GEA has launched its xTru Twin series of high-capacity extruders for the food and pet food industries, with the flagship xTru Twin 140
The new machine is equipped with powered screws which provide users up to 40% increased capacity, with the same efficiency, quality and footprint as previous models. In addition, this high-capacity technology can be applied to the other models of the GEA xTru Twin extruders, such as models 70/92/112, and retrofitted to older machines, to increase their capacity, without changing the floorplan of the factory.
The GEA xTru Twin extruders offer the flexibility to produce a wide range of products including: cereal-based snack pellets die-cut, 2D, 3D, multilayers, square shape, punched and direct expanded; breakfast cereals; dry pet food; and any other extruded food product. The latest xTru Twin 140 can produce more than three tonnes of pellets and 10 tonnes of pet food kibbles in an hour.
More capacity with same footprint
To achieve the additional capacity, GEA engineers have used their experience and know-how to increase the cross-sectional area, rotation speed and pitch of the screws on the new machines, while maintaining the extruder footprint and screw length. This also allows customers to upgrade existing machines without buying a new one, or changing the plant layout.
Increased quality, hygiene and safety
Other major features of the GEA xTru Twin range include: A high-speed premixer for perfectly hydrating flour; a large, curved mixing vessel that facilitates good water absorption and adherence to the requisite hygiene standards; a vertical forced feeding screw to control the dough’s movement into the cooking screw; a powerful, variable speed motor with a safety clutch; and a high-torque, double cascade gearbox that ensures excellent power reserves and safety. With its co-rotating, fully intermeshing twin screws, a modular barrel assists in properly cooking cereal-based dough.
Driven by customer demand
GEA embarked on the process of developing the new technology in response to customers’ requests, and the market’s need for a single, high-capacity machine, capable of producing a wide range of innovative food shapes. GEA xTru Twin extruders allow customers to experiment and develop new products.
