Digitisation has the potential to revolutionise almost every aspect of the food industry, comments Glen Koster, Area Sales Manager, Bühler Johannesburg. “Harnessing the power of digital technology means we can address vital issues such as food safety, transparency along the value chain, energy conservation and waste reduction more efficiently than ever before.”
Thus, the all-new Arrakis MRRK roller mill from Bühler has a host of new features and improvements. In line with the trend for increased digitisation and automation, the roller mill has state-of-the-art hardware and software for smoother production and enhanced operational efficiency.
In terms of the latest innovations incorporated in the Arrakis, the feeding unit provides a continuous product flow and ensures an even spread of product to the grinding rolls. This is important because feeding is a crucial step in the grinding process. The design has been kept deliberately simple, with no need for an additional motor and frequency converter due to the fixed-speed feeding roll being connected directly to the main roll’s drive.
“This straightforward system ensures that less time is spent on installation and maintenance,” says Koster. “The heart of Arrakis is its grinding unit, a true pillar you can rely on thanks to its stable grinding performance.
“In addition, Arrakis uses a proven loadcell sensor to keep a constant product level in the inlet and adapts the feeding gap to ensure a stable product flow over the entire gap of the grinding rolls. This increases operational reliability and minimises the need for operator intervention.
When the machine is not in operation, the feeding gap is closed automatically, preventing any accumulation of product between the rolls. This saves you time and energy when restarting Arrakis. A quick release function allows fast opening of the feed module.
Thanks to its wide opening angle, the cleaning flap ensures the rapid discharge of any product remaining in the feed module. These design features save time by greatly simplifying cleaning operations, streamlining all the required steps.
The new solid synthetic scraper hovers tightly over the rolls to replace the bristle brushes. The scraper experiences up to three times less wear and eliminates the risk of product accumulation. This results in improved food safety and decreased maintenance.
The flexible knife holder allows the knives to align themselves to the surface of the rolls automatically by constantly applying optimal pressure, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. The blade also undergoes uniform and therefore reduced wear.
The integrated grinding gap adjustment is stripped down to its essential parts for a simplified design that facilitates cleaning and maintenance. The patented grinding gap adjustment ensures rigidity and stability over time to maximise grinding performance.
In terms of state-of-the-art control, Arrakis has an intuitive interface that provides a quick, simple overview of key operating parameters. Accessible in English and Chinese, it makes controlling and monitoring Arrakis straightforward. The integrated touchscreen is available as an optional extra and is not essential to control the roller mill.
“Safety is our top priority, and Arrakis integrates several protective features to ensure safety without hindering performance,” says Koster. Perforated side panels allow for quick and safe inspection of Arrakis while the machine is running. An added bonus is improved cooling by means of optimised airflow. Safety grids protect roller mill operators from moving parts while affording them optimal access for product sampling.
Looking at the sturdy design of the Arrakis, the robust casting frame with the load-carrying structure translates into a high vibration absorption. This durability ensures reliability for long operating periods. Arrakis is built to the same footprint as MDDK, ensuring that one-to-one replacements are possible.
Installation is fast and simple with no need to adapt the flowsheet or extend the existing building.
The Arrakis MRRK forms part of Bühler’s extensive roller mill and integrated grinding system portfolio. It includes the Dolomit MDDP/Q, the Diorit MDDY/Z, the Antares MDDR/T and the Arrius MRRA. “The Arrakis MRRK roller mill represents the successor to a milling icon,” concludes Koster.
Media contacts:
Taryn Browne, Head of Marketing, Southern Africa
Bühler (Pty) Ltd.
Bühler Southern Africa
Phone: +27 11 801 3500
Mobile: +27 66 307 4618
E-mail: taryn.browne@buhlergroup.com
Burkhard Böndel, Head of Corporate Communications
Bühler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Switzerland
Phone: +41 71 955 33 99
Mobile: +41 79 515 91 57
E-mail: burkhard.boendel@buhlergroup.com
Dalen Jacomino Panto, Media Relations Manager
Bühler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Switzerland
Phone: +41 71 955 37 57
Mobile: +41 79 900 53 88
E-mail: dalen.jacomino_panto@buhlergroup.com
Katja Hartmann, Media Relations Manager
Bühler AG, 9240 Uzwil, Schweiz
Mobile: +41 79 483 68 07
E-mail: katja.hartmann@buhlergroup.com
About Bühler
Bühler is driven by its purpose of creating innovations for a better world, balancing the needs of economy, humanity, and nature in all its decision-making processes. Billions of people come into contact with Bühler technologies as they cover their basic needs for food and mobility every day. Two billion people each day enjoy foods produced on Bühler equipment; and one billion people travel in vehicles manufactured using parts produced with Bühler solutions. Countless people wear eyeglasses, use smart phones, and read newspapers and magazines – all of which depend on Bühler process technologies and solutions. Having this global relevance, Bühler is in a unique position to turn today’s global challenges into sustainable business.
As a technology partner for the food, feed, and mobility industries, Bühler has committed to having solutions ready to multiply by 2025 that reduce energy, waste, and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers. It also proactively collaborates with suppliers to reduce climate impacts throughout the value chain. In its own operations, Bühler has developed a pathway to achieve a 60% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (Greenhouse Gas Protocol Scopes 1 & 2, against a 2019 baseline).
Bühler spends up to 5% of turnover on research and development annually to improve both the commercial and sustainability performance of its solutions, products, and services. In 2023, some 12,500 employees generated a turnover of CHF 3.0 billion. As a Swiss family-owned company with a history spanning 164 years, Bühler is active in 140 countries around the world and operates a global network of 105 service stations, 30 manufacturing sites, and Application & Training Centers in 25 locations.
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All-new Arrakis MRRK roller mill from Bühler has a host of new features and improvements
All-new Arrakis MRRK roller mill from Bühler has a host of new features and improvements
Glen Koster, Area Sales Manager at Bühler Johannesburg
Glen Koster, Area Sales Manager at Bühler Johannesburg
The Arrakis MRRK forms part of Bühler’s extensive roller mill and integrated grinding system portfolio
The Arrakis MRRK forms part of Bühler’s extensive roller mill and integrated grinding system portfolio - Digitisation to enhance the food sector_approved
Digitisation to enhance the food sector_approved
Digitisation to enhance the food sector_approved
