Elba sugar cubing line

Cubes full of sweet success

engineering for a better world

Delighting the eye and the tastebuds

Manufacturing sparkling, sharp-edged, perfectly formed, fast- or slow dissolvingsugar cubes couldn’t be easier with the Elba sugar cubing line from Aquarius. Thismarket-leading line combines the latest technologies with 45 years’ marketexperience, to deliver a world-leading line that is sweetness itself for producersworldwide. Reliable, easy to operate, and requiring minimum maintenance, the fullyautomated Elba production line can produce 300 to 2700 kg of packed cubes an hourat an impressivecost/performance ratio.

High on performance, low on costDue to Aquarius’ innovative microwave technology, the newgeneration high performance Elba sugar cubing line provideshigh capacity continuous production (up to 65 tons a dayaccording to required quality and cube size specifications). A realbreakthrough when it comes to saving energy. But that’s not theonly place you’ll make significant savings: because the Elbasystem is easy to operate and simple to maintain, only oneoperator is needed to control two fully automatic productionlines. A radical advance over alternative solutions, the Elba sugarcubing line enables you to cut your labour costs significantly. Thefull line comprises three elements: the ElbaCuber, ElbaDryer andElbaPacker. It can be completed with box-forming and -closingequipment

At a glance

• Major labour cost savings up to 50%

• Energy savings up to 25% thanks to unique patented microwavetechnology

• Fully automated, easy to operate

• High capacity process

• Optimal product flexibility: one line for multiple cube and boxsizes

• Minimal maintenance and cleaning required

• Compact horizontal design, less floor space required

• Built to CE standards.

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ElbaCuber

to cover all your production and packaging needs from start tofinish. Moreover to maximize output whatever your productionmix, the line is designed to accommodate a variety of cube andpackaging formats quickly and easily. With the Elba sugar cubingline, you can meet the latest consumer trends and stay at theforefront of the market.

Safety mattersThe ergonomic Elba sugar cubing line has also been developedwith safety in mind and meets all current CE safety and hygienestandards. Its hygienic design assures a minimum number of‘dead spots’, leaving virtually no room for germs to accumulate.In addition, innovative use of patented microwave dryingtechnology ensures that bacteria are eradicated swiftly andefficiently.

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Perfect sugar cubes in three easy steps

With the Elba line there are three simple steps to perfect cubes. First, the cubes areformed in the ElbaCuber and then dried to a low and stable end moisture content inthe ElbaDryer. Finally, the ElbaPacker provides a flexible solution for ranged packagingof the sugar cubes in boxes. Other fully automated solutions for a smooth transfer ofyour sugar cubes to a wrapping machine are also available.

ElbaCuberExcellent results start with precise electronic control, ensuringoptimal ratios of water and dry granulated sugar are mixed toexact tolerances in the mixing unit. Subsequently, the mouldpockets are filled by a series of filling pins. The cubes are formedand then carefully deposited onto the conveyor belt andtransported to the high performance ElbaDryer drying unit. Allyour concerns regarding cleanliness are literally swept away bythe Elba Matrix Cleaning System. Remaining sugar particles areautomatically brushed off the mould and dies during production,ensuring absolute cleanliness and optimal moisture control

ElbaCuber

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What’s more, as the matrix can stay in place during cleaning, novaluable production time is lost dismantling and reassembling it,making the cleaning process swift and easy. In addition, theElbaCuber’s modular matrix cassette system also ensures optimaloutput flexibility and an easy increase in capacit, at a minimumadditional investment.

ElbaDryerThe ElbaDryer is your key to major energy savings and reduceddrying times thanks to its patented microwave technology. Sugarcubes are instantly heated by the microwave energy and then leftto dry and harden in the conditioner through naturalevaporation. With heating and drying times shortened,only acompact line is required, keeping the total length of theproduction line to a minimum. Maximum flexibility is ensured bythis compact dryer’s modular design that allows you to alter thenumber of microwave ovens according to your required output.

IN ACTIONFirst, dry granulated sugar is mixed with water in the ElbaCuber mixer. Then the moulds are filled and the cubes areformed and deposited at regular intervals on a conveyor belt. Next, the cubes are taken through the ElbaDryer wherethey are heated using microwave technology. After heating, the cubes enter the conditioner for further drying andhardening by means of natural evaporation. At the end of the conveyor belt, the ElbaPacker suction heads delicatelyplace the cubes in the waiting boxes.

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ElbaDryer ElbaPacker

As well as cutting down on energy consumption, the ElbaDryer’smicrowave technology ensures optimal food safety. Virtually allrisk of microbiological contamination is eliminated so that yourproduct will reach consumers in perfect condition.

ElbaPackerDesigned to meet all your packaging requirements, theElbaPacker can fill up to seven 200 to 1000 g boxes at a time, andoperates in complete electronic synchronisationwith the ElbaCuber. Once the cubes have been formed and dried,a series of servo motor powered suction heads delicately lifts theblocks of sugar cubes and places them into the waiting boxes. Aservo motor powered 3-stage carrousel then transfers the boxesto their respective infeed, filling and discharge positions.

A touch screen facilitates precise electronic control of the suctionheads so the right number of layers (up to 5) is placed in the boxesto the correct height. Easily and quickly adaptable to a variety ofbox styles and sizes, the compact ElbaPacker is the finishingtouch you need to ensure your product stands out in today’scompetitive market.

Box-forming and box-closingYour sugar cubing line can be completed with a fullyautomatedpackaging line that can easily be adapted toyour requirements.Carton blanks of various sizes andstyles can be erected on thebox-forming machine bymeans of a mechanical lockingtechnique or by usingglue. This glueless box erecting systemensures cleanand easy operation and minimum maintenance.Theperfect square boxes are tight and leak-free. At the endof theline, the filled boxes can be closed quick andsecurely by means ofhot melt glue in the box-closingmachine.

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Shapes and boxes to suit all tastes

Whether you’re creating traditional cubes or a variety of enticing and original shapes(hearts, diamonds, Christmas trees, etc), the Elba sugar cubing line ensures cubes areprepared to exactly the right consistency for optimal solubility (fast and slowdissolving) and a uniform weight. And manufacturing all these many products on oneand the same line is simplicity itself! Changing the size and shape of the sugar cubes issimply a matter of replacing the matrix cassettes.Additionally, a wide variety of box designs and packaging options (individuallywrapped, ranged or unranged) are available. Your attractively packed and temptinglypresented product is sure to stand out in the market and receive the attention itdeserves from your customer!

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P.O. Box 296, 6000 AG - De Fuus 8, 6006 RV Weert, The NetherlandsTel. +31 (0)495 457 777, Fax +31 (0)495 524 125info@gea.com, www.gea.com Th

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