For some who have read our previous blogs, you might notice that I posted a Dough Rounder 101 a year ago. However, after a year’s learning, I now have a deeper understanding of bun dough rounders and the role it plays in the whole baking process.
Therefore, I’ll rewrite some this part, introducing how different types of dough rounders work, with the knowledge I’ve gained during my research on a bundle of bakery equipment manufacturers and modern bun dough rounding machines.
Types of Dough Rounders
According to the way of rounding, dough rounders can be classified into 6 types. This is the most obvious and clear way of categorizing dough rounding machines. Thus I’ll explain this part in detail later.
①Conical dough rounder
②Cylindrical dough rounder
③Belt dough rounder
④V-Type Rounder
⑤Eccentric dough rounder
⑥Dough divider rounder
According to the ease of operation and rounding efficiency, they can be divided into 3 types.
①Manual dough (divider) rounder
②Semi-automatic (divider) rounder
③Fully automatic rounder
According to the size, capacity and output of the machine, they can be divided into tabletop dough rounder, dough rounder for retail bakery, dough rounder for wholesale bakery, etc.
①Conical Dough Rounder
Structure
Conical dough rounder is the most commonly seen form of rounders in bakeries, pizzerias, and all kinds of flatbread factories. It is mainly composed of the base, cone, spiral rounding channel and conveyor belt. Some of the rounders are equipped with flour dusting device. Machines are usually mounted on wheels for easy movement.
The cone and rounding channel are usually coated with non-stick materials like Teflon, which is always applied to kitchen appliance owing to its anti-adhesion ability. Well, when I say usually, it means not all manufacturers do this. Therefore, you might want to confirm this with the supplier before you purchase.
Working Principle
Conical dough ball rounder machine is suitable to be placed between dough divider and dough proofer. When the dough pieces enter the rounder, it is irregular with sticky cut surface. The friction between dough piece, cone and rounding guide stretches and form it into round dough ball with a new smooth outer surface.
②Cylindrical Dough Rounder
Structure
Cylindrical dough rounder is a variation of conical rounder. It mainly consists of cylindrical drum and spiral rounding track.
Compared with conical rounder, cylindrical rounders usually have smaller dimension, which enables them to be placed in space-deprived kitchens or bakeries.
Working Principle
Just like conical one, the friction of the dough pieces between the drum and spiral rounding track forms their round shape. At the same time, dough pieces move upwards to the outlet with the rotating spiral track.
③Belt Dough Rounder
Structure
This type of dough rounder is composed of a conveyor belt and a rounding bar above the belt. The bar is set at an specific angle.
Working Principle
The dough is rounded due to the friction while it passes through the belt.
MFITALY produces typical belt dough rounder. The speed, inclination and height are all adjustable, enabling the machine to handle dough pieces of 500 – 750 – 1000 grams.
④V-Type Rounder
Structure
As the name implies, this rounder is composed of two belts positioned in the shape of V.
Working Principle
Two belts are driven or run at different speed, thus creating friction to shape the dough pieces into dough balls.
In most cases, belt and v type rounders are equipped with flour duster. This is to prevent the dough from sticking to the belt or the rounding bar. However, regular cleaning and maintenance is also needed to keep the machine sanitary and operating normally.
Operators are supposed to adjust the speed, angle and length of the belt and the bar to round dough pieces of different specifications.
⑤Eccentric Dough Rounder
Structure
Eccentric dough rounder is mainly composed of cone, rounding track around the cone and conveyor belt. As the picture shows, Friulco R10 and Probake rounder are two typical eccentric rounders.
Working Principle
The circular movement with eccentricity shapes dough pieces into regular dough balls and dough balls will be received by the conveyor belt.
This type of rounder is mild and gives less stress to the dough, thus it is suitable for dough after proving, saving the fermented structure of the dough.
⑥Dough Divider Rounder
Structure
There are mainly two types of dough divider rounders. One type is composed of a volumetric dough divider and a rounding plate, which is plastic.
The other type of dough divider rounder is shaped like a hydraulic dough divider. It always comes with interchangeable dividing boards, so that the bulk dough can be divided into various weight.
Bun dough divider rounder is very popular among small sized bakeries and pizzerias. Dividing and rounding bulk dough by just one machines saves costs and space. To cater to this market trend, bakery equipment manufacturers worldwide design and develop various divider rounders, including DOYON, Dutchess Bakers’ Machinery Company, etc.
Working Principle
For the first type, the cutter divides the dough according to the volume and then divided dough pieces fall into the rounding plate. Rotating and moving in the rounding plate, dough pieces will be rounded.
For the second type, the machine divides dough into limited numbers of portions. Then the board and head rotate and shake to shape the dough into dough balls.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading this post. If you still have any questions about types of dough rounder and how do they work, feel free to leave a comment.
●The Most Comprehensive Purchasing Guide to Dough Dividers in 2022
