FoodJet
Depositing head placing rows of paste dots on bread dough in baking tins

Alternatives to shower head and waterfall depositors

Shower heads, waterfalls, spot depositors, spray bars, enrobers and stringers work to a fixed setting: the material lands the same way each time, and the product has to be where the machine expects it. A FoodJet depositor works the other way around. Vision measures each product on the belt, and individually controlled nozzles place the material according to that measurement, in a pattern you set in software.

What do you use today?

Choose your current depositing technique. You see where it reaches its limit, how FoodJet solves that, and which application to look at next.

Close-up of red sauce deposited in dots on pizza bases under a row of depositing nozzles

Pizza sauce shower head alternatives

Alternative to a shower head

Replacing a pizza sauce applicator or shower head? A shower head releases sauce through a fixed hole pattern, while pizza bases are never perfectly in position or perfectly in shape. A FoodJet depositor calculates the deposit for each base.

Alternatives to a pizza sauce shower head · Surface filling

Alternative to a waterfall depositor

A waterfall pours a continuous layer across the belt, so the belt is coated as well and a sauce-free edge is not possible. A FoodJet depositor opens its nozzles only above the measured product.

Sauce on pizzas · Pies

Alternative to a chocolate enrober or dipping bath

An enrober or dipping bath coats the whole product. When you only need chocolate on top or in selected areas, a FoodJet depositor deposits it only there, from above. For a full coating, an enrober or bath remains the right choice.

Compound in waffle pockets · Chocolate on ice cream

Alternative to a spray bar

A spray bar sprays across the full width of the conveyor, so much of the material lands on the belt. A FoodJet depositor deposits it on each product.

Oil depositing · Cheese on buns

Alternative to a roller

A roller coats the belt, the baking tray and the product alike. A FoodJet depositor deposits the paste on the product.

Tiger paste on bread

Alternative to fixed tooling and moulds

Fixed tooling deposits one set shape, so each new shape needs its own tooling and a changeover. With a FoodJet depositor, a new shape or size is a recipe upload.

Butter on sandwiches · Batter depositing

Alternative to manual depositing

With manual depositing, output depends on how many people you have on the line. With a FoodJet depositor, the pattern and amount are in a recipe, and operators supervise the line.

Butter on sandwiches · Tiger paste on bread

Frequently asked questions about depositing alternatives

What is the difference between fixed-pattern and vision-guided depositing?

A fixed-pattern system applies the same deposit each time and expects the product in the same place. With vision-guided depositing, as FoodJet builds it, the deposit and the free edge follow the measured outline of each individual product, in real time on the belt.

Does a camera on a depositor mean the deposit follows the product?

No. A camera can also be used to find a position and then place a fixed pattern there. To tell the difference, put a crooked and an irregular product on the belt and look at whether the pattern changes with the product. You can see this in our test centre.

Do I have to replace my production line to change my depositing technique?

No. FoodJet specialises in the depositing step. The depositor adapts to your line, and the rest of your line stays in place.

Which products suit a FoodJet depositor?

FoodJet deposits liquid and semi-liquid materials from above, on an open surface or in an open form. Injecting into a closed product is not what these machines do. Read more about materials and viscosity.

How do I find out whether this works with my own product?

Test it with your own product and material. Read how testing and feasibility works, or request a trial.

Test it with your own product

Tell us what you use today and on which product. We will show you what changes on your line.

Every FoodJet system is configured and quoted to fit your line and your requirements.