How We Started
Sormac New Equipment
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1.
Belt washer
- 2. Air drying tunnel
- 3. Carrot baton machine
- 4. Carrot topper
- 5. Centrifuge
- 6. Fruit washer
- 7. knife peeler
- 8. Onion peeler manual positioning
- 9. Onion peeler semi-automatic positioning
- 10. Automatic onion peeling machine
- 11. Screw de-stoner
- 2. Air drying tunnel
Somac is a leading supplier o patented machines for the fresh processing of a large diversity of agricultural products such as
| - Potatoes | - Cucumber |
| - Onions | - Leafy Vegetables |
| - Carrots | - Bell Poppers |
More than 90 year experience in the field of machine construction, technological know-how and knowledge of the worldwide agricultural industry is the foundation of the extended delivery programme of Sormac BV.
Belt washer
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The belt washer is suitable for sanitising all vegetables and washing of carrots, celeriac and fruit.
Capacity
The capacity is dependent on the type of product and the desired cleaning intensity.
Features
- Multi functional mobile washer
- Mull stainless steel construction and FDA approved parts
- Variable belt speed to control washing
- Easy access for sanitation control
Scope of supply
- One pump
- Electrical equipment
- Belt tension/release system
Operating Principle
The belt washer type BW-60 is made for washing of vegetables and fruit in small and medium-sized quantities. The product is loaded onto the interwoven mesh belt and transported through the tunnel. Inside the tunnel there are belt sprinklers / nozzles which are mounted underneath and above the belt, which produce an intensive washing action over the product.In the first section the product is thoroughly washed with recirculated water. In the second section the product is rinsed with fresh water. Dwell times can be altered through a variable speed motor which can deliver parameters from 2.6 and 14 m/min. The machine is almost completely manufactured of stainless steel and is fully mobile mounted on stainless steel castors. The washing process can be continually viewed through a polycarbonate window. The water re-circulation tank and pump system can be easily accessed and drained through a large inspection door.
| Voltage: | 230 / 400 V, 50/60 Hz |
| Total installed power: | 6,25 KW |
| Weight: | approx. 500 kg |
| Dimensions (LxWxH): | 3.200 x 1.100 x 1.300 mm |
| Feeding-in height | 900 mm ± 100 mm |
| Belt length: | 3.200 mm |
| Length washing section: | 2.000 mm |
| Belt width: | 600 mm |
| Belt speed: | 2.6 – 14 m/min. continuous adjustable |
Air drying tunnel
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Product specification
The air drying tunnel is suitable for leafy vegetables e.g. lettuce, baby leaf, spinach, cut cabbage etc.
Capacity
The capacity is dependent on factors and variations of product moisture content before drying and the desired moisture content. There have been constructed tunnels from 1.000 kg/h to 3.000 kg/h.
Features
- Very gentle handling at volume production
- Suitable for delicate products
- Low end moisture can achievable
- No energy discharge into the adjacent surroundings
Scope of supply
- double transport belt
- two heat exchangers
- ventilators / fans
- housing
- electrical control system
Options
- cooling system with warm and cold water tank
- pre-moisture by means of centrifuge or de-watering belt
- cooling section on exit
Operating principle
To create a fresh appearance and assist extended shelf life of all leaf products (i.e. lettuce) it is most important to control the exact level of moisture prior to packing . The Sormac air drying tunnel LDT is the very latest in’ State of the Art ‘technology and is especially effective on delicate specialised baby leaf as well as robust varieties such as Iceberg and Romaine. The production process prior to the drying tunnel requires the product to be de-watered sufficiently with an air venturi system which removes the majority of the free water, the product is transported through the system on a special de-watering belt which delivers the product directly into the main drying tunnel. In the drying tunnel the product is dried in an upwards directed air stream which passes through the transporting belt. The air temperature of 25 – 30º C which is maintained by the plc programming directs thewarm air to flow through the product at a regulated speed. The selected air speed ensures optimal contact with the product at all times. The air stream that is in circulation through the product absorbs moisture from the surface of the lettuce and is cooled down in a heat exchanger at a temperature of approx. 6º C. The cold air passes over the heat exchanger (cold) removing the moisture by means of condensation on the cold plates. The cooled drier air continues in the re-circulation mode and is then re-heated through the second heat exchanger up to approx. 25º C, so that the relative air moisture is lowered. During the drying process the product begins to cool down, because of the vaporization of the surface water on the product. The cooling down and warming up of the air is controlled through the PLC by very accurate water temperature control. There are various permutations and options available for the cooling installations which can take into account existing facilities. The air drying tunnel moisture settings can achieve less than 2% on the surface of the product. The advantage of the air drying tunnel in comparison with other Thermally Heated Systems is that no heat and moisture is given to the surroundings factory controlled atmosphere.
