Delivering high capacity cutting for pre-cut fruit and vegetables

Urschel is the industry leader in size-reduction equipment for the food industry.

Pre-cut fruits and vegetables are becoming more popular as busy lifestyles are driving consumers to seek more convenient food options. They offer a quick and easy solution for healthy eating, whether that be as alternatives to processed snacks, or through pre-mixed cut vegetables for specific recipes — and consumers are willing to pay more for these products.

In the Australian market, there is a wide variety of pre-cut vegetables and fruit available, catering to different culinary needs and preferences. Common vegetable examples include salad mixes, vegetable stir-fry mixes, soup mixes, root vegetables for roasting, and pre-chopped onions and garlic. Fruit salad mixes, pre-cut melons and sliced mango and pineapple are also gaining in popularity.

Industrial cutting equipment plays a crucial role in the food industry, providing the means to precisely slice, dice, cut, granulate and shred various food products. This size reduction equipment is essential for preparing ingredients to specific size requirements, ensuring uniformity, and optimising the efficiency of subsequent processing.

Industry-leading size reduction equipment allows food processors to create popular and innovative cuts that consumers frequently encounter. These cuts can be seen in the fresh produce section of supermarkets, and in meals served at restaurants and fast-food outlets, making them familiar to consumers.

Urschel a global leader in size reduction

Urschel is widely recognised as a pioneer in food cutting technology, with its equipment used by food processors worldwide. In Australia, they are exclusively represented by Heat and Control, a company with over 70 years of experience in helping customers select the right equipment for their needs. For those interested in Urschel equipment, Heat and Control offers a free test cut of the product to determine the best Urschel machine for the production line — a valuable service that can provide a competitive edge before committing to a purchase.

The DiversaCut® series includes three models: the DiversaCut 2110A, the DiversaCut 2110A with Large Product Input, and the DiversaCut 2110A with a built-in discharge conveyor. The 2110A is the largest machine in the series, capable of handling products up to 254 mm in any dimension. The Large Product Input model can process items as large as a full head of cabbage, or up to 356 mm in diameter. Additionally, the model with a built-in discharge conveyor offers more efficient product handling. The equipment is ideal for high-volume fruit and vegetable processors, providing versatility to produce various cuts, to meet demand from consumers and retailers alike.

TranSlicer: high-capacity slicing

The Urschel TranSlicer® 2510 is known for revolutionising the commercial fresh-cut salad industry with its high-capacity shredding and slicing capabilities. The specialised slicer processes a wide variety of fresh, large produce at high speeds and with exceptional sanitation. It is particularly effective for slicing leafy vegetables, cucumbers, carrots, and similar fresh produce items.

Operators can easily adjust the slicer to create slices in different styles and thicknesses, for example flat, crinkle, julienne, and shreds. It handles produce up to 200 mm in diameter, with the larger model processing compressible products up to 203 mm or firm products up to 171 mm. A subsequent model, the TranSlicer® 2520 Cutter has quickly become an industry favourite among food processors for its high-quality slicing of large volumes and an improved washdown efficiency, which is saving users an average of 25 minutes during washdown.

Food hygiene and maintenance

All equipment from Urschel is designed with ease of sanitation and maintenance in mind. It features stainless steel construction that is corrosion-resistant and easy to clean. Sloped surfaces prevent bacterial growth, and hinged access panels allow for straightforward maintenance. An innovative design approach includes a ‘sanitary zone’ design, which keeps mechanical components separate from the food zone, enabling high-pressure washdowns.

Sustainability and efficiency

The TranSlicer and DiversaCut machines are available with high-efficiency motors and variable frequency drives, for maximum energy efficiency and accurate speed control.

The machines are also available with a modern HMI option that allows the system to record maintenance and operational data, and receive recipes to assist operators in setting the machine’s parameters for each batch. Recipes advise the operator on the selection and adjustment of cutting wheels and blades, as well as optimal belt and cutting speed.

Blade changeovers are hassle free and can be achieved in 2–4 minutes, and cut thickness is easily adjusted by a simple knob adjustment.

Machines can be supplied with or without casters for easy mobility in and out of production as needed. Alternatively, they can be permanently mounted with infeed and outfeed chutes for integration into production lines.

Longevity and support

Urschel size reduction machines are well-known for their durability, with many machines in Australia racking up a service life measured in decades. But no matter the age of the machine, new food product options can be supported at any time with the supply of new cutting sets.

Urschel machines are supported Australia-wide by Heat and Control Pty Ltd and have been for over 50 years. With offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, cutting sets and spare parts are supplied locally from stock for all models.

For more information, visit: www.heatandcontrol.com.

Top image credit: iStock.com/FotografiaBasica