In mechanical oilseed processing plants, the goal of an expeller press is simple: to efficiently crush oilseeds and squeeze out as much oil as possible. But what happens when the machine stops crushing, the oil suddenly stops flowing, or the solids don’t separate completely from the liquids? Suddenly, you’ve hit a processing snag that impacts…
Gearbox FAQ: A Closer Look at Screw Press Gearboxes
Inside a mechanical oil press, the main worm shaft is known to compress seed material to squeeze out valuable oil while the motor powers the press. A critical component connects these two crucial machines: the gearbox. This blog will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about screw press gearboxes to explain their importance…
Exploring Oil Mill Automation Control Systems
Inside a mechanical oilseed crushing plant, soybeans pass through dozens of complex industrial operations and machines on their way through the extraction process. Whether the facility is running a few dozen tons of seeds per day or hundreds, each processing step and piece of equipment must be able to operate in unison to keep products…
The Important Role Thrust Bearings Play in Oilseed Processing
The famous physicist Sir Isaac Newton determined that every action has an equal reaction or opposing force. This law of physics applies to oilseed pressing because as the rotating worm shaft pushes seeds through the barrel, the seeds push back against the shaft, exerting a thrust force in the opposite direction. To absorb this force…
How To Calculate Cost Per Ton for Soybean Oil Production and Other Oilseeds
The day-to-day operating costs involved in crushing oilseeds can make or break the profitability of a mechanical processing plant. To combat tight margins and fluctuating market prices, processors must operate their facilities as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible—which requires a keen understanding of their operating expenses in terms of cost per ton for soybean oil…
Lowering Trypsin Inhibitor Levels in Soybean Meal
Soybean meal is the primary protein source in most animal feed formulations today. In fact, it makes up about a third of most U.S. poultry rations—supplying a unique combination of amino acids and other nutrients that broiler chickens depend on. Unfortunately, soy meal also contains several harmful anti-nutritional factors, like trypsin inhibitors, that compromise its…
Enhancing Feed Extrusion with Anderson’s Expander-Extruder-Cooker™
Extrusion technology has been used to process grains and seeds for nearly a century. As processing methods evolved, extrusion systems like Anderson’s popular Dox™ Extruder have advanced to become essential apparatus in many operations. But long before the Dox was invented, Anderson’s feed extrusion expertise originated with a modest machine called the Expander-Extruder-Cooker™, or EEC.…
Planning a Sunflower Seed Processing Plant
Sunflowers provide the third-largest source of protein for livestock diets and U.S. oilseed production. To capitalize on this supply of U.S. sunflower to produce valuable feed ingredients for farms throughout the region, Wyoming-based 307 Processing set out to build a new sunflower seed processing plant. Owners Joel and Curtis Hjorth saw an opportunity to tap…
4 Oilseed Processing Trends to Watch in 2024
Global demand for vegetable oil and meal to supply feed, food, and fuel is pushing oilseed processors toward expansion and improved efficiency in 2024. High prices and increasing demands are driving investments in bigger, better oilseed processing plants around the world as facilities try to keep pace with ongoing growth. Wrapping up 2023 with an…