Carl Zeiss Microscopy Atline / Online / Inline Solutions for Quality and Process Control of Grain, Flour and Meat

Carl Zeiss provides very robust and easy to use devices with NIR technology for the quality control of the incoming grain, barley, corn, wheat, flour and so on in silo installations or mills.

Diode array spectrometer for process control

There are two possibilities to do an inspection. First we offer a process spectrometer which is based on diode array technology. The CORONA PLUS is optimal for the measurement of the ingredients and colour of bulk materials in pipes or chain conveyers. The compact, light and robust spectrometer can be installed in each production line very easily. The optical design enables very short measurement times and provides constant monitoring, for example, of the flour milling process, and provides real-time results to the control system so that adjustments to the process can be made immediately.

The CORONA PLUS is used in the flour milling industry for the analysis of the milling process to manage flour quality for moisture, protein and ash concentrations. The process specifications on these parameters are rigid to maximise product yield.

Diode array spectrometer for quality control

For the sub-sample testing of the incoming goods we offer the CORONA PLUS in combination with a TURNSTEP, which can also be used for analysis in a laboratory environment. This combination permits large quantities of samples to be measured in the laboratory within a short period of time, leading to a reduction of sampling errors. This means that quality-critical parameters of the constituents used for beverages and other foodstuffs can be measured with higher accuracy — an essential requirement for ensuring constant quality of the end product.

Another advantage is that for the process control and the sub-sample testing the same device can be used. This possibility enables even comparable results and it can be used with the same calibration in the laboratory as well as in the process control, monitoring and optimisation. This combination is designed for the reduction of measuring errors in the case of inhomogeneous sample material.

Diode array spectrometer for ingredient measurement

For quality monitoring during the production of food we offer the MCS 600 spectrometer with the distance measurement probe ARMOR, which is designed for the contact-free in-line measurement of ingredients (protein, fat, water, etc.) of different products on a belt conveyer or in a cutter. A special feature of the ARMOR measurement probe is the automatic reference system which permits precise measurements even if there are large distances between the measuring probe and the sample material. This allows measurements to be performed in areas where an even mound height of the sample material cannot be ensured.

Meat product analysis

A really good application is also the meat industry. This has also seen an increased concentration of production capacities accompanied by every increasing production output. These processes go hand in hand with the new demands being placed on production quality and the requirement for 100% traceability of all raw materials and other ingredients. To achieve these requirements measurements and analytical methods are needed which guarantee uninterrupted product analysis in the manufacturing process. The results obtained must be immediately available as the control parameters for process optimisation. The aim is to achieve consistent product quality while ensuring the whole manufacturing process is fully documented.

The MCS 600 with the ARMOR measurement probe is the optimal solution for these demands. The extremely fast measurement times in the millisecond range provide continuous monitoring of the fast product flows. In addition, the mechanical properties and the protection level also allow its usage in the meat industry. Parameters like fat, protein, water, lean meat protein content (Beffe) as well as the ph-value can be measured to indicate the quality of the ingredients. The user-friendly software enables integration into existing production control systems and optimisation interfaces.