Twist Head
Overview
The Twist Head is a specialist die that forms a twisted rope product from either two distinct product streams or a single divided stream. Adjustable rotational speed allows the twist profile to be varied to suit the required treat appearance and geometry.
The head can also introduce air or steam into the product to create a hollow-core, profiled rope with increased volume and reduced density. Interchangeable dies provide further flexibility across solid, hollow, single-colour and two-colour treat formats.
Key Benefits
Flexible Product Feeds
Key figure: 1 or 2 extruders
Can be fed by a single extruder, two extruders or a Bi-Colour Barrel, supporting single-colour or two-colour twisted products.
Hollow, Lower-Density Ropes
Key figure: Air or steam injection
Air or steam can be injected to create a hollow twisted rope with greater apparent volume and lower product density.
Interchangeable Profile Dies
Key figure: Multiple shapes
Interchangeable dies produce profiles including stars, squares and rounds, with bespoke shapes available for specific products or markets.
Fully Hygienic Modular Design
Key figure: Tool-free modular breakdown
Operator-focused modular components separate easily for thorough cleaning, inspection and routine maintenance.
Manufactured throughout from fully food-grade materials.
A typical assembly provides four distinct nozzles, allowing four product ropes with individually selected die profiles.
Air or steam injection can reduce rope density and create hollow product formats.
Variable rotational speed allows different twist pitches and finished treat styles.
Can be retrofitted to an existing extrusion line and installed or removed easily for limited-run production.
Compatible with single-colour, dual-extrusion and Bi-Colour Barrel feed arrangements.
Completely Modular Design
Trolley-Mounted for Short Runs
Flexible Extrusion Feeds
Variable Twist and Density
The Twist Head is built from modular components that can be removed and separated quickly for cleaning, inspection and maintenance.
Nozzle assemblies can be changed without replacing the complete head, supporting rapid change between product profiles.
This reduces downtime and gives operators clear access to all product-contact parts.
A trolley-mounted arrangement allows the Twist Head to be moved into position on existing extrusion equipment when required.
It is well suited to limited production runs, product trials and seasonal products without dedicating a permanent line.
Quick installation and removal return the extruder to its normal duty with minimal disruption.
The Twist Head can accept a single extruder feed, two separate extruders or a Bi-Colour Barrel supply.
This enables single-colour, two-colour and two-recipe products to be produced using the same twisting platform.
Feed and die arrangements can be configured around the required product and the equipment already installed.
Variable head speed changes the twist pitch, allowing different visual styles and product textures from the same assembly.
Air or steam injection can form a hollow core, increasing apparent volume while reducing density.
Together, rotational speed and injection settings provide a broad range of finished rope geometries.
How it Works
Product enters through the rear of the Twist Head and follows the internal process paths into the rotating die assembly. A mechanically gear-driven system rotates the twisting head at the selected speed, bringing the product streams together and forming the required twist before the rope is extruded through the interchangeable nozzle. Where specified, air or steam is introduced before discharge to create a hollow, lower-density product.
Technical Specifications
| Pressure rating | 150 bar |
| Maximum rotation speed | Up to 1,000 rpm |
| Maximum flow rate | Up to 3 tonnes per hour |
| Typical number of nozzles | 4 |
| Chunk size | Up to 25 mm diameter chunks of meat or vegetable – larger possible |
Applications
- Solid-filled twisted rope products.
- Air- or steam-filled twisted ropes with reduced density and increased volume.
- Colour-injected or two-colour twisted products.
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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