A polishing pan is a solid pan, often canvas or felt lined, used to give a high gloss to sugar coated, chocolate coated, and film coated products. Gentle tumbling with a small quantity of wax, shellac, or polishing agent buffs the surface. Available for 5–200 kg, it is the final finishing step after sugar or chocolate panning.
Coated product is loaded into the lined pan and rotated at 4–20 RPM. A measured quantity of polishing agent (carnauba wax powder, beeswax solution, or shellac glaze) is added. Friction between product and liner develops gloss over 15–60 minutes. Cool, low-velocity air removes solvent and friction heat. Liners are removable for cleaning and replacement.
Challenges
Uneven Gloss
Poor wax distribution leaves dull patches.
Over-Polishing
Excess tumbling scratches or erodes the coat.
Liner Contamination
Fabric liners retain residues and support microbial growth.
Heat Build-Up
Friction softens chocolate and wax layers.
Solvent Vapour Exposure
Shellac glazes release alcohol vapour into the room.
Solutions
- Metered Polishing Agent Dosing: Fine powder or spray application gives uniform distribution.
- Timer and Speed Control: Recipe-controlled polishing duration and RPM.
- Removable Food-Grade Liners: Quick-change, washable liners with ribbed profiles.
- Cool Air Blower: Low-temperature airflow holds product temperature.
- Exhaust Hood with ATEX Option: Captures solvent vapour; explosion-proof motor available.
Applications
- Pharmaceutical: Dragee and sugar coated tablet polishing.
- Confectionery: Gloss finishing of chocolates, jelly beans, and dragees.
- Food: Nut, seed, and dried fruit polishing.
- Ayurvedic & Herbal: Pill polishing and silver or gold leaf finishing.
Models & Capacities: Laboratory to Large Production
| Model | Scale | Pan Ø [mm] | Batch Size [kg] | Brim Vol. [L] | Pan Speed [RPM] | Motor [kW] | Air Flow [CMH] | Heater [kW] | Overall L×W×H [mm] | Weight [kg] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLP-005 | Lab | 430 | 3–5 | 9.5 | 7–20 | 0.37 | 50 | 0.5 | 1050×750×1250 | 140 |
| PLP-010 | Pilot | 530 | 6.5–10 | 19 | 6–18 | 0.55 | 75 | 0.6 | 1200×850×1400 | 180 |
| PLP-015 | Pilot | 610 | 9.5–15 | 30 | 6–17 | 0.75 | 100 | 0.8 | 1300×900×1450 | 220 |
| PLP-020 | Pilot | 670 | 13–20 | 40 | 5–16 | 1.1 | 120 | 1 | 1350×950×1550 | 250 |
| PLP-030 | Production | 770 | 19–30 | 60 | 5–15 | 1.1 | 160 | 1.5 | 1500×1050×1650 | 310 |
| PLP-040 | Production | 840 | 25–40 | 75 | 5–14 | 1.5 | 200 | 1.5 | 1600×1150×1700 | 360 |
| PLP-050 | Production | 910 | 30–50 | 95 | 5–14 | 2.2 | 230 | 2 | 1700×1200×1800 | 410 |
| PLP-075 | Production | 1,040 | 45–75 | 140 | 4–13 | 3 | 310 | 2.5 | 1850×1350×1950 | 520 |
| PLP-100 | Production | 1,140 | 65–100 | 190 | 4–12 | 3.7 | 380 | 3 | 2000×1450×2050 | 610 |
| PLP-125 | Production | 1,230 | 80–125 | 240 | 4–12 | 3.7 | 440 | 3.5 | 2100×1550×2150 | 700 |
| PLP-150 | Production | 1,310 | 95–150 | 290 | 4–11 | 5.5 | 500 | 4 | 2200×1600×2250 | 780 |
| PLP-200 | Large Prod | 1,440 | 130–200 | 380 | 4–11 | 5.5 | 610 | 5 | 2350×1750×2400 | 930 |