Automatic chocolate molding line SML500

Overview
The SML500 is an automatic chocolate molding line that deposits, cools and demolds molded and one-shot filled chocolates in a continuous mold circuit. Designed to install after a continuous tempering machine, the SML500 runs with 205 × 600 mm polycarbonate molds and delivers 300–500 kg/h depending on shot weight and line settings.

Process suitability

• Do not select the SML500 if the project does not require continuous, fully automatic production at 300–500 kg/h; the line is oversized for lower duty.
• Not suitable for water-based fillings (they do not cut cleanly in one-shot deposition).
• Not suitable for fillings with crunchy inclusions or whole nuts (particulates disrupt one-shot cut-off and reduce deposit accuracy).
• Not suitable if molds are 175 × 275 mm or if manual demolding is required; those cases use different machine families.

What the line automates
The automation scope starts when a mold enters the SML500 circuit and ends after demolding. Line-controlled functions include camera-and-sensor mold inspection with automatic rejection, an IR mold-temperature gate to skip out-of-range molds without stopping the line, one-shot depositing, controlled cooling in an elevator tunnel and automatic demolding.

Required external conditions
The SML500 requires an uninterrupted supply of tempered chocolate at the design inlet condition; chocolate manufacture, storage and tempering are upstream and outside the SML500. Continuous tempering (not intermittent wheel temperers) is required to feed the depositor reliably.

Select by requirement
50–100 kg/h, 175 × 275 mm molds, workshop scale — Mini Chocolate Molding Line (MML100)
200–500 kg/h, 175 × 275 mm molds, manual demolding — Semi-Automatic Chocolate Molding Machine
300–500 kg/h continuous, 205 × 600 mm molds, fully automatic, 600+ mold inventory — SML500 (this page)
Hollow chocolate shell filled later — Chocolate shell line (different product family)

One-shot depositor vs Chocolate Shell Line
The SML500 deposits shell and filling in one shot through concentric nozzles, suitable for smooth or semi-liquid fat-based fillings. Thin hollow shells filled later, water- or alcohol-based fillings, very high filling-to-shell ratios or layered sequential fillings require a dedicated chocolate shell line (different product family).

Mold and inspection requirements
The SML500 runs 205 × 600 mm polycarbonate molds. Mold color must be green or blue because transparent molds reduce camera inspection reliability. A minimum of 600 molds in circulation is required to sustain continuous operation; fewer molds create gaps on the main conveyor that the line cannot fill at production speed. An IR sensor under the depositor measures surface temperature and skips depositing on out-of-window molds while the line continues.

SML500 Technical features

• Designed for 205 × 600 mm molds; minimum 600 molds in circulation.
• Production capacity: 300–500 kg/h (depends on shot weight, depositor cycle time and conveyor speed).
• Construction: AISI 304 stainless steel, engineering plastics and aluminum.
• PID-controlled dry heating elements.
• One-shot depositor with servo-driven vertical motion and servo-controlled chocolate suction/outpouring.
• Camera-and-sensor mold inspection with automatic rejection.
• IR mold-temperature gate that skips out-of-range molds without stopping the line.
• Elevator-type cooling tunnel with CFC-free rubber insulation for reduced floor footprint.
• Hermetic-compressor air conditioner included.
• Bottom-loop main conveyor for compact installation footprint.
• All variables adjustable on HMI; no mechanical adjustment required for changeover.
• Total power consumption: 380 V three-phase, approximately 25 kW.

Utilities and upstream
Electrical supply: 380 V three-phase, approx. 25 kW. Compressed air supply required for pneumatic devices. No external chilled-water supply is required for the standard elevator cooling tunnel. Typical upstream chain: ball-mill/refiner → chocolate storage tank → continuous tempering machine → heated diverter valve feeding the SML500 depositor; a decrystallization tube is used on the temperer bypass to stabilize the storage tank when the depositor pauses. For filled products, a second tempered chocolate or compatible filling stream feeds the second hopper on the SML500.

Characteristics / technical specifications

• Model: SML500
• Mold size: 205 × 600 mm polycarbonate (green or blue required)
• Minimum mold inventory: 600 pieces
• Production capacity: 300–500 kg/h
• Materials: AISI 304 stainless steel, engineering plastics, aluminum
• Depositor: One-shot servo depositor with servo-controlled suction and outpouring
• Heating: PID-controlled dry heating elements
• Inspection: Camera-and-sensor mold inspection with automatic rejection; IR temperature gate under depositor
• Cooling: Elevator-type cooling tunnel with CFC-free rubber insulation
• Conveyor: Bottom-loop main conveyor
• Controls: HMI-adjustable variables, no mechanical changeover adjustments
• Power: 380 V three-phase, total consumption about 25 kW
• Utilities: Compressed air required; no external chiller water required for standard configuration
• Ancillary: Hermetic-compressor air conditioner included
• Warranty: 1 year against manufacturing/construction defects
• Lead time: typically 3–4 months from order (dependent on depositor configuration, cooling-tunnel length, inspection options and utility integration)