Bühler launches innovative cooling tunnel
This new system helps customers reduce energy consumption and lower operating costs through a streamlined, maintenance-friendly design.
SWITZERLAND – Bühler has introduced the OmniCool Smart, a compact, next-generation cooling tunnel designed for the cooling of products and chocolate in the compact market segment.
Unlike traditional cooling tunnels that rely on compressed air, the OmniCool Smart operates entirely on electricity.
Compressed air systems are known to be energy-intensive and require regular maintenance to maintain optimal performance.
In contrast, fully electric systems offer a quieter, more efficient, and low-maintenance alternative, which reduces energy use and operating costs while supporting more sustainable operations.
Additionally, the OmniCool Smart aims to optimize airflow, temperature control, and belt tracking for cooling various products, including fruit, cereals, snacks, protein bars, and enrobed wafers and biscuits.
The OmniCool Smart features a modular design, with the cooling section positioned underneath, ensuring optimal cooling performance while minimizing overall height.
Its belt tracking system employs the latest sensor technology. Designed for easy maintenance and cleaning, the cooling tunnel seeks to reduce downtime and enhance overall equipment effectiveness.
The OmniCool Smart is built for full integration into existing production lines. It can be operated from the previous machine in the line or directly via its own control panel, known as a human-machine interface (HMI).
In line with Bühler’s purpose of “Innovations for a better world,” the OmniCool Smart is designed to lower energy use and minimize environmental impact.
Its insulation and seals help prevent energy loss, while the fully electric design aims to eliminate the need for compressed air, thereby reducing energy consumption.
“OmniCool Smart is the ideal compact cooling solution for both current and future production needs. It ensures consistently high product quality, significantly reduces cleaning and maintenance requirements, and helps customers minimize their carbon footprint,” said András Somfai, head of product management and process engineering at Bühler.
This launch follows Bühler’s recent unveiling of OptiBake, the world’s first inductively heated wafer oven, representing a significant advancement in industrial baking.
This innovative solution, suitable for both flat and hollow wafers, sets a new benchmark for the global wafer industry, enabling customers to achieve operational excellence and sustainability in their production processes.
OptiBake’s induction heating system uses electromagnetic fields to generate heat directly within the baking plates, eliminating the need for open flames and combustion. This process produces no direct emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), or nitrogen oxides (NOx).
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