Camozzi Pneumatics for the ham massage system

Needs

“The MS4R, which boasts a 20-year patent, is a practical example of how innovation is entering our factory and how the need for a simplified technology has been largely satisfied thanks to innovative solutions provided by Camozzi Automation.

Its main task is to empty the blood vessels, to ensure the best preservation of the meat in subsequent stages. This is the most important machine of the entire process, on which the main properties of the finished product depend.

MS4R adapts the pressure exerted by the rollers to the variable shape of the moving fresh ham, ensuring a uniform massage of the muscle fibres of the entire leg and allowing the salt to penetrate deeply.

The massage is performed by 4 motorised rollers, with a particular truncated cone shape, especially designed to optimise massaging.

The pressure applied by the rollers depends on the characteristics of the raw material, which passes under the rollers transported by a belt. The correct pressure adjustment combined with the shape of the rollers, therefore, constitute the most important aspects of the MS4R, together with the roller drive system that - thanks to the elimination of a series of mechanical components - is the subject of the patent.

Solutions

For this reason, we turned to the advanced solutions offered by Camozzi Automation, starting with the new electronic proportional regulator that, as the ham passes, maintains a constantly applied pressure, which was not the case with manual regulators”.

“Besides the MS4R, we have also used new Camozzi Automation components in our other more established machines.

“The excellence of the adopted technical solutions, combined with the technical assistance, responsiveness and support demonstrated by our partner Camozzi Automation, offers the best conditions in which to continue our collaboration".

Results

“Compared to before, the emptying of blood vessels is better and homogeneous over the entire product. This is a fundamental benefit, as the MS4R is inserted in processing lines whose times are defined by other machines, or by manual activities, so the massage system can work thoroughly, enhancing the quality of the finished product.

“Operating parameters are the pressure exerted and the sliding speed, according to the type of product. The processing of ham of non-Italian origin, for example, requires different parameters than those used for Parma or San Daniele hams which, having also the leg attached, is even longer.

“One of the major differences, in fact, is given by the different sizes of the hams. We have therefore defined different programs that can be selected through touch-screen, to simplify the setting operations and the operating parameters when necessary.

And what about maintenance?

“The simplification of the roller drive system means that there is almost no maintenance, making routine operations quicker and more convenient. Another important aspect is the concept of the whole machine that, in case of sanitation, allows access to all components simply by opening a lid, without the need to disassemble single pieces”.

Camozzi Automation components used for the MS4R

MS4R can process up to 800 pieces an hour. Camozzi Automation’s components are key to the main operations of the machine:

Series MD filter groups allow the connection to the pneumatic distribution network and the setting of the operating pressure

Series 3 solenoid valves control the functioning of the cylinders

Series 63 cylinders transmit motion to the rollers and pneumatically pull the conveyor belt

The new Series PRE electronic proportional regulator indicates the pressure value on a touch screen and modulates pressure according to the type of product.