Automated Proofing Cell
Industrial Bakery Line · 3,000 kg/h
Client
Leading Italian Bakery
location
Italy
delivery
2025
3,000 kg/h
Production Capacity
90 min
Max Proofing Time
28 belts
Conveyor Levels
3 ovens
Simultaneous Feed Lines
Industry 4.0
Siemens Platform
THE CHALLENGE
A leading Italian bakery required a fully integrated, high-capacity proofing cell to support a new industrial line processing dough products at 3,000 kg/h. The client needed a turnkey solution managing continuous product flow — from shaping through controlled fermentation into three simultaneous oven feeds — with zero manual handling, full recipe control, and Industry 4.0 connectivity.
OUR SOLUTION
HTS Industry engineered and delivered a complete proofing system in three integrated modules — Entry, Proofing Chamber, and Exit — controlled by a unified Siemens PLC.
- Entry. Four tilting phase-correction belts (2,000 mm wide) break the continuous stream from the former. A horizontal shuttle and mini-lift feed two independent main lifts — 3,200 mm apart — each loading 14 proofing belt levels
- Proofing Chamber.A 34 m × 9.7 m × 7.4 m insulated cell (PIR panels, AISI 304 interior) maintains 28–30°C and 90% RH via an AHU at 18,000 m³/h. 28 PVC belts — each 2,000 mm wide and 24,500 mm long
- Exit.Two symmetrical output lifts feed a 6-belt shuttle, then 4+4 pantograph conveyors distribute product across 3 oven lines. Nine 1,400 mm pre-oven belts with sealed PVC handle final topping before baking. The filling tables are easily removable using quick-release couplings for thorough cleaning.
(upstream)
(client)
RESULTS & CLIENT VALUE
Zero manual handling
from shaping to oven — fully automated product flow across all three oven lines simultaneously.
Flexible proofing time
up to 90 minutes with precise temperature (28– 30°C) and humidity (90% RH) control, recipe-driven via Siemens PLC.
High throughput reliability
with 52,920 pieces in-cell capacity and redundant lift architecture ensuring no single point of failure.
Backward compatibility
Bonfiglioli gearboxes interchangeable with the client's existing Line 2, reducing spare parts complexity and service cost.
Industry 4.0 ready
full Siemens connectivity, integrated safety, OPCUA capable — compatible with the client's MES/SCADA roadmap
Minimal footprint impact
structural cell fully pre-engineered around existing building constraints — warehouse wall not in scope.
