NirMaster™
The NirMaster™ is a robot-operated laboratory with a focus on NIR analysis using standard bench-top NIR instruments such as FOSS DS2500/DS3/Infratec and many other NIR brands.
Physical analysis includes bulk density, durability (PDI) and water activity, all of which can be frequently analysed.
The NirMaster ™ offers a very fast payback due to both savings of operating costs as well as nutrient savings as follows:
- Reduce protein loss
- Increase moisture content
- Eliminate labour costs
- Reduce repeat work
- Optimise process equipment
- Automatic QA reporting
Automatic bench-top NIR analysis
Automated bench-top NIR analysis without human interference. The technology includes grinding of product samples, interfacing with the NIR instrument and calibration software as well as washing and drying of the sampling cup. ALL existing calibrations are re-used.
- Re-uses existing NIR calibrations
- Sample grinding
- Cup washing
- Controlled compaction of sample
Physical Analysis
The NirMaster™ can be configurated to a limited number of physical analysis parameters. For more physical analysis parameters, we recommend the CheckMaster machine.
- Bulk density (BD)
- Durablity (PDI)
- Water activity (aw)
- Temperature
Where to analyse?
Raw material intake
Mixing
Pelleting
Drying
Cooling
Coating
Packing
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
Install samplers at any critical control point throughout the process flow subject to quality analysis.
- Automated inline sampling technology installed at all HACCP
- Integrated vacuum conveying & receiving system
- Alarms are raised if analytical results do not comply with specifications
- Quality analysis report continuously created during production
Raw material intake analysis
Analysis at the raw material intake can be entirely automated by means of the robot laboratory. Samplers are placed at preferred locations and will automatically sample and analyse a specific raw material during unloading from either trucks, ships or trains.
- Automated sampling and analysing during unloading
- Actual accurate nutrient data for formulation systems
Mixing analysis
During mixing a sample is removed and NIR analysed. The NIR analytical data are compared to the formulation requirement so adjustments can be made accordingly.
- Moisture addition in order to minimising protein loss
- Moisture addition to ensure that the maximum moisture target is achieved thus resulting in a greater sale volume
- Dry or liquid addition of micro components such as free amino acids and others
Pelleting analysis
Pellets are sampled after pelleting and analysed with multiple quality parameters in order to optimize the pelleting process on the fly. If a QA parameter is out of specifications, an alarm will go off.
- Temperature analysis
- Product sizing analysis
- Bulk density analysis
- NIR analysis
Cooling
Temperature control of the finished feed or food product is important in order to avoid bacteria growth after packing. By sampling and analysing the temperature, the cooler performance can be controlled in terms of retention time and air flow.
- Minimise bacteria growth due to a too high outgoing temperature
- Reduce customer complaints
Drying analysis
Accurate moisture control is mandatory in order to ensure optimal operating costs. Both protein loss, final product moisture levels and consequently drying costs can be controlled. By using bench-top NIR technology including sample grinding, the moisture can be controlled accurately.
- Moisture analysis every 120 sec.
- Full nutrient analysis (NIR) profile such as moisture, fat, protein, ash, starch….
- Water activity analysis
- Bulk density analysis
Coating analysis
Micro and macro coating is important in order to complete the final nutrient mass balance profile of the feed or food product. By accurately analysing the pellets by means of an NIR, an accurate final liquid dosing can be applied.
- Oil & fat is metered based on the NIR analysis conducted both before and after the coating process
- Micro dosing in form of free amino acids and others are accurately applied
Packing analysis
Finished products being packed or loaded are analysed, thus ensuring that all essential nutrient and physical parameters are within the QA specifications.
- Automatic development of a QA report
- 24/7 product release without human interference
- Reduce customer complaints
- Minimise recalls
Calculate operating cost savings
Substantial savings can be achieved by implementing the robot laboratory into your process. Use the savings calculator to create specific savings at your site.
- Reduce nutrient give-away
- Increase moisture level in finish product
- Reduce rework
- Reduce recalls
- Reduce operator resources
- Reduce laboratory resources
Plug and play technology
Installation is quick and does not interfere with the manufacturing process. As soon as utilities have been connected, the machine will be ready to perform analyses.