Steps in the Candy Making Process using Compressed Air

1. Mixing Ingredients

   In order to get delicious, sweet treats, ingredients need to be mixed together. Sometimes ingredients, like chocolate, need to be melted and mixed in to form the final candy product. To do this, compressed air is introduced to begin the aeration process. This aeration process creates movement that facilitates the mixing process. Different levels of mixing and aeration can yield different textural results for candies and sweets.

2. Cooling & Shaping

   We know that many different candies have their own unique shapes. In order to take this shape, the product must go through a molding and cooling process to take the form of the desired shape. Air compressors power the pneumatic systems that control the molds and drop the temperatures so that the shape of the candy holds.

3. Pneumatic Conveying

   Like most manufacturing processes, air compressors control the movement of the pneumatic conveying belts that carry the candy throughout the factory from step to step. Along with pneumatic conveying systems, air compressors can be used to power most pneumatic machinery that may be used in various candy manufacturing.

4. Coating

   Many candies have a coating over them, such as M&M’s or Skittles. This coating is essential to the brand and look of these candies and utilizes compressed air to apply! Air compressors ensure that the coating is applied evenly and smoothly to ensure that quality finish we know and love. Pneumatic systems powered by compressed air spray a fine mist of the liquid coating over the candies which are then cooled to solidify the coating.

5. Product Blow Off

   Air compressors and air blowers are many times used to blow off equipment used in candy and sweets manufacturing. For example, pans that may be used for baked sweets, need to be blown off to eliminate crumbs and other debris that may have accumulated while baking the last batch. Compressors and air blowers help streamline this blow off process so that the equipment can be used again immediately after in order to keep production moving along.

6. Packing & Sealing

   Of course, like other packaging applications, candy packing and sealing relies on compressed air for efficiency and quality. Air compressors power the sealing machines to protect the candies and maintain their freshness. Air compressors are also used to push the candy into the packages to fill them up before sealing them. Nitrogen may also be injected to increase shelf life.

7. Cleaning

   Air compressors can be used to assist in cleaning the equipment and surrounding environment of the production facility in order to maintain high, cleanliness standards that meet the food grade requirements. Air compressors add efficiency to the cleaning process by automating some processes and speeding them up while maintaining quality.

Type of Compressed Air Needed

The specific compressor model needed for your candy manufacturing operations will depend upon the size of your operations and the demand. However, all candy and food manufacturers rely on oil-free or oil-less air for their processes.

Oil free compressors ensure that no oil enters the production line and spoils the products. This is crucial in candy and food manufacturing where the customer will be consuming the product, and it could be harmful for their health to consume any product that has been contaminated by oil. Oil free machines ensure this happens by operating without oil in the compression chamber, unlike oil-lubricated machines. These compressors still utilize oil, but it is kept in a reservoir only utilized to lubricate the gear drive, which eliminates the risk of the oil encountering the candy products.

Oil less compressors take oil free technology a step further by eliminating all use of oil in the machine to provide the highest quality of air possible.

Benefits of Oil-Free Compressed Air in Candy Making

• Accuracy: Oil free air compressors allow for both clean air and precision in controlling elements such as temperature, pressure, and flow to achieve accurate results in your desired candy products.
• Efficiency: Oil free technology also presents high efficiency by being able to generate air continuously, even in large demand facilities and around peak demand periods.
• Cleanliness: Of course, oil free air provides the cleanest air quality possible for both your product and environment.
• Consistency: Oil free air compressors ensure that the production process is standardized to manufacture a uniform product.
• Reliability: Oil free air is extremely reliable in providing a consistent stream of air and also in providing the highest quality of air to eliminate risks of contamination.
• Capability: Oil free air compressors have many capabilities for a variety of processes, as listed earlier in the article.

ZORN'S PROMISE

Zorn is the Midwest leader of custom, engineered compressed air and vacuum solutions. We provide the best customer experience by understanding your applications and needs and offering an unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction. 

Our comprehensive product and service solutions keep you running 24/7.

• Reliable equipment
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Our compressed air experts look forward to meeting you to discuss your equipment and support needs. Please contact us directly at (262) 695-7000 with any questions or to schedule service for your system moving forward.

Related Resources

• Air Compressor Applications in Toy Manufacturing
• How Industrial Air Compressors Are Different
• Technical Solutions Group
• Air Blowers 101
• Air Compressor Cooling Systems 101
• What Is a Flow Controller & Do I Need One?
• Compressed Air Leak Detection 101
• Benefits of an Energy Efficient System!
• Compressed Air Applications in Summer Outdoor Recreation
• Compressed Air Applications in Water Treatment & Wastewater Treatment

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