Carrot baton machine
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The minimum and maximum diameter and length of the carrots are depending from the type of turret wheel which has been installed (hole diameter and baton length).
Capacity
- The maximum capacity is 3,600 carrots/hour.
- Features
- Simple and robust construction
- Several cutting grids available
- Simple operation
Scope of supply
- Turret wheel with 50 mm hole diameter
- Cutting grids 7.5 x 7.5 mm and 10 x 10 mm
- Wheel section for baton
length 2 x 75 mm
Options
- Turret wheels with hole diameters: 40 or 60 mm
- wheel sections for baton lenght: 3 x 40 mm, 3 x 50 mm or 2 x 60 mm
- different cutting grid sizes
- sliver remover to separate small pieces from the batons
Principle of Operation
The semi-automatic carrot baton machine type WSM cuts batons in length and cross section sizes according to customer’s specification.
The machine is very easy to operate. Carrots are manually fed into the receiving holes in the turret wheel. The carrot is aligned for topping and slicing by an alignment plate behind the turret wheel.
The turret wheel rotates at one hole every second, each hole containing one carrot. The carrot is topped, tailed and sliced into the set length. In the next step the carrot is pressed through the grid to give a carrot baton of the desired cross section size.
The turret wheel is available in different hole sizes and section sizes. The indexing holes can be 40, 50 or 60 mm in diameter, depending on the grade of carrots being used. The wheel sections are dependent on the required length of the baton. Wheels for 40, 50, 60 or 75 mm are available. Usually for carrot batons a 7.5 x 7.5 mm or 10 x 10 mm grid is used. Various other options are available at request.
Voltage: 230/400 V, 50 Hz Total installed power: 0.75 KW Maximum carrot diameter: 55 mm (depending from installed turret wheel) Maximum carrot length: 230 mm Weight: 95 kg Dimensions (WxDxH): 900 x 1,100 x 1,350 mm
Carrot Topper
The WO-1 processes carrots with a diameter of 30 to 75 mm and a maximum length of 380 mm.
Capacity
The capacity of the WO-1 is approx. 60 carrots per minute.
Features
- Adjustable topping control
- Hygienic design, easy to clean and disinfect
- Heavy duty construction
Principle of Operation
The Sormac carrot topper WO-1 consists of a flighted transport belt, and a shaft with a rotating knife for topping the carrot. The machine is mounted with the control panel on a solid movable frame. The operating personnel place the carrots on the transport belt against the guide plate. The guide plate can easily be adjusted to suit variety differences when more or less topping is required. The transport belt conveys the carrots to the rotating knife, where they are topped. The tops are separately transported away from.
Voltage: 230/400 V, 50/60 Hz Total installed power: 0.8 KW Weight: approx. 280 kg Dimensions (LxWxH): 2.000 x 830 x 1.570 mm Belt height: 1.000 mm (adjustable +/- 100 mm)
Centrifuge
The centrifuge is suitable for drying of all kind of leaf, prepared vegetables and herbs.
Capacity
The capacity of the centrifuge is wholly dependent on the product, the moisture retention and the desired moisture level. Capacities up to 1.500 kg/hr are achievable in average operational circumstances.
