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Bühler has introduced the OLFC, a new flaking system engineered for high-throughput oilseed preparation plants. The machine combines extended roll service life, reduced structural vibration, and automated operation to help processors raise plant yield, lower energy consumption, and improve long-term uptime.
The OLFC is designed to process cracked oilseeds, including soybean, canola, and sunflower seeds, which are pressed into thin flakes before oil extraction. According to Bühler, each machine can handle up to 500 tonnes per day, and consistent flake size and thickness are critical to the efficiency of subsequent extraction steps.
Flaking is a foundational stage in oilseed preparation, requiring precise thickness control to optimize downstream solvent extraction and pressing yields. Equipment reliability is essential in this continuous process, as unplanned downtime disrupts production schedules and inconsistencies in flake dimensions directly affect how efficiently oil is later extracted.
To strengthen the machine, Bühler's engineering team worked with customers to identify components under the highest mechanical stress and reinforced them. Changes include a strengthened base frame, cast components in the bearing unit, larger-diameter pulleys, reinforced roll shafts, and revised motor fixation. Bühler reports that these adjustments can reduce machine vibration by up to 25% compared with previous models, supporting more stable operation and potentially reducing mechanical wear.
The flaker also features larger 820-millimetre-diameter rolls, exceeding the industry standard of 800 mm. Combined with an extended usable roll diameter, Bühler says the design increases roll service life by 150%, reducing roll replacement frequency and associated maintenance requirements.
An upgraded hydraulic system protects the machine from sudden pressure spikes, including those caused by foreign objects entering the equipment.
On the energy side, Bühler introduced a new timing-belt power transmission system. The company reports that the OLFC consumes up to 4% less energy than its predecessors, while an auxiliary drive allows the rolls to rotate at low speed during maintenance. The company estimates that saving two hours during servicing preserves approximately 41 tonnes of processing capacity per flaker.
The OLFC combines these mechanical upgrades with a redesigned automation system. A new touchscreen provides operators with real-time information on machine status, while integrated sensors monitor performance. Data from multiple flakers can be consolidated to help operators compare machine performance and identify maintenance needs before they become critical. Through 'Bühler Insights', users can also monitor longer-term trends and support maintenance planning.
The OLFC was developed in collaboration with customers across North America, Europe, and China. Bühler validated the design through two prototype installations at soybean processing plants in the United States, with one unit operating under commercial production conditions since October 2023. Following the validation programme, the machine is now available to customers worldwide.
The launch comes as oilseed processors continue to focus on equipment uptime, energy efficiency, maintenance costs, and automation. By combining longer-lasting rolls, reduced vibration, lower energy consumption, and digital monitoring, the OLFC is positioned as a new option for processors seeking to maintain continuous and predictable flaking operations.
Source: millingmea.com