Tailor-made solutions for sliced meat on show at IFFA

At this year’s IFFA in Frankfurt, the MULTIVAC Group will be showing how sliced products can be processed efficiently and cost-effectively with line solutions in different output categories. Among the exhibits on display will be a high-output slicing line for processing raw ham products, as well as a flexible slicing line, which was specially developed for standard diameter products.

One of the highlights will be a high-output slicing line for raw ham products, which is designed for efficiency. A new function of MULTIVAC Line Control (MLC), so-called 'Uninterrupted product change', enables operators to change seamlessly between different items during running operation — without having to interrupt production or run the line empty. This is claimed to enable downtime to be reduced by up to 95%. At the same time, resources can be used more efficiently, since product loss as well as the consumption of film, labels and energy are all minimised. All the modules in the line are automatically adjusted to the new item — from slicing through to feeding product to packaging and labelling machines, and right up to quality inspection. This minimises manual intervention, while also reducing the risk of errors.

The line is designed to be easy to use and particularly sustainable, for example, with regard to the packaging material used (recyclable mono films). Thanks to the ‘Consumption monitoring’ feature, the consumption of compressed air, coolant, energy and packaging material is captured throughout the entire line, and this can be evaluated in real time. This means that creeping over-consumption of resources can be detected at an early stage.

Whereas traditionally for the slicing of products there is a freezing process with a high level of energy use, the MULTIVAC slicer technology is able to slice at higher product temperatures. By spraying tiny amounts of vegetable oil as a food release spray between the slices, using the MULTIVAC Sustainable Liquid Interleaver, it is possible to dispense completely with the usual interleaving films.

When it comes to slicing standard diameter products and packaging them in thermoformed packs, MULTIVAC will be presenting a flexible line designed for efficiency. The slicer can provide slicing quality, even without blast freezing the crust — and therefore can provide energy savings. One of the main features of the line is its simplicity in terms of operation, cleaning and maintenance. This compact line solution for standard diameter products, such as salami or cooked sausage, is designed to deliver high output on a small footprint.