Slice and Dice: The Art of Precision in Potato Cutting
At the heart of precision cutting in potato processing lines lies the meticulous calibration of cutting equipment. Industrial-scale potato processors heavily rely on specialized machinery designed to handle vast quantities of potatoes with consistency and speed.
Machines, ranging from slicers to dicers and cutters, are engineered with precision in mind, boasting specific blade configurations and cutting mechanisms tailored to different processing requirements. Moreover, factors such as blade sharpness, alignment, and speed control are meticulously optimized to ensure uniformity in cut dimensions, thereby minimizing product variability.
Nevertheless, the pursuit of cutting accuracy on an industrial scale is not devoid of challenges. Variability in potato characteristics, ranging from size and shape to moisture content, poses inherent complexities in achieving uniform cuts consistently. Additionally, the demand for customization and adaptability to evolving market trends requires continuous innovation and optimization of cutting processes and equipment.
Urschel: Faster, Accurate, High-Speed Potato Slicing
Since the introduction of the CC Slicer in 1959, the slicer has evolved to meet the changing demands of the popular chipping industry. While the operating principle has remained constant, the cuts, machine construction and capabilities continue to advance. Latest improvements include the MicroAdjustable® SL-14 (slicing) and SH-14 (shredding) Heads. SL-14 heads have been greatly accepted by the potato chip industry.
According to the company, customers have reacted very positively to the higher capacity SL-14 and SH-14 style CC heads. Different shapes are available including Z-cut slices, Crinkle, V, and flat slices; small 1.8 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3.2 mm V and reduced V shreds, oval shreds, julienne sticks, Flat V®, and hexagonal sticks.
The SL-14, 14-station cutting head, over the 8 shoe cutting head offers many benefits: more precise slicing, quick change over of knives, light weight, and higher yield with less product loss.
Setting the SL14 head is extremely simple and can be achieved with a single setting of each knife, the setting will also not shift during production. Knife life on the 14-station heads has increased dramatically resulting in reduced costs for the customer.
Each time an Urschel customer purchases a SL-14 head to replace a pre-existing 8 shoe head; the customer inevitably mentions that the head almost sells itself because of the obvious benefits and switching to the SL-14 was a wise business decision.
The .212 V MicroAdjustable SL-14 Heads incorporate SlideLocc® technology. This patented design incorporates a simple, fast knife-clamp operation that enables a wide hinge opening. A great asset when it comes to cleaning behind the clamp.
To read the complete article, please refer to our latest March-April 2024 print issue of Potato Processing International.
