What are the advantages of Oven Profiling?

Building a picture

Oven profiling allows a database of knowledge & understanding to be built. Historically, an oven has been considered a “black box” with dough entering at one end and finished product exiting at the other - this need no longer be the case. By sending equipment through the oven alongside the product it is possible to gather valuable information about the baking process. From this data an accurate picture of the conditions can be produced, and this is generally shown in a graphical form.

Troubleshooting

When measuring ovens with profiling equipment, especially with heat flux or camera units, unusual features can often be revealed which would otherwise remain hidden and unknown. Such features may be the result of faults or damage within the oven, including failed heating elements or burners, blocked nozzles and faulty dampers.  Profiling an oven regularly is a powerful diagnostic tool that can highlight faults or issues early thus making it possible to make improvements and repairs in a timely and effective manner.  This can help to reduce downtime and any associated costs.

Optimisation

Measuring oven performance also allows optimisation work to take place. It is very difficult to optimise a profile if the current conditions are not known. Optimising the profile can lead to a number of significant benefits including reduced waste, reduced energy consumption and improvements to the product quality. The best time to measure an oven is actually when everything is working well and the product is good. This gives a reference point – a gold standard profile – to return to when problems arise.

Relocation

Profiling ovens is also a valuable exercise when there are plans to move lines to a new location or to move products between lines. The current profile is a good starting point which will significantly speed up the transfer of production. In some cases it is possible to set up the new plant without product, although some fine tuning will almost certainly be required once production starts, and this helps to minimises waste and downtime. If you are interested in our oven profiling equipment or consultancy then we’d love to hear from you, just follow this link with your enquiry.