Ametek Test & Calibration Instruments has long supplied the bakery industry with advanced testing solutions to ensure end-product quality on the consumer shelf.  The TA1 is the latest texture analyzer to offer affordable, high performance bakery industry testing whether in Quality Control or product development.

The use of human sensory panels to determine product quality is well documented but too impractical for today’s busy mechanized bakeries. The TA1 texture analyzer offers a quantitative approach, aimed at driving down costs through fast, efficient testing without compromising on data accuracy or reproducability. Key to its success is flexibility, ease of use, and high sensitivity of measurement.

The TA1 texture analyzer features a 225lbf (100 kgf) capacity, designed specifically for routine textural testing and sophisticated texture profile analysis. It sits comfortably on a bench and accepts interchangeable, easy to connect XLC Series load cells as the load measuring device. Unlike other texture analyzers, it has a sizable working area to accommodate large samples. A reading measurement to within +/-0.5% and a speed accuracy lower than 0.2% ensures reliable results. The standard system includes the base machine, a drip tray, food testing base and probe for routine entry-level applications.

Texture profiling in the bakery industry covers a number of disciplines. Checking dough stickiness is straightforward with the “Dough Preparation Set” fitted to the TA1 texture analyzer. Too sticky dough may adhere to mixing equipment; too dry may result in poor quality and yields. There is a novel forward extrusion “Ottawa” jig to assess dough roll out, and special knife blade attachments to test dough springiness, crust hardness and even check for air pockets or other constituents. It is also possible to measure dough hardness (on the compressive “puncture” stroke) and dough stickiness (on the withdrawal stroke) in one complete test with a flat ended probe attached.

Such tests allow producers to alter ingredient ratios, asses baking times and determine optimum production methods. It is possible to correlate any measured data against human sensory panels as a final check. Once the ideal profile has been determined, the standard procedure can then be transferred to the production line for rapid testing in Quality Control.

To help users in the instrument control, analysis and reporting of results, AMETEK Test & Calibration Instruments offers the acclaimed NEXYGENPlus software. With a vast test library for international manufacturing standards compliance, key features on this texture analysis software include strict multilevel user security and audit trails for total traceability of data, video capture and playback (for training and additional analysis purposes).