Top & Tail, Husk, Tray Pack and more
We are the global leaders in fresh-cut, tray packed sweet corn packing lines and equipment.
The PROEX FOOD Fresh Market Sweet Corn Processing Line creates picture-perfect, fresh-cut cob trays that your retail partners want to display on their fresh produce shelves.
Our lines also feature our PROEX SAW, PROEX HUSKER and can be outfitted with many other innovative technologies.
Whether your are scaling and improving your fresh corn production, or moving from growing into this space, we have attainable solutions for you. Most lines have paybacks within two years, and have multiple technology packages to suit your needs.
Capacities
Capacity on a fresh cob line is typically based on the capacity of your husker(s) and cob saw(s) and scale as you do. These are meant to show you common capacities. As always, your needs are unique, and we design to what you need.
Standard Line
Below is simply a list of where we start and a couple options, for a 200 ear per minute line. This is considered a base-level for a integrated line. Our lines are custom design engineered for your capacity, space, budget and more.
When you work with PROEX FOOD, we guide you through the entire process. We also help you determine what an incremental scale and enhancement plan should be.
Some of the enhancement options available are listed in Enhancement Options, and there are many more options that we have listed.
Talk to us, we are ready to help you achieve maximum throughput, recovery and quality while reducing your labor dependencies.
iNTELLIPRO SCANNING:
Be sure to check out our iNTELLIPRO SCANNING system. This proprietary, patent-pending xray and image analysis solution to scan and grade each cob PRIOR to spending any time and energy processing.
Estimated to increase capacity by 15%+.
1 of 11Infeed Hopper
Properly spread out and meter your product flow and optimize downstream line efficiency.
2 of 11Elevator to SAW:
Bring up to SAW platform height for operators (when manually loaded) and to support SAW waste removal.
3 of 11SAW:
For lines of 200 epm and up, we feature our iNTELLIPRO SAW. This modern machine is high-capacity, and comes in 200 and 300 epm configurations. It is built to last, and ready to integrate with digital options on our connected lines. This is typically mounted on a platform with a waste conveyor below.
Ask us about Robotic Saw Loading options.
We do have a more entry level options for low capacity (120 epm or less) lines.
4 of 11HUSKER:
PROEX FOOD lines are equipped with our modern workhorse, the shaker and iNTELLIPRO HUSKER combination. This comes in 4, 8, 12 and 16 lane configurations, with fresh, processed and seed corn features and configurations. It is typically mounted on a platform with a waste conveyor below.
It is also ready to bring you digital intelligence when integrated into a complete line with central controls and iNTELLIPRO CONNECT.
We have a lesser grade available for animal feed lines.
5 of 11Inspection Conveyor:
A quick quality check. Also, often with a chute for any green (not fully husked) ears to send back through the husking process.
Ask us about Robotic Green Ear Sorting options!
6 of 11Tray Packing Conveyor:
For manually packed lines, an ergonomic conveyor at the right length for your capacity.
Ask us about Robotic Tray Packing options!
7 of 11Overwrapper:
A packaging machine integration. Cover and seal your trays, typically with an overwrapper.
8 of 11Labeler:
Automatically print any relevant information and apply the sticker to the overwrapped tray.
9 of 11Metal Detector:
Automatically scan finished goods and ensure they have no detectable metal.
10 of 11Round Loading Table:
Output finished trays to a round table for manual case packing.
Ask us about Robotic Case Packing & Palletizing options!
11 of 11These options are always customized to your needs.
Enhancement Options
From scanning to robotics, we have enhancements that will further automate and optimize your line.
Often, the paybacks are faster than you may think.
- Remove Bad Cobs Prior to Processing
- Reduce Contamination
- Increase Utilization
- Robotic Options
- Cob Saw Product Loading
- Green Ear Sorting
- Tray Packing
- Case Packing
- Palletizing
- Robust Architecture
- Centralized
- Connected
- Sensors
- Data Analysis
Engineering
PROEX FOOD engineers will perfect the design of your line to make sure your cobs or cobettes are handled gently and hygienically, giving you the highest yield prices. We will ensure your operation delivers high-quality product with high levels of throughput.
Our cob saw is also perfect for fresh market, allowing you to top & tail cut “green cobs” prior to husking. This ensures you output visually appealing product.
When you are ready to incorporate robotics, sensors and digital tracking into your line, our team knows how to integrate for you.
Here are some of the more common pieces that may be included on your fresh market sweet corn line. Remember, we can deliver these independently, as a fully-integrated line, or incrementally. The choice is yours! Once we understand your needs, capacities, budgets and timelines, we are ready to propose your optimized solution.
Our equipment and lines are designed to be hygienic and easy to access for maintenance needs. We also have solutions for traceability and other sensor-driven capabilities.
Whether you manage a growing processing facility or are a grower transitioning into this world, we are here to provide the right solution for your needs. We also work commonly on multi-phase implementation and growth plans.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
You can choose to have the machines delivered separately, ensuring separate shipments for each individual machine. Alternatively, if preferred, the machines can also be delivered as a complete line, packaged together as a cohesive and integrated system. Sometimes, we set you on a multi-year approach to upgrade as your business needs evolve.
The ultimate decision on the mode of delivery rests with you and can be tailored to suit your specific preferences and needs.
Our processing lines are designed to provide the best end-result possible, with a focus on high-quality, easy maintenance, and clean operation to optimize the final product quality.
Our engineers custom design your line to your product and output specifications.
Plus, you can only find modern, digital-capable lines and equipment, including the iNTELLIPRO® series of connected, digitally intelligent products, at PROEX FOOD.
Our processing lines easily adjust to your capacity and product conditions. Belt speeds, cutting lengths, and husking aggressiveness, and more, allowing for flexibility in production based on your specific needs.
Complete, turnkey lines typically include a central waste line for efficient waste management, ensuring that waste is managed effectively and does not interfere with the production process.
This is highly variable, and designed specific to your needs and budgets. The layouts, types and counts of individual machines, inclusion of sensors, integration of AI-powered vision systems, optical sorters, robotics, digital intelligence (iNTELLIPRO® CONNECT) and more are integrated as applicable for you.
The processing line is designed to be easy to maintain, with a focus on easy access and robust machinery that ensures long life of wear parts.
We can offer stainless, wash-down motors and more. It all depends on your specific requirements.
All highly variable based on your capacity, input conditions, output needs and more. The processing line can include machinery for infeed, metering, xray (iNTELLIPRO® SCANNING), top and tail removal (iNTELLIPRO SAW), removing the leaves and silk/hair (iNTELLIPRO® HUSKER), green ear sorting (multiple options), kernel remover (cutter), dosing, optical sorters, tray packing robotics, waste conveyors, and much, much more.
Each line is customized to be optimal for your specific needs.
Always depends on your needs. We prefer to make equipment out of 304 stainless steel. Some customers require other materials or finishes.
For sweet corn, product touchpoints are typically stainless steel or a composite.