Introduction to Urschel Cutting Machinery

Urschel manufactures high-quality, precision cutting equipment with in-house production of critical components to ensure reliability and close tolerances. Their manufacturing process emphasizes ergonomic workflow and advanced production methods, supported by on-site foundries. A large inventory of common parts enables quick shipment and minimizes customer downtime, supported by a global sales and service network.

Product Applications and Featured Products

Urschel equipment is designed primarily for seafood and seaweed processing, focusing on producing nutritious products efficiently while reducing labor costs. Their product range includes sanitary slicers, dicers, and milling machines that offer precision cutting, continuous operation, and high capacity. Machines are built for rugged environments with hygienic stainless steel construction and easy-to-clean hinged and sliding panels.

Cutting Techniques and Product Examples

• Cut Types: Slice, dice, strip cut, and puree various seafood products such as seaweed, fish, shrimp, and surimi using specific Urschel models.
• Cut Sizes: Slice thickness ranges from 1/16" to 1" (1.6 to 25.4 mm); dice sizes vary from 3/16" to 1-1/2" (4.8 to 38 mm) for circular knives and 1/8" to 3" (3.2 to 76.2 mm) for crosscut knives; shredding discs produce fine to coarse shreds on cooked meats.

Machine Features and Cutting Components

Key components include adjustable slice gates, impeller paddles, slicing knives, feed rolls, feed drums, circular and crosscut knives, and shredding discs. These enable 2D and 3D cutting for dices, crumbles, strips, and shreds with precision. Feed assistance devices ensure smooth product flow, while sanitary design separates cutting zones from mechanical zones and uses rounded tube frames for self-draining and easy cleaning.

Machine Models and Specifications

• M6 Dicer: Belt-fed, accepts product up to 1" (25.4 mm) thick, powered by 5 or 7.5 HP motors, produces dices, strips, or shreds.
• Affinity Dicer Line: Includes USDA-accepted standard dicer, built-in conveyor model, and Affinity Integra; designed for high-fat and cold products; motors range from 1.5 to 25 HP.
• DiversaCut 2110A Dicer: Accepts product up to 10" (254 mm) in any dimension, eliminating precutting; motors of 5 or 10 HP.
• Sprint 2 Dicer: Available with or without conveyor discharge; accepts product up to 6.5" (165 mm); motors include 1.5 and 3 HP soft start options.

Cut Types and Sizes

Cut types include flat or crinkle slices, dices, crumbles, strips, and shreds. Slice thickness ranges from 1/16" to 1" (1.6 to 25.4 mm). Circular knife cuts range from 1/8" to 3" (3.2 to 76.2 mm), crosscut knife cuts from 3/32" to 3-1/2" (2.4 to 88.9 mm), and crinkle cuts have depths from 0.076" to 0.583" (7.1 to 14.8 mm). Shredding discs produce various shred sizes on cooked meat products.

Operational Advantages and Sanitary Design

Urschel machines support continuous operation with high capacity output. Rounded tube frames reduce microbial surfaces and promote self-draining for easy cleaning. Cutting zones are isolated from mechanical zones to maintain hygiene. Feed rolls and drums assist product flow and orientation, reducing waste and improving yield.

Additional Services

Urschel offers free test cuts at their Product Test Cutting Facility to help customers evaluate processing and optimize cutting parameters.

Overview of Urschel Cutting Equipment

Urschel provides a broad range of cutting machinery for slicing, dicing, shredding, strip cutting, grating, pureeing, and granulating diverse food products including pet food, dairy, fruits & vegetables, meat, and bakery/snacks. The equipment handles various product sizes and textures, including difficult and compressible items.

Main Sections and Key Features

1. Affinity Integra® Dicer

• Enables 2D and 3D cutting by adjusting slice thickness and knife spindles.
• Produces dices, crumbles, granulations, strips, and multiple shred types.
• Accepts feed up to 4.5" (114 mm) diameter.
• Powered by a 10 HP motor; available with or without discharge conveyor belt.

2. Cutting Types and Adjustments

• Slice thickness adjustable via knob.
• Circular and crosscut knives removable or adjustable for various cuts.
• Multiple shred types available; collaboration with Urschel labs recommended for optimization.

3. Comitrol® Processor Line

• Models 1700 and 3640 with interchangeable heads for slicing, shredding, granulating, milling, emulsifying, dispersing, blending, and pureeing.
• Uses high-speed impeller inside stationary reduction head for gradual particle size reduction.
• Motors range from 2 to 40 HP depending on model.
• Model 1700 Microcut Head produces very fine particles (0.03 to 0.6 mm).
• Model 3640 Slant is compact for small to high capacity production.
• Sealed enclosures prevent dust, vapor, and liquid escape when used with collection systems.

4. Types of Cuts and Product Sizes

• Flat slices: 1/32" (0.8 mm) to 3" (76.2 mm).
• Crinkle slices: 4-2/3 waves per inch, 1/16" (1.6 mm) depth.
• Julienne cuts: 1/2" x 1/2" (12.7 x 12.7 mm) to 2" x 2" (50.8 x 50.8 mm).
• MicroSlice® Wheel: flat slices from 0.020" to 0.240" (0.5 to 6 mm), crinkle slices with 3-1/3 waves per inch and 0.080" (2.0 mm) depth.
• Shreds: oval, crescent, diamond, and V-shaped cross sections in various sizes.
• Strip cuts: rectangular cross sections from 3/32" (2.4 mm) to 3/4" (19 mm) width.

5. Machine Specifications

• Model 1700: approx. 51.3" L x 41" W x 62.4" H, 196 lb (542 kg), motors 15, 30, or 40 HP.
• Model 3640 Slant: compact design, 40 HP motor.
• Cutting wheel motors typically 3 HP; feed belt motors 1 HP.

6. Specialized Cutting for Elongated Products

• Belt-fed machines with interchangeable cutting wheels for slices, julienne, and shreds.
• Models include Model CC Slicer and E TranSlicer Cutter for versatility and precision.

7. Testing and Support Services

• Global network of test cutting facilities and experienced representatives.
• Free test cuts available to optimize machine setup for specific products.
• Customers encouraged to contact Urschel representatives or visit the website for scheduling tests.

Critical Recommendations and Best Practices

• Adjust slice thickness and knife spindle configurations to achieve desired cuts.
• Collaborate with Urschel laboratories to optimize shred types and cutting parameters.
• Use sealed enclosures with collection systems to control emissions.
• Consider product size and compressibility when selecting machines and cutting heads.
• Utilize free test cuts to validate performance before purchase.

Summary

Urschel offers versatile, high-capacity cutting machinery tailored for diverse food processing applications. Their equipment supports multiple cutting styles with precise control over particle size and shape, including specialized models for difficult and elongated products. Extensive testing and customer support services ensure optimal cutting performance and processing efficiency.