Granulate decorating machine with vibration technology for precise product decoration

The Betec GVD 400 is a versatile granulate decorating machine for the controlled, accurate and reproducible application of dry decorative granulates on chocolate and food products.

Thanks to the combination of an adjustable product feed, infinitely variable vibration technology and optional sensor control, the granulate can be distributed very precisely across the product surface. This results in a consistent product finish with minimal raw material waste.

The GVD can be used as a standalone machine or integrated into:

• enrobing lines
• moulding lines
• depositing lines
• bakery and snack lines

The machine is available in different working widths and can be fully adapted to your product, product positioning and desired decoration pattern.

Products you can decorate with the GVD granulate decorating machine

The GVD granulate decorating machine is suitable for a wide range of products, such as:

• pralines
• chocolate bars
• biscuits
• donuts
• cakes
• ice cream desserts
• snack products
• bakery products
• deposited chocolate products
• moulded chocolate products

The machine is often used for finishing products with a decorative topping or crunch layer immediately after coating, depositing or moulding.

Which decorative granulates can the GVD process?

The GVD can process different types of dry decorative products, including:

• chocolate sprinkles
• decorative sugar pearls
• cacao nibs
• bresilienne nuts
• salt crystals
• crunchy toppings
• decorative mixes
• other dry granulates

Depending on the granulate type, the vibration intensity, product flow and distribution channels can be adjusted for an optimal sprinkling pattern.

Main advantages of the Betec GVD granulate decorating machine

• Accurate and reproducible granulate decoration
• Infinitely adjustable vibration intensity
• Adjustable product flow via slide system
• Possibility of sensor control
• Targeted decoration zones possible
• Custom-made distribution channels
• Reduced product waste
• Possibility to recover excess granulate
• Standalone or line integration
• Suitable for chocolate, bakery and food industries
• Available in multiple working widths

Accurate and reproducible granulate decoration

The GVD was developed to make decoration much more accurate and consistent than manual sprinkling processes.

The granulate quantity is controlled by:

• an adjustable control slide on the hopper
• the speed and intensity of the vibration motor

This allows the decoration to be perfectly adapted to:

• the product type
• the product speed
• the desired decoration density
• the product position on the line

Sensor-controlled granulate decoration

The machine can operate continuously for an even decoration across the full width of the product flow, but it can also be equipped with a product sensor for even more targeted dosing.

With sensor control, the granulate is only released when a product passes underneath the decoration zone. This allows highly targeted decoration, for example:

• only at the front of the product
• in the centre of the product
• in specific stripes
• with open spaces in between

This results in:

• less waste
• more accurate positioning
• better reproducible end products

Custom-made distribution channels for targeted granulate distribution

To control the decoration even more accurately, the GVD can be equipped with custom-made guiding channels for the granulate.

This allows the granulate to be distributed across specific sprinkling lanes adapted to:

• the product width
• the product position
• the number of product rows
• the desired decoration zones

For example, multiple sprinkling lanes can be created while certain zones intentionally remain closed.

A typical example:

• 5 distribution lanes
• with a closed centre zone of 80 mm
• adapted to the product positions on the conveyor belt

This creates a much more accurate and reproducible granulate distribution with less product waste.

How does the GVD granulate decorating machine work?

The granulate is poured into the stainless steel hopper of the machine. At the bottom of the hopper there is an adjustable slide to set the desired granulate quantity.

From the hopper, the granulate reaches the vibrating tray. Due to the vibrations generated by the vibration motor, the granulate is moved forward in a controlled way.

The vibration intensity is infinitely adjustable so that:

• fine granulates
• light toppings
• heavier decorations
• larger particles

can all be processed in a controlled manner.

Thanks to the combination of vibration intensity and product flow, the operator can adjust the decoration very accurately.

Fixed or movable vibrating tray depending on your production process

The Betec GVD decorating machines are available in different versions depending on the product type and integration within the production line.

The standard version, the GVD 400, is equipped with a fixed vibrating tray for controlled and uniform distribution of granulates and decorations.

For production environments where higher speeds and even more accurate decoration are required, the GVD 400-X can be selected.

This version features a movable vibrating tray that can move both with and against the product flow. This allows the granulate to be distributed even more accurately and consistently across the product surface.

The GVD 400-X is mainly used in larger moulding and depositing lines for chocolate tablets, where high production speeds are combined with accurate decoration positioning.

The movement of the vibrating tray results in:

• even more controlled decoration distribution
• higher production speeds
• more accurate inclusion positioning
• more stable decoration during continuous production

The “X” in GVD 400-X refers to the movability of the vibrating tray along the x-axis.

Standalone granulate decorating machine or integration into production lines

The GVD granulate decorating machine can function as a standalone machine or be integrated into complete production lines.

Integration into enrobing lines

Within chocolate production lines, the GVD is often positioned between the outlet of the enrobing machine and the start of the cooling tunnel.

At that moment, the chocolate is still liquid enough for the granulate to adhere perfectly to the product surface.

This makes the machine ideal for:

• chocolate sprinkles
• nut decoration
• crunch toppings
• sugar decoration
• salt applications

on coated products.

Integration into moulding and depositing lines

Within moulding and depositing lines, the GVD can also be used for decorating:

• moulded pralines
• chocolate tablets
• bars
• deposited snacks
• other chocolate products

A thin decorative layer can be applied very accurately onto the product surface. For larger and faster production lines, the GVD can also be equipped with a movable vibrating tray (GVD 400-X) for even more precise decoration control.

Available working widths of the GVD granulate decorating machine

The GVD is available in different standard working widths:

• GVD 400
• GVD 800
• GVD 1200

Thanks to the custom-made distribution channels, a wider machine can also be used perfectly on narrower production lines.

For example, a GVD 400 can operate efficiently above a 300 mm wide production line without excessive product loss.

This offers additional flexibility when:

• different product formats are processed
• multiple product lanes are used
• future expansions are planned

Recovery of excess granulate and reduction of product waste

To minimise granulate losses, the GVD is often positioned above a separate conveyor belt.

Collection of excess granulate

The excess granulate that does not end up on the product can be collected through the opening between two conveyor belts in:

• a collection tray
• a return conveyor
• a sieving and recycling system

For smaller productions, a simple collection tray is often sufficient.

Automatic return and recycling systems

For larger and more automated production lines, the excess granulate can:

1. be collected automatically
2. be transported away via a conveyor belt
3. be sieved
4. be returned to the hopper

This helps to:

• reduce product losses
• recover raw materials
• reduce manual handling
• increase production efficiency

When products are coated with chocolate on the bottom side, the decoration module can be combined with a bottom-cooled conveyor belt so that the chocolate is sufficiently hardened before the product is transferred to the next conveyor belt or cooling tunnel.

Want to know more about the Betec GVD granulate decorating machine?

Would you like to know how the GVD granulate decorating machine can be integrated into your production line or which configuration best matches your products and decoration process?

Contact us via info@betecnv.be for more information, technical advice or a personalised quotation.

Betec is happy to help you develop an efficient, reproducible and technically well-designed solution for accurately decorating chocolate and food products with granulates.