Crimped-Edge Tart Base Production with Coordinated Turntable Crimping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual production of crimped edge tart bases is labor-intensive, requires lengthy apprenticeship, and poses health risks due to muscular efforts, leading to inefficiencies and health issues for operatives.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a control device and processing modules, including a press, crimping station, and transfer means, automates the crimping process by forming circular edges, transferring pastry portions, and applying overlapping crimps to create a braided appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual crimping operations are used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but productivity is low and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping process is divided into discrete automated steps: transfer means move pastry portions to the turntable, the turntable rotates to position different sections of the tart base edge under the crimper, and the crimper applies crimps at predetermined intervals. This segmentation of the manual operation into automated sub-steps enables high-speed production while keeping each individual component relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the turntable's own rotation to automatically position the tart base edge under the crimper for sequential crimping. The rotating turntable serves both as a transfer platform and as a positioning mechanism, eliminating the need for separate complex positioning devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
2Ease of operation
If manual crimping is performed, then quality control is flexible, but labor intensity and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical crimping action with an automated crimper mechanism driven by the rotating turntable. The crimper applies consistent mechanical force through a predetermined cycle synchronized with the turntable rotation, eliminating the need for manual muscular effort and associated health risks while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
3Productivity
If automated crimping machine is implemented, then productivity increases, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The crimping operation is performed periodically as the turntable rotates to predetermined angular positions. The crimper activates at specific intervals during rotation, creating consistent crimp spacing and depth through rhythmic, periodic action. This periodic mechanism ensures manufacturing precision by relying on the consistent geometry of the turntable rotation rather than requiring complex real-time positioning systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for producing crimped edge tart bases in a pastry portion processing machine for the production of crimped edge tart bases. The processing machine has a control device and at least one processing module. The processing module has at least one press, at least one crimping station including a horizontal turntable and at least one crimper mobile in a crimping zone fixed relative to the turntable and first, second and third transfer means. The method includes carrying out steps under the control of the control device after the transfer of each pastry portion into the press by means of the first transfer means. The press forms a tart base with a circular edge by pressing the pastry portion in the press. The tart base is transferred from the press onto the turntable by means of the second transfer means, then coordinated control of the crimper and the rotation of the turntable to obtain a succession of overlapping crimps by successively crimping the section of the edge of the tart base located in the crimping zone and projecting from the turntable over all of the circumference of the edge of the tart base. The crimped edge tart base is evacuating by means of the third transfer means.