Automated cake cutting from Tectra Automation

Tectra Automation engineered a unique automated cake cutting system for Brenell Quality Desserts in Pietermaritzburg.

The company’s previous solution for cake cutting was a manual process and it now sought an automated solution that would be more productive, faster, more precise, and could cut more than one cake at a time. Tectra Automation, along with Ultrasonic Systems designed and manufactured the automated turnkey solution.

The new automated system uses an ultrasonic, vibrating blade to perfectly cut one cake in under one minute. The ultrasonic cutter vibrates 40 000 times a second, resulting in not only fast cutting but also highly precise, non-damaging cutting within the very high food and beverage industry safety standards.

“The new system positions, cuts and portions two cakes in less than a minute – a massive time saving for the client,” says Nico Davies, Mechatronics Engineer at Tectra Automation. Once the cake is positioned, a live curtain is activated for worker safety and the ultrasonic blade is cleaned after every cycle.

The solution used Bosch Rexroth 4-axis linear motions products, Aventics pneumatic clamping systems, a Bosch Rexroth aluminium profile, and control system to achieve a fully automated and scalable system for the client.

“Using virtual meeting platforms, we worked very closely with the customer and Ultrasonic Systems throughout the design, production and FAT processes,” says Davies. “The lockdown didn’t slow our processes at all and we met all project timelines.”

“With such a wide range of Bosch Rexroth products and Tectra Automation’s collaboration with expert suppliers like Ultrasonic Systems, we are able to create a truly customised, turnkey solution drawing on a bouquet of premium-quality international brands,” Davies concludes.

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