Final proofing

Automating the final proofing process is easy (in principle): make sure the dough pieces spend the required time under the required conditions (humidity and temperature). However, doing this for large(r) capacity lines is a serious undertaking as it means a large amount of dough (representing a large value) in process. And, all these individual dough pieces must proof in the same way making sure that the product quality is constant and at the required level.

Although there are several different designs for automatic final proofers, Radilinq has specialized itself in 2 of these designs (the best ones):

• Continuous movement: race-track design.
  The race-track design only refers to the shape of the proofer (and not the speed). This is a slow & gentle moving belt carrying the pan-straps, peel-boards or baking trays along a race-track shape. The proofer has different levels and can have an upward & a downward moving race-track. By controlling the speed of the belt, the proof time and/or capacity are changed. It is a simple, low-tech and easy to maintain system.

• Dis-continuous movement: step-style design.
  This design uses height to minimize foot-print. Therefore, it is most suitable for buildings that have height and not a lot of floor space. The wider the pan-straps, peel-boards or baking trays, the more cost efficient this type of proofer is. The step-style proofer uses a pater-noster style movement. Carriers are mounted on chains on each side of the pan-straps, peel-boards or baking trays. Several of them are accumulated on the infeed conveyor and are then lifted from the side by the proofer carriers. The next set of proofer carriers is then ready to pick up the next row. On the top of the upward ‘tower’ the pan-straps, peel-boards or baking trays are moved horizontally to the downward moving ‘tower’. By controlling the time of movement of the carriers, the proof time and/or capacity are changed. It is a cost-efficient and space-saving design given the right circumstances.

Both designs have a very open structure which means that the air (at low speed) can flow freely through the complete proofer. This means that the humidity and temperature are even and the same everywhere inside the proofer = a constant proofed product quality.

Radilinq can also advice on and/or supply the clima-unit (for regulating & maintaining the correct humidity & temperature in the proofer) and the insulation around the proofer. 

Three key words for RadiLinQ final proofers: control, control and control.