Bayonet
Overview
The Bayonet is primarily the tool-less connection between the Sanitary Extruder Hood (SEH) and the extruder, and is supplied as part of the SEH assembly. It allows the hood to be secured and released quickly and repeatably without tools, giving operators fast, safe access to the extruder for cleaning, inspection and product changeovers.
Beyond the SEH, Bayonet assemblies are also used to create other tool-less extruder connections across the product range. The same principle can provide tool-less access between the end of the extruder and the Sanitary Extruder Valve (SEV), making it a versatile connection solution wherever rapid, repeatable and hygienic disassembly is required.
Key Benefits
Proven Installed Base
Key figure: 100+
Over 100 Bayonet units installed and operating in the field, giving a well-proven, field-tested connection design.
Tool-less Design
Key figure: Zero threaded bolts
No threaded bolts to loosen, lose or re-torque – connection and release are completely tool-less.
High Pressure Rating
Key figure: 100 bar standard
Rated to 100 bar as standard, with higher pressure ratings achievable on request – the tool-less design is engineered without compromising strength.
Gasket-free Extruder Seal
Key figure: Zero gaskets
Seals directly against the extruder with no gasket required, removing a consumable item and a potential contamination trap.
Low maintenance, robust design built for continuous production environments.
Manually operated – no powered actuation required.
Only basic controls required to confirm the closed state.
Manufactured throughout from fully food-safe materials.
Adapted to fit onto any extruder bolt pattern.
Accepts die plates up to 300 mm.
Hygienic Design
Operator Safety
Changeover Time
Retrofit Compatibility
The Bayonet is designed to be food safe at every level, from the materials used through to the detail of every surface and joint.
Gasket-free sealing removes a consumable item and a potential contamination trap from the product contact area.
Quick, tool-less opening gives full access for cleaning and inspection, supporting consistent hygiene standards.
The Bayonet moves the operator away from the front of the extruder during operation.
The hand wheel is positioned clear of the die face, keeping hands away from hot product and the discharge area.
Basic controls confirm the closed state, so the connection can be interlocked before the extruder is run.
Changeover time is reduced to just 2 to 3 minutes per die change.
With no threaded bolts to undo and re-torque, the connection is released and remade by hand in a single movement.
Faster changeovers mean more available production time and greater flexibility to run shorter product batches.
The Bayonet can be adapted to suit any existing connection.
It is machined to fit any extruder bolt pattern, so no modification to the existing extruder is required.
This makes it a straightforward upgrade for installed lines as well as an option on new equipment.
How it Works
The Bayonet uses a rotating element that engages and locks onto a locking ring. The operator turns a hand wheel to rotate this element, drawing the two halves together and securing the connection – or releasing it – without any tools. Sealing is achieved by precision-machined tapered faces that contain the full extruder pressure directly, metal to metal, so no gasket is required.
Technical Specifications
| Pressure rating | 100 bar as standard (higher on request) |
| Maximum die stack | 300 mm |
| Operating temperature | 150 °C |
| Operation | Manual, via hand wheel |
| Materials | Fully food-safe materials |
Applications
- Connecting the Sanitary Extruder Hood (SEH) to the extruder.
- Connecting other equipment in line with the extruder.
- Providing tool-less access between the end of the extruder and the Sanitary Extruder Valve (SEV).
- Applications requiring a locked connection – an optional interlock can be fitted to lock the Bayonet closed and confirm its state before the extruder is run.
Related Products
SEV
The Sanitary Extruder Valve is an energy-management valve installed at the end of the extruder.
BCB
The Bi-Colour Barrel (BCB) is an upgrade for an existing twin-screw extruder that allows two distinct products to be produced continuously and simultaneously from the same machine.
Co-Extrusion Head
The Co-Ex is designed to produce filled treats directly from the end of an extruder. It takes the main extruder flow and divides it evenly across a number of treat nozzles, allowing multiple product strands to be formed at the same time.
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