Features
- Simple unique construction of the machine with a heavy duty drive
- Air pressure cleaning system for short cycle cleaning
- Continuous product delivery to and from the centrifuge
- Ease of access for cleaning
Principle of Operation
This revolutionary new centrifuge design concept delivers the ultimate control for the drying of delicate salad leaves, standard lettuce varieties, prepared vegetables and delicate herbs. The drum has a completely smooth inner surface without a central axle or other contact parts which could directly damage the product. The patented drive with magnetic bearing support delivers an almost silent operational sequence cycle.
The product to be dried is very gently delivered into the drum during its slow revolution sequence. This infeed system ensures the minimal movement of the product as it is layered equally over the whole circumference of the centrifuge drum. On completion of the filling cycle the drum accelerates to the pre-set optimal rotating speed to suit the specific product to be dried, when the timed spin cycle, which is also variable in conjunction with the rotational speed is completed the drum automatically slows down and the product very gently gravitates to the discharge conveyor.
During this part of the production cycle the centrifuge drum turns very slowly and activates a high pressure air knife which cleans all residual particles of leaf out of the drum.
The continuous production cycle immediately continues without interruption and the infeed charge conveyor re-fills the drum. The unique construction of the centrifuge minimizes product damage because of the spacious drum dimension and the controlled layer thickness of the product which eliminates product pressure during the spin cycle. There are facilities for 4 operational product programmes in the control panel.
Voltage: 230/400 V, 3 phase, 50/60 Hz Total installed power: 3 kW Weight: ± 900 kg Dimensions (L x W x H): 1.750 x 1.800 x 2.100 (excluding dosing belt)
Fruit washer
Floating and sinking products i.e. apples, peaches, plums, melons etc. up to a maximum diameter of 250 mm.
Capacity
The capacity is dependent on the type of product, the dimensions and the desired dwell time.
Features
- Multi functional
- Intensive cleaning and sanitising action
- Hygienic construction
- Simple operation
Options
- Alternative dwell times individual design format
- Scope of supply
- Washer with paddles, bottom conveyor, outfeed belt and air system water reservoir re-circulation with pump and filter screen control panel
- Simple operation
Principle of Operation
The fruit washer FW-100 is made for cleaning and sanitising of fruit.All fruit with either positive or negative buoyancy can be processed.The product is assisted through the washer by the water stream in combination with the variable speed compartmental paddle system. This system is driven through two plastic chains mounted along the side of the washer with connecting spaced transverse paddles. The dwell time can be adjusted between 1.5 and 5 minutes. The paddles can also be demounted for a free un-interrupted flow. The modular conveyor belt mounted above the bottom of the tank allows the negative buoyancy products a controlled transportation through the washer upto the discharge elevator. To assist the standard washing action there is a special air agitation system which intensifies the washing/cleaning result.The water is collected in a separate tank with pump and sieve, prior to the circulation.
Voltage: 230/400 V, 50/60 Hz Total installed power: 5.74 KW Weight: ±1500 kg Dimensions (LxWxH): * Machine: 2.000 x 830 x 1.570 mm m * Waterreservoir: 2.000 x 1.400 x 750 mm
Knife peeler
The knife peeler KP-60 is suitable for processing of carrots, salad cucumbers, mouly etc. The product diameter needs to be between 15 – 60 mm. The minimum length should be 150 mm.
Capacity
Based on manual infeed approx. 2.000 – 2.500 pcs/hr. When using the V-belt (option) you can reach a capacity of approx. 4.500 - 5.000 pcs/hr.
Features
- Totally dry peeling
- Perfect peeling quality (as if peeled by hand)
- Smooth peeled surface for extended shelf life
- Solid dry waste, easy to handle
- Hygienic design (easy to clean and disinfect)
- Simple operation
- Extremely durable, hard-wearing and reliable
- Ease of access
Scope of Supply
- control panel
- 4 coarse peeling stations (G), 4 medium peeling stations (M)
- product infeed table
Options
V-belt or other combination of peeling stations
Principle of Operation
The knife peeler KP-60 is suitable for peeling long-shaped products such as carrots, salad cucumbers, mouly etc. The product to be peeled is placed on the infeed table and manually moved into the first pair of transport rollers, or onto the V-belt (option).
