Noodles are big business in America. According to recent reports, people spent nearly $6 billion on instant noodles and well over $6 billion on pasta noodles last year alone. If you’re part of the pasta industry, countless customers are out there waiting for the products you have to offer. Of course, you’ll need to have the right equipment to get your noodles onto store shelves and into consumers’ hands. Because of the ongoing growth in this market, several types of equipment are available for industrial noodle processing and packaging, but not all of them are right for your unique needs.
Production Capacity
Whether you’re looking for a fettuccine extruder or a spiral noodle filling machine, you need to find one that’s meshes with your production requirements. That applies to speed, volume, weight, and other parameters. Are you a small-batch manufacturer, or do you produce hundreds of thousands of pounds of product per year? Determine how much product you need to produce, and choose a machine that can handle that type of volume. Consider the sizes and weights of your individual packages, and find equipment that can cover those needs as well.
Versatility Versus Specialty
Another aspect to consider is the types of noodles you produce. Dough consistency, kneading time, thickness, and other factors vary from one type to the next. Not all machines can produce all varieties of noodles. Do you offer a variety of product lines for your customers to enjoy, or do you focus on only one or two specialty items? If the former is the case, you may need a noodle machine that offers the versatility you need to make a range of noodle shapes and sizes. If the latter is true, you may fare better with a machine that’s customized for the products you offer.
Cleaning and Maintenance
It’s no secret that numerous regulations apply to the food manufacturing industry. They’re in place to protect consumers against chemical contamination, foodborne illnesses, and other dangers. They also help to ensure the quality of manufactured foods remains high. Many of those regulations pertain to cleanliness in food production facilities, and machinery is a major concern. With that being the case, the equipment you choose should be made of food-safe materials, and it should be easy to sanitize.
Maintenance is another consideration. All machinery needs routine maintenance and occasional repairs, but the amount of upkeep your equipment needs will affect your production and profits. If possible, choose machines that need relatively little maintenance to reduce downtime and ongoing repair costs. Paying attention to ongoing maintenance needs and ease of cleaning will ensure you spend more time up and running and that you’re able to remain in compliance with industry standards.
Size and Layout
Taking a closer look at the size and layout of different types of noodle machines is also important. No matter which features a machine has to offer, if it’s too big for your factory, it won’t serve you well. On the other hand, if you purchase equipment that’s far smaller than the space you have available, you could end up holding yourself back. Measure the amount of space you have for equipment and compare that to the size and shape of various machines. Choose one that fits in well with your other machinery and your factory’s setup.
Maximizing Your Noodle-Making Potential
In the food production industry, the equipment you have to work with can make a world of difference. It’ll either improve or detract from your ability to fill customers’ orders and impress the public with your products. When you’re looking for new machinery for your factory, think about your production needs, the types of noodles you make, and equipment cleaning and maintenance requirements. Consider the size and layout of different machines as well. Those factors will help you find one that’s a perfect fit for your business.
