NEO MAKİNA ve MÜHENDİSLİK A.Ş. builds turnkey raisin processing plants for washing, drying, sorting and preparing seedless raisins (Sultana, Thompson, currants) for packing. An AISI 304 stainless line suited to sugary product, a staged drying profile, laser sorting and oiling-polishing units deliver export-grade, non-clumping raisins at uniform moisture.
Process Flow
A. Pre-processing: Destemming and Washing
- Destemmer: Separates berries from stems with mechanical precision; minimal berry damage.
- Flotation washer: Stones and sand sink by density difference while light debris floats off; water recirculation and filtration.
- Vibrating screen and dewatering: Surface water removed mechanically to reduce dryer thermal load.
B. Drying and Moisture Equalisation
- Belt tunnel dryer: Convective evaporation of bound water; zoned temperature and relative-humidity control for controlled diffusion from berry centre to surface.
- Staged profile: Soft interior without skin hardening (no case hardening); colour and aroma preserved.
- Heat recovery: Exhaust recirculation and recuperation save up to 30% energy.
- Equalisation silo: Moisture distribution within the batch is equalised (e.g. 14% ± 0.5); microbial risk and clumping in storage prevented.
C. Finishing: Cleaning, Sorting and Polishing
- Aspiration and capstemming: Light debris and stem fragments removed by air stream; capstemmer cleans remaining stem tips.
- Sizing: Drum or vibrating screen size grading.
- Laser / optical sorting: Discoloured berries, foreign matter and skins automatically ejected.
- Oiling drum: Atomised vegetable oil prevents berries sticking together and adds gloss.
- Metal detection and packing: X-ray/metal check; 10–12.5 kg cartons or 1 t big-bag filling.
Typical Application Range
- Capacity: batch type 500 – 1,500 kg/h; continuous type 2,000 – 5,000 kg/h and above
- Products: Sultana (seedless), Thompson, currants; dried apricot and fig processing on a similar line
- Final moisture: 13 – 15% (TS 3411 / Codex raisin standard)
- Materials: product-contact surfaces AISI 304 with anti-stick finish; hygienic design with wash nozzles
- Standards: CE Machinery Directive, ISO 22000/HACCP compliant layout; export quality criteria
Why NEO MAKİNA?
- Product quality: Staged drying and moisture equalisation give uniform, soft, glossy berries with low waste.
- Recipe flexibility: Temperature/time/air-speed recipes for different varieties selected on the touch panel.
- Durability: Sugar- and acid-resistant seals, heavy-duty conveyor chains; built for intensive seasonal operation.
- References: Aegean-region installations including our raisin and apricot washing-drying line project.
- Single-source delivery: Process design, equipment, installation, automation, commissioning and operator training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a plant needed for sun-dried grapes too?
Yes. Grapes dried on vineyard racks are washed, moisture-equalised, destemmed, sorted and oiled at the plant; this processing line is essential for export quality.
How long does drying take?
Tunnel drying fresh grapes from 80% to 14% moisture takes 18–36 hours depending on dipping treatment and temperature profile.
Can apricots and figs be processed on the same line?
Yes. Washing, drying, sorting and packing units are shared; product-specific equipment (apricot pitting, fig screening) is added.
For raisin processing line design and a quotation based on your capacity, contact us.