Photo Courtesy of Bakon USA

Slicers are offering increased speeds and more automation. In-line slicers allow operators to reduce manual labor and costs, and change blades without shutting down the line. Sanitation is improved with easier access to the machines for cleaning. Ultrasonic cutters allow bakers to cut delicate baked products quickly and cleanly. Digital control panels give operators more control and allow for faster changeover between products. In a market where flexibility, versatility and high throughput are key, slicers stand up to the challenge. Read on for some of the various slicers available and more advancements in slicing technology.

Ultrasonic cutters

Bakon has introduced its line of ultrasonic cutting machines to the U.S. market. The machines are available as in-line solutions or stand-alone models. The ultrasonic technology features a titanium blade that oscillates at 20,000 cycles per sec. At such frequency, the friction is nearly zero, creating a clean and accurate cut. The machines combine ultrasonic technology with servo-drives to allow for fast and precise positioning of the blades. The Bakon cutters are equipped with a modem line to allow for remote support and reprogramming.
Bakon USA Food Equipment
800-879-2256
www.bakonusa.com

Slice pies accurately

FoodTools Inc. offers Model CS-4AAC, an automatic and semi-automatic pie and cake slicer that is ideal for the medium-size bakery that plans to grow. It features dual push button operation for safety; accurate loading divider insert chutes with scaled stops for various-sized divider inserts; an automatic platform feed and return; automatic indexing; a hand crank to adjust for differing product heights; and a divider insert storage tray.
FoodTools Inc.
805-962-8383 (West)
800-644-2377 (East/Midwest)
www.foodtools.com

Bread and sandwich slicers

Grote Co. has a variety of slicing solutions for today's baking industry. Grote's band-blade slicers are ideal for slicing bread products, such as baguettes, bagels and French toast. More automated equipment, such as the multi-roll cutter, slices whole roll or sub products lengthwise to adjustable depths and heights. The ultrasonic sandwich and wrap cutters cleanly and automatically slice sandwiches and wraps into two equal halves.
Grote Co.
614-868-8414
www.grotecompany.com

Bagel Slicing Systems

The fastest, most durable bagel slicing system available, LeMatic Bagel Slicing Heads are designed to handle the heavy-duty requirements of bagel bakeries. Three- or four-lane systems can be equipped with two slicing heads to provide continuous production on one slicing line. By alternating heads, regular service of the slicer and blades can be performed without interrupting production. Flip-down guides are available to run bagels and bagelettes on the same slicing line.
LeMatic Inc.
517-787-3301
www.lematic.com