FAQs

End of Extruder Tooling

What types of extruders are MEM die heads compatible with?

MEM end of extruder tooling is designed to integrate with most industry-standard twin screw and single screw extruders used in food and pet food production.

Can MEM die heads produce twisted or multi-lane products?

Yes. MEM rotating die heads can produce twisted extruded products and can be configured from single lane up to 20 lanes depending on the application.

Are MEM die heads suitable for dual-colour extrusion?

Yes. MEM tooling can support both single colour and dual colour extruded shapes using co-extrusion (two extruders) or by using a binocular section on a twin screw extruder (single extrusion).

Can die heads be customised for specific product shapes?

Yes. MEM designs die heads and nozzle assemblies to suit the customer’s product specification, including shape, flow requirements and production throughput.

Wet Pet Food Filling

What container formats can MEM filling systems handle?

MEM volumetric filling systems are suitable for pouches, plastic containers, cans, aluminium trays (or tubs) and other flexible packaging formats.

Can MEM filling systems process meat chunk or loaf products?

Yes. The filling systems are designed to handle both. Chunks in gravy and difficult sinuous products, while maintaining clean cut-off and minimal contamination of sealing flanges.

Can MEM filling equipment be integrated into existing production lines?

Yes. MEM filling pumps and dosing heads can be adapted to integrate with existing product transport and sealing systems.

How many lanes can MEM filling systems support?

Depending on the application, systems can be configured from single lane up to multi-lane systems with up to 12 filling lanes.

Container Handling

What types of containers can MEM handling systems manage?

MEM systems can handle cans, plastic trays, tubs, aluminium trays, pouches and other packaging formats used in food and pet food production.

Do MEM container handling systems support washdown environments?

Yes. Conveyor systems and handling systems are designed with clean, hygienic construction suitable for washdown in a food production environment.

Can MEM systems integrate with existing packaging lines?

Yes. MEM container handling equipment can be designed to integrate with existing machinery and factory layouts.

Do MEM provide container de-nesting systems?

Yes. MEM designs tray, tub and aluminium tray de-nesters as part of integrated container handling solutions.

Dry Pet Food

What is an air take away system in dry pet food production?

An air take away system transports extruded cut kibble from the extruder using a controlled, filtered airflow system to maintain hygiene and consistent product flow, ensuring no contaminated air is pulled from the extruder room, thus minimising the risk of Salmonella contamination.

Are MEM systems compatible with industry-standard extruders?

Yes. MEM dry pet food systems are designed to integrate with most twin screw and single screw extruders used in the industry.

Can extruder tooling be changed quickly?

Yes. MEM designs systems with tool-less opening and fast changeover of die plates, cutter hubs and extrusion tooling.

Are these systems suitable for different kibble formats?

Yes. MEM systems can be configured to support different kibble sizes, shapes and production formats.

Kibble and Chunk Distribution

What products can MEM distribution systems handle?

MEM systems can distribute meat chunks, dry kibble, rice and similar products used in food and pet food production.

How many outlets can a distribution system support?

Typical systems distribute product from one inlet to three or four outlets, but systems can be scaled depending on the application.

How is product directed between outlets?

A gimballed central feed tube articulates between outlets, directing product to conveyors as required.

Are MEM systems suitable for hygienic production environments?

Yes. Systems are manufactured in stainless steel and can include integrated clean-in-place (CIP) cleaning systems.

Oven Depositors

What products are MEM oven depositors designed for?

MEM oven depositors are designed for oven formed meats (OFM) and other oven band extruded food products.

Can MEM depositors support dual-colour products?

Yes. The nozzle feed manifold can be configured to support both single and dual-colour product formats.

Are the depositing nozzles adjustable?

Yes. The outlet nozzles can be adjusted for height, angle and lateral positioning from either side of the oven band.

Is the equipment designed for easy cleaning?

Yes. MEM oven depositors feature hygienic stainless steel construction and clean design both internally and externally.

Special Purpose Machinery

What is special purpose machinery?

Special purpose machinery refers to custom-designed equipment built to solve a specific manufacturing or production challenge.

Can MEM design machinery for unique production processes?

Yes. MEM specialises in bespoke engineering solutions tailored to a customer’s application, production line and technical requirements.

Does MEM handle both design and manufacture?

Yes. MEM can deliver projects from concept design and drawings through to manufacture, assembly and commissioning.

What industries use MEM special purpose machinery?

MEM equipment is used across food production, pet food processing, robotics, automation and other industrial sectors.

Rotary and Linear Actuators

What are rotary and linear actuators used for?

They convert motor motion into controlled rotary or linear movement for precision positioning, automation and machine motion systems.

Are MEM actuators suitable for washdown environments?

Yes. Actuators can be supplied with sealed washdown housings and positive air pressurisation using clean instrument air.

Can actuators be customised for specific machines?

Yes. MEM designs actuator housings and interfaces to suit the specific mechanical and control requirements of each application.

Are MEM actuators compatible with common servo systems?

Yes. MEM actuators are designed to work with most industry-standard servo drive systems.

General

What industries does MEM support?

MEM provides engineering solutions for food processing, pet food production, mechanical handling, robotics and specialist manufacturing industries.

Does MEM provide bespoke engineering solutions?

Yes. MEM specialises in custom design and build solutions tailored to each customer’s production requirements.

Can MEM work with existing production equipment?

Yes. Many MEM systems are designed to integrate with existing machinery and factory layouts.

Does MEM offer design, manufacture and installation?

Yes. MEM can support projects from concept design and detailed drawings through to manufacture, assembly, installation and commissioning.

Where are MEM based?

Marshall Engineering (Midhurst) Ltd is based in Midhurst, West Sussex, United Kingdom.