Forecasting the development of technological processes using the example of the leading equipment of the "Bird's Milk" candy production line

One of the integral stages of most technological processes is the stage of dividing a product or semi-finished product into separate portions. Separation usually occurs by cutting, although a number of other separation methods can be used. The technological production line of "Bird's Milk" candies is optimized for maximum use of raw materials and minimization of waste, which gives high quality of the final product. In the manufacture, a method of continuous pouring of the candy layer onto a conveyor belt is used, followed by accelerated proofing, dividing the mass into portion cases, glazing and packaging. Scientific and technical forecasting was carried out in order to analyze the feasibility of changes in the design of the machine. For this purpose, a model of the "black box" operation of cutting the "Bird's Milk" candy layer has been compiled. For the convenience of structuring and evaluating the significance of factors, the expert assessment method was used, the results are presented in the form of a rank matrix. The study of the characteristics affecting the cutting operation of the confectionery mass was performed using four different parameters, which were control, controlled, disturbing and observable, and the cutting process itself was performed in a combined machine designed for cutting a candy layer. There were 17 identified indicators that affect the quality of semi-finished product processing. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that in the technological process of separating the candy mass in the "Bird's Milk" candy production line, the following five factors can be attributed to significant factors: the rigidity of the knife, the speed of movement for the guillotine knife and conveyor belt, the density of the cut mass, the rotation frequency and the number of disc knives