System for chocolate balls

Since 2003, we have implemented several automation solutions for the handling of counter moulds for a large international confectionery company. Each of these consists of a circulating conveyor system between the processing line and the packaging area, a gondola buffer system in the function of an "intermediate buffer" as well as a distribution and feeding system. Meanwhile 14 of these systems are in operation at various locations worldwide for our customer.

Each of these lines were adapted to the local conditions, whereby both the transport routes and the gondola buffers were designed specifically for the project. Accessibility to the various plant areas was ensured by the appropriate choice of routing and conveyor heights, in some cases by suspending individual transport routes from the ceiling. Depending on the room height and the desired storage capacity, the buffers were individually adapted in terms of height and length and in addition, air conditioning of the interior of the buffer was integrated at some locations.

• Takeover of spherical chocolate products from the moulding line and placement in counter moulds.
• Product flow regulation and intermediate storage of the products by means of a gondola buffer system.
• Ensuring accessibility to all packaging machines for operating personnel and materials.
• Distribution system to allocate the filled counter moulds to several packaging machines as required, including metal detection with associated rejection.
• Transfer of the chocolate products to the packaging machines and return of the empty counter moulds to the moulding line.
• During the return transport, the counter moulds are checked for complete emptying and, if necessary, any products that have not been transferred are rejected.