Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions asked by Customers requiring information on the Novatek Divider/Rounder

Where can I see a Novatek Divider/Rounder?

- The majority of installations are in the UK and the USA. There are also machines installed in Eire, Belgium, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Mexico, New Zealand and Canada. Some of the units have been designed especially for use in supermarkets, others to suit a particular dough type (eg. Tortilla, Brioche). Please contact us should you wish to look at a Divider/Rounder in operation.

What is the dough piece weight range and output for the Novatek Divider/Rounder?

- Product weight range 10g to 500g with the use of size parts

- Output pieces per hour -

10g to 140g – 3000 pieces per row per hour
140g to 208g – 2100 pieces per row per hour
208g to 500g – 1800 pieces per row per hour

- Product weights achieved, mould quality and machine output depends on the dough used.

Nb. Machines can be adapted for a particular dough piece weight and hourly output. Please contact us with your specific requirements.

Is vegetable oil used on the Novatek Divider/Rounder?

- The Novatek Divider/Rounder is not a suction divider and does not require any type of vegetable oil. The use of such oils on the machine or in the dough mix may prevent the machine from operating efficiently.

What percentage water to flour ratio can the Novatek Divider/Rounder handle?

- Tests have shown that up to a 63% water to flour ratio can be handled. However, this ratio may change significantly if fruit, oils or fatty substances are also added to the dough mix.

Do you sell second hand machines?

- On the odd occasion when customers are upgrading to new machines we do receive second hand machines which may be available for upgrade or sale.

Questions asked by Customers’ Engineers

Why can’t I get my machine to start?

There are numerous possibilities as to why your machine will not start. Only a qualified electrical engineer should follow the following procedures to determine the cause and then rectify the problem.

Possible mechanical problems

- A drive chain or timing belt has snapped. Check all the drive chains/belts and replace if necessary. Do not replace belts without first determining the cause of the failure. This should not occur if regular preventative maintenance is carried out on the machine.

- A faulty hydraulic unit or a hydraulic unit set to too high pressure on a Divider/Rounder could cause the motor to overload. If the hydraulic unit does not collapse during each cycle of the machine the pressure applied to the dough will act like a brake pad to the dividing cylinder, in the case of a Novatek Divider/Rounder or the back pocket mechanism, in the case of the 2,3 and 4 pocket XL type Divider/Rounders. This breaking effect could also overload drive chains and possibly move the mechanisms out of time with each other.

Possible electrical problems

- Check that that the mains electrical isolator is turned on and that you have a 3 phase electrical supply to the machine. Also check that none of the phases are down. The white mains light should illuminate if mains electrical supply is present, if not check the bulb and replace if necessary.

Nb. 24VDC controlled machines.
Check that the power supply is working correctly and that it is giving 24V to the white mains light. Earlier machines were 240VAC control.

- Check that all the doors are closed and that all the ‘E’ stops are released. This includes all machinery that has an electrical connection to the Divider/Rounder. A very high leve l of c alls to the Service Desk that relate to machines not running are due to door swi tches not cl osed or being faulty.

- Check the green ready light. If it is not illuminated then either the bulb is blown, in which case replace the bulb or the stop circuit of the machine is not resetting which usually means one of the door switches is faulty. You will need to check each switch in turn. Also check that the ‘E’ stop switches are functioning correctly.

Nb. 24VDC controlled machines.
Check that the power supply is working correctly and that it is giving 24V to the green ready light. Earlier machines were 240VAC control.

- Check that the end of line plug (stand alone Divider/Rounders only) is secured in place. Divider/Rounders having other equipment attached should have their electrical connection plugs and sockets checked.

- Machines with a safety relay installed will need the contactors checking as a faulty contactor will prevent the ‘E’ stop circuit from resetting. The green ready light will not illuminate until the ‘E’ stop circuit is reset. Older machines did not have a safety relay fitted.

- Novatek 428 roll plants that have a Panner (Tray Loader) that have optional no tray/no drop facility installed, must ensure that a baking tray is always present on the table at the time of loading otherwise the plant will stop.

- If the safety circuit is functioning correctly (i.e. green light illuminated) and the machine still does not start then check the motors. Remove the motors from the machine and apply a 3 phase electrical supply direct to motor to see if they run.
Nb. The main drive motor is a braked motor so make sure there is a supply to the brake.

- Faulty inverter drives will prevent the machine from running. Check the inverter displays for fault codes and then refer to the inverter manual.
Nb. Older machines did not have inverter controlled motors

- Unsecured wiring connections can cause intermittent faults. It has been known for screw type terminal connections to work loose, check electrical connections if necessary.

Service and Spare Parts

Who do I contact for machine service and/or spare parts for Oddy machines?

- If you purchased your machine from another supplier other than Newsmith Stainless Ltd or Oddy Limited you should contact that supplier initially, otherwise contact Newsmith Stainless Ltd.

- If you are not getting satisfactory service or spares supply from your supplier contact Newsmith Stainless Ltd. Contact personnel are as follows:

Service/Spares Dave Massey – email dmassey@newsmiths.co.uk

Technical Keith Morton – email kmorton@newsmiths.co.uk

Electrical Dave Lister – email dlister@newsmiths.co.uk

Newsmith Stainless Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)1924 405988
Fax: +44 (0)1924 403304

What information do you require from me regarding the machine I have?

- The make/model of the machine you have.

- The machine serial number or previous owner if not purchased from Oddy Limited or Newsmith Stainless Ltd

- Your company name, full postal address, contact name and telephone number.

How do I pay for service and/or spare parts?

- New customers who do not have an account with Newsmith Stainless Ltd are able to pay on pro-forma invoice prior to an account being set up.

- Please note that we do not have the facility to receive credit card payments .

- Payment for service work will be accepted by cheque if the cheque is presented in advance of the work being carried out. We are unable to accept post-dated cheques

Can I still obtain spares for the Oddy older type suction Divider/Rounders?

- The 2 Pocket XL (type 30), 3 Pocket XL ( t ype 35) as we know them are being phased out due to their age and lack of demand. The 4 Pocket XL (type33) was made obsolete some time ago, however, some minor parts such as belts, bearings, motors and electrical items in some cases can be supplied. We are unable to supply the major parts that are manufactured from castings.

Can I still obtain spares for the Oddy Sausage Roll machine and Pastry Brake?

- The Sausage Roll machine and Pastry Brake are now obsolete due to their age and lack of demand. We are unable to supply the major parts that are manufactured from castings

Can I still obtain spares for the Oddy Chocolate/Fondant Enrober?

- The Chocolate/Fondant Enrober is now obsolete due to its age and lack of demand. We no longer stock any parts or provide service for this machine.

Can I still obtain spares for the Novatek Divider/Rounder?

- The Novatek is our current design of Divider/Rounder and all parts are available. This type of Divider/Dounder has now been in production since 1988. Older machine parts may have to be upgraded to current design.

Can I still obtain spares for other Oddy machines not listed above?

- We can supply most parts for machines purchased from Oddy Limited. The key to supplying parts is identifying the machine. Please supply as much information as possible about your machine when placing an order.