Stretching Systems – 220 lb per Cycle (100 kg per Cycle)
Model: 07/01125
Precise cooking, kneading, and stretching for standardized pasta filata cheese production.
The Stretching Systems are batch‑type machines engineered for the cooking, kneading, and stretching of pasta filata cheeses, including Mozzarella, Oaxaca, and cheese analogs. The system combines controlled mechanical action with direct thermal input to deliver consistent texture, moisture content, and yield in every production cycle.
Each unit is equipped with counter‑rotating double helical screws and mounted on load cells, enabling real‑time weight monitoring and highly accurate dosing of ingredients and process water. This level of precision allows exact control of final moisture content, maximizing economic yield from each curd batch and ensuring product consistency.
Heating is achieved through direct steam injection with culinary‑grade filtration, providing rapid and uniform heat transfer directly into the cheese mass. Unlike conventional jacketed systems, this method eliminates localized overheating and preserves the characteristic fibrous structure and elasticity of pasta filata cheeses.
The stretching chamber features a permanent sanitary surface treatment that prevents product adhesion at high operating temperatures. This design eliminates the need for non‑metallic coatings, removing the risk of contamination from coating degradation and reducing long‑term maintenance costs.
Full PLC and HMI control enable recipe‑based operation and complete process traceability. Operators select the desired cheese type—such as Mozzarella, Oaxaca, or pizza cheese—and the system automatically adjusts screw speed, temperature, and cycle time. Integrated CIP spray nozzles ensure thorough internal cleaning without disassembly, while the dual‑lid safety design allows ingredient addition without operator access to the stretching chamber.
The Stretching Systems are available in batch capacities ranging from 220 to 3,307 lb per cycle (100 to 1,500 kg per cycle). For higher‑capacity models, an optional vacuum kneading system enables density control by removing occluded air and significantly reducing aerobic bacterial presence, contributing to improved shelf life and product stability.
This module centralizes the critical curd transformation operations. The system receives curd (manually or pneumatically), weighs the initial load through integrated load cells, and executes a pre-programmed PLC recipe. Through two large-diameter screws rotating in opposite directions, the mass undergoes controlled mechanical friction that aligns the protein fibers. Simultaneously, the system injects filtered (culinary) steam directly into the product, achieving immediate and uniform heat transfer. Final moisture can be adjusted through direct steam injection based on the target weight, before discharging the pasta filata to the molder/extruder hopper.
Technical Advantages
Moisture and Yield Control: The equipment is mounted on load cells that monitor weight in real time. This allows dosing ingredients and water with absolute precision to reach the target moisture percentage, maximizing the economic yield of each curd batch.
Direct Steam Injection with Culinary Filtration: Unlike traditional heating jackets that can burn the product on contact, our system injects purified steam directly into the mass. This ensures rapid, uniform cooking and efficient moisture incorporation without degrading texture.
Permanent Sanitary Finish (No Teflon): The interior of the chamber features a specialized abrasive surface treatment that prevents product adhesion at high temperatures. This eliminates the need for Teflon coatings, suppressing contamination risk from flaking and the recurring cost of recoating.
Vacuum Technology (Models >300 kg): For high-volume production, the system generates vacuum during kneading. This allows controlling cheese density (eliminating occluded air) and significantly reducing aerobic bacteria presence, extending shelf life.
Automation and Traceability: Full control via HMI/PLC with mechanical recipe storage. The operator selects the cheese type (Oaxaca, Mozzarella, Pizza Cheese) and the system automatically adjusts screw speed, temperature, and cycle time variables.
Achieve perfect fibrous texture and guarantee batch-to-batch consistency, eliminating fat solid losses associated with indirect heating and reducing maintenance costs from non-stick coatings.
The helical screws rotate in opposite directions to generate vigorous kneading that aligns fibers and defines cheese texture, ensuring homogeneous steam and moisture distribution throughout the mass.
Elevator Loading
The hatch opening allows loading the stretcher via an elevator cart system from the rear, while the front remains free for the operator to add additional ingredients.
Safety Cover
The second cover allows working with the hatch open to add ingredients while preventing the operator from reaching into the stretching chamber, meeting the most demanding safety standards.
Load Cells
Equipment mounted on load cells that monitor weight in real time, enabling ingredients and water dosing with absolute precision to reach the target moisture percentage.
Culinary Direct Steam
Complete automated steam distribution system: direct injection, heating jacket, modulating valve, culinary filter, and steam trap included.
Integrated CIP Cleaning
Strategic spray nozzle for in-situ cleaning (CIP), ensuring total hygiene of the chamber interior without disassembly.
Models from 100 kg
Available in capacities from 100 kg to 1,500 kg per cycle. Small models for scalable artisan production up to high-capacity industrial systems.
High Capacity
Large-format models for intensive industrial production. With vacuum option for density control and significant bacterial reduction in Mozzarella and Pizza Cheese lines.
HMI and Recipes
HMI/PLC control panel with mechanical recipe storage. The operator selects the cheese type and the system automatically adjusts screw speed, temperature, and cycle times.
Discharge to Extruder
Pasta filata discharges directly into the transfer extruder hopper, eliminating manual handling and maintaining optimal temperature for molding.
Complete Installation
Full installation view of the stretching system integrated with the tipping elevator and transfer extruder for a continuous-flow pasta filata line.