The machine is equipped with nine pairs of transport rollers, which convey the product horizontally through the peeling machine. Pneumatic pressure holds the product in place as it is driven through the 8 knife holders, which are placed at different angles and peel the product on all sides along the circumference.
The knife holders and the transport rollers are equipped with a quick release system, which allows easy removal for replacement or cleaning etc.
The pneumatic pressure to the rollers is fully adjustable to suit variations in product sizes, this is easily accessible on the control panel. The peeling waste is delivered through a waste chute beneath the machine.
Voltage: 230/400 V, 50/60 Hz Total installed power: 0.55 kW without V-belt, 0.73 kW with V-belt Air pressure: 6 bar Air consumption: ± 4 NI/min Weight: ± 195 kg (incl. V-belt) Dimensions (LxWxH): 1.900 x 850 x 1.450 mm without V-belt 2.500 x 850 x 1.450 mm with V-belt
Manual Positioning Onion Peeler
The USM-60 can peel onions with a diameter of 40 – 140 mm, divided in 3 size ranges with each own pockets:
- 40 – 60 mm
- 55 – 100 mm (standard model)
- 80 – 140 mm
Capacity
Depending on diameter, shape and quality the peeler has the potential to handle max. 3.600 onions per hour.
Features
- Competitive price / performance relation
- Perfect peeling quality
- Complete dry peeling
- Longer shelf life
- High yield (little waste)
- hygienic design (easy to clean and disinfect)
- Extremely durable, hard-wearing and reliable
- knives with extended life-span
- Ease of access
Principle of Operation
The onions are positioned by hand out of the hopper in the right horizontal position onto the flights of the transport chain.
The onions are topped and tailed by means of specially manufactured rotating knives followed by front and back scoring with controlled depth blades. The transport chain with the longitudinal scored, topped and tailed onions transfers these to the rotating peeling section.
This transfer is executed by two arms with rotating holders which pick up the onions from the rotating wheel. The entire circumference of the onion is then scored and the outer skin blown off in a controlled manner. The peeled onions and loose skins are separately by means of an air-stream mounted at the discharge end of the machine.
Depending on the product quality, the topping, tailing and scoring knives can be manually adjusted in advance to suit the required peeling result and the recovery rate. A waste container or elevator can be positioned below the machine to collect the peeling waste. The machine is standard equipped with electrical panel and all necessary safety provisions according to CE-regulation.
Voltage: 230/400 V, 3 phase, 50/60 Hz Total installed power: 3.37 kW Air pressure: 6 bar (dry air) Air consumption: approx. 1,2 Nm3/min Weight: 750 kg Dimensions (LxWxH): 3.690 x 1.150 x 2.415 mm
Semi-Automatic Positioning Onion peeler
The USM-X100 can peel onions with a diameter of 40 - 140 mm, divided in 3 size with each own pockets:
- 40 – 60 mm
- 55 – 100 mm (standard model)
- 80 – 140 mm
Capacity
Depending on diameter, shape and quality the peeler has the potential to handle up to 4.800 – 6.000 onions per hour, positioned by one person.
Features
- Perfect peeling quality
- Complete dry peeling
- High yield (little waste)
- hygienic design (easy to clean and disinfect)
- Extremely durable, hard-wearing and reliable
- low energy and air consumption
- Ease of access
Options
- Transport chains for different onion grads
- Direct mounted inspection table
- Operators platform
Principle of Operation
The Sormac onion peeler USM-X100 combines easy operator use with a good reliability. The operator has within reach a rotating, mounted display panel with all the important functions at there disposal. Also shown is important information like capacity, number of peeled onions, operating hours and malfunction identification. By means of a singulating chain the onions are transported from the infeed hopper and positioned onto the flights of the transport chain. The operator places the onions in the right horizontal position. The rotating knives top, tail and cutting arms make a horizontal cut around the onions.
