Cheese block former upgrades and retrofits

CPS offers a range of optional retrofits and upgrades for existing cheese block forming machines, building on the original patented designs introduced 30 years ago

CPS is now offering a range of optional retrofits and upgrades for existing cheese block forming machines.

The original Wincanton block former was designed and patented by CPS 30 years ago and now over 400 machines are operating worldwide.

CPS has recently developed two new models - the Wincanton Classic Tower and the Hi-Flo Tower - and it is the features and benefits of these latest additions that CPS is making available to not only those buying new machines and also to those with older versions.

One of the most popular retrofits supplied includes the new Wincanton door design, which has a direct impact on reducing wastage and increasing production efficiency.

Other options are to replace the pneumatic solenoid control package and the set of pneumatic cylinders with higher specification components.

These retrofit options can be undertaken separately to give the benefits of modern technology and lower maintenance, but combined, will reduce cycle times giving the potential of higher throughput from existing machines.

For those with the older column design, CPS offers replacement 5 metre and 7.5 metre columns to fit on existing bases.

The latest design is of solid welded construction providing low maintenance and a consistent high level of cleanliness.

The two heights provide different throughputs to suit user requirements.

Typical of the recent worldwide upgrades completed by CPS are five machines for Molfino in Argentina.

Following the upgrade, the cheese blockformers are being used to produce 20kg blocks of Parmesan and Monterrey Jack type cheeses, which the company sells into the US and Canadian markets via its parent company Saputo Cheese, located in Montreal.

Taking the route of upgrading older machines enabled the company to cost effectively gain the benefits of continuous block forming which replaced the previous labour intensive batch moulding system.

As part of the overall service, CPS offers full after sales back-up to ensure that any newly upgraded equipment goes quickly back into production.

In the case of Molfino, CPS sent its international product manager for Cheese Towers, Shaun Mullins, to Argentina earlier this year to successfully re-commission the machines, following the upgrade.

The decision by CPS to offer an upgrade route was initially driven by the longevity of the Wincanton machines due to their robust design and high quality of manufacture.

So now the typical long operational life of the original units can be extended even further together with the benefits of improved efficiency and the ability to meet new hygiene demands, all at a fraction of what it would cost to totally replace with new equipment.

Mr Mullins, who has been given the task of promoting the retrofits and upgrades, believes that the new service will bring significant cost savings and other benefits to the cheese industry.

He says: "Our decision to introduce a range of retrofit solutions has been prompted by the long life cycle of the company's equipment.

This is a great opportunity therefore for customers who have budget constraints to take advantage of some of the latest technology and innovations created by CPS in their constant drive to provide market leading equipment to cheesemakers worldwide.

By offering these retrofit options we can provide our customers with even more choices".

In addition to blockformer upgrades CPS offers a full range of support services including emergency response in the event of lost production; rebuild programmes and preventative maintenance care.

CPS also carries a comprehensive range of spares, which can be supplied by mail order or fitted by one of its own experienced engineers.

Equipment from CPS is in daily use worldwide and they offer a choice of different brands of cheesemaking systems including Scherping, Damrow as well as Wincanton which together can boast a record 230 years of serving customers in the cheese industry.

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