At the end of the conveying section the onions are picked up with a double holding-arm system with rotating holders. This arm is fitted on a rotating structure. During the rotating movement the onion spins around its own axis, whereby a cut over the complete circumference is made. The depth of the cut is also adjustable. During the cutting air is blown into the cut to remove the skin.
For adapting the machine to different onion diameters several adjustments are provided. These can mostly be made from outside, even during operation, by means of a hand wheel.
The Sormac air saving technique which is used in the USM-X100, takes care of low energy consumption in combination with a higher peeling quality.
Voltage: 230/400 V, 3 phase, 50/60 Hz Total installed power: 2.3 kW Air pressure: 6 bar (dry air) Air consumption: approx. 1,2 Nm3/min Weight: 750 kg Dimensions (LxWxH): ± 5.600 x 1.150 x 2.000 mm
Automatic Onion Peeling Machine
The USM-100A can peel onions with a diameter of 60 – 105 mm. The machine is developed for standard round onions (not long-shaped or flat-shaped) with a definable root plate and top section.
Capacity
Depending on the quality of the onions, the peeler can handle up to 100 onions per minute.
Features
- Almost no manual process required
- perfect peeling quality; very clean topping and tailing by means of rotating knives
- high yield (reduced waste)
- knives with extended life-span
Principle of Operation
The onions are delivered into the reception hopper of the machine where they are singulated and then elevated onto the automatic positioning system, which places the orientated onions onto the stabilizing holders of the in-feed transport chain. The onions are topped and tailed by means of rotating knives and then scored front and back.
Following the topping and tailing operation the onions are transferred automatically onto the rotary external skin removal system which cuts an equatorial incision at the same time as the air lifts the outer skin away from the onion. The fully peeled onion and loose skins are separated by means of a reverse air stream at the front of the machine.
The knives of the topping and tailing section can be fully adjusted depending on product quality, the desired peeling result and the acceptable percentage waste.
To collect the peeling waste, an optional collection belt or conveyor can be installed beneath the machine.
Voltage: 400 V, 3 phase, 50/60 Hz Total installed power: 4.8 kW Air pressure: 6 bar (dry air) Air consumption: approx. 1,2 Nm3/min Weight: ± 900 kg Dimensions (LxWxH): ± 6.100 mm x 1.150 mm x 1.750 mm - ± 2.335 mm
Screw de-stoner
With the screw de-stoner SO products like potatoes and carrots with a diameter of max. 200 mm can be processed.
Capacity
The capacity of the machine depends on the size of the product, and can be max. 5 tons/hour.
Features
- Simple and effective
- No damage to the product
- Low water consumption ( approx. 100 l per 1.000 kg)
- Extremely durable, hard wearing and reliable
- Ease of access for cleaning
Options
- Sieve bottom for separation of stones and sand, with man hold cover
- Collection bin for sand
Principle of Operation
The screw de-stoner can be used in conjunction with all root crops. The integration of this system into a processing line dramatically reduces the potential for extreme wear and tear to associated equipment further along the installation. The screw de-stoner is constructed with a circular reception hopper with a vertical transport screw. The screw is driven by a reduction gearbox.
The circular water filled hopper receives the product to be de-stoned and in combination with the rotational action of the vertical screw auger draws the water and crop gently up the tube supported by the regular closed screw. The rotational action raises the product allowing the water to gravitate down the side of the auger. Heavy particles with negative buoyancy fall back into the base of the circular hopper where they can be collected for removal through an inspection door. Clean product (without stones) are transported out off the upper side of the transport screw.
Voltage: 230/400 V, 3 phase, 50/60 Hz Total installed power: 3 kW Weight: ± 900 kg Dimensions (DxH): 1.500 x 3.200 mm