西光エンジニアリング株式会社 / 株式会社沖友 List of Products and Services

We would like to introduce our microwave vacuum dryer. 【Features】 - The airflow-type microwave vacuum dryer is a patented product that has been commercialized ahead of the world through joint research with Kyushu Institute of Technology. - It can remove moisture from liquid, solid, and gel-like substances without additives, allowing for concentration and drying. - You can choose to control the drying temperature and microwave output. There are also models that measure the weight of the dried product and control based on weight. - The design ensures uniform heat generation density in the dried product through electromagnetic wave analysis of microwaves. As a result, it achieves a good temperature distribution with minimal drying unevenness and high thermal efficiency. - The drying time at around 40°C is 3 to 4 hours, allowing for fast drying, and in food drying, it produces dried products that retain aroma, color, and nutritional value at low cost. - This drying method solves the issues of freeze-drying (high equipment costs and expensive drying costs, resulting in porous dried products that change in texture, color, etc.). - It enables "room temperature drying at around 40°C," "short drying time of about 3 hours," and "low-cost drying," leading to widespread applications in the drying field. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.*

• Other food machinery

The "sugokan Lab" is a microwave vacuum dryer suitable for research and development. We offer two types: a weighing type and a turntable type. It outputs drying time, vacuum pressure, microwave power, and the temperature of the dried material. The weighing type continuously measures and outputs the weight of the material being dried, eliminating the need to stop the dryer to measure the weight. 【Features】 ■ Custom-designed and manufactured according to user needs ■ Always accepting drying tests and small-scale contract drying ■ Achieves concentration and drying of vegetables, fruits, and CNF at room temperature without additives ■ Practical application of air flow introduction microwave vacuum dryer ■ Realizes energy-efficient drying while preserving the color and flavor of the material *For more details, please refer to the PDF document.

• Other processing machines

I will introduce the principle of the "microwave vacuum dryer." When operating the vacuum pump and reducing the pressure inside the chamber, a vacuum near -93.94 kPa (the boiling point of water is 40°C) is maintained. Because the boiling point decreases under reduced pressure, moisture naturally evaporates, and during this process, the latent heat of evaporation is taken away, causing the temperature of the drying material to drop. Additionally, to prevent the drying material from freezing, only the latent heat of evaporation is supplied by microwaves, suppressing unnecessary temperature increases and inhibiting deterioration while progressing with the drying process. 【Process】 1. Place the drying material on a tray and close the door of the chamber. 2. Operate the vacuum pump to reduce the pressure inside the chamber. 3. Radiate microwaves to heat the drying material. 4. Introduce airflow to eliminate water vapor. 5. End of drying. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Drying Equipment

We also accept contract drying using microwave vacuum dryers. This may serve as a reference for tests before introducing dryers or for new business and product development. There is also the potential to add value to non-standard products or to discover unexpected applications. 【Flow of Contract Drying】 1. Meeting: Discuss drying conditions, pre- and post-drying treatments, schedule, etc. 2. Test Drying - Dry a small sample of raw material to confirm its condition. - The initial drying test will be conducted free of charge (return shipping will be via Yamato Transport with payment on delivery or you can pick it up). 3. Quotation: Calculate the price based on the test data. After the test is completed, we will provide you with data related to the drying process. - Drying temperature, drying time - Weight before drying, weight after drying - Moisture content, water activity value, etc. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to reach out to us.

• Drying Equipment

This document introduces the results of strawberry drying tests using microwave vacuum. It includes initial mass and moisture content, as well as numerical values for drying conditions such as initial output, airflow introduction amount, and pressure. Additionally, changes in moisture content, time and output control, and temperature control are explained with graphs. Please feel free to download and read it. [Contents] ■ Initial State ■ Drying Conditions ■ Moisture Content Change Graph ■ Time and Output Control Graph ■ Temperature Control Graph *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Drying Equipment

Our company aims to be a micro-business type regional enterprise. We are an intellectual small group that does not simply seek to grow larger, but is dedicated to being a regional company, always proposing systems that are suitable for our customers' objectives. In addition, we have established a system that can respond to requests in the fields of specialized machine development and product development. 【Business Activities】 ■ Development, design, and manufacturing of A&D using microwave heating ■ Development, design, and manufacturing of microwave vacuum dryers ■ Development, design, and manufacturing of roasting equipment for grains such as barley ■ Development, design, and manufacturing of mozuku processing equipment ■ Development of new products and processing machines together *For more details, please refer to the PDF materials or feel free to contact us.

• Drying Equipment

Our company was founded in October 1987 and is engaged in the design and development of machines in the fields of roasting and drying. Since our establishment, we have been manufacturing roasting machines for Ito En's barley tea, and currently, Ito En holds about 45% of the domestic market share for barley tea, with the majority of this produced using our roasting machines. On the other hand, in the drying field, we have successfully commercialized the world's first air-flow type microwave vacuum dryer. This machine can dry materials such as vegetables and fruits without compromising their color and flavor, while achieving high thermal efficiency. In addition to food, it can also be used for the concentration of cellulose nanofiber solutions, which are gaining attention as lightweight and high-strength new materials derived from plants, as well as for the production of catalysts essential for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Amidst the growing focus on a decarbonized society and the SDGs, it has become a core technology with future potential. 【Our Strengths】 ■ First in the world to commercialize the air-flow type microwave vacuum dryer ■ Contributing to a decarbonized society and the SDGs ■ Connection with the community ┗ Our diligent efforts have led to the establishment of a friendship city partnership between Miyako Island and Fujieda City. *For more details, please refer to our catalog or feel free to contact us.

• Drying Equipment

The "RSR-1000-02" is a continuous roasting device that uses a heat medium and roasts through far-infrared effects. The stirring inside the roasting drum is uniform, eliminating roasting inconsistencies, and it is possible to perform roasting in stages, such as in a double or triple configuration. It can be used for roasting granular raw materials such as barley, soybeans, corn, brown rice, cassia seeds, and job's tears. 【Features】 - No hot air is used, so there is no reduction in aroma. - The temperature of the heat medium is controlled with an accuracy of ±1°C. - The heat medium can be selected based on the raw materials being processed (industrial silica sand, white dragon crushed stone). - The stirring inside the roasting drum is uniform, eliminating roasting inconsistencies. - It is possible to perform roasting in stages, such as in a double or triple configuration. - Due to the continuous roasting method, the de-salting device can be made smaller. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Heating device

The "RK-150" is a batch-type direct fire roasting device that mixes and roasts inside a drum. Since it does not use hot air, it can achieve a fluffy finish while preserving the aroma. The drying process, preliminary roasting, and finishing roasting can all be operated with one machine. It can be used for roasting granular raw materials such as barley, soybeans, corn, and millet, as well as leaf-shaped materials like green tea, jujube, and bear grass. 【Features】 - Detects the temperature of the roasted product and controls the temperature - Allows operation of the drying process, preliminary roasting, and finishing roasting with one machine - Capable of automatic multi-stage processes, enabling unmanned operation - Provides uniform stirring inside the roasting drum, eliminating roasting inconsistencies - Roasting using a heat medium is also possible depending on the raw materials. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Heating device

We would like to introduce our roasting equipment, the 'RSR-1000-02/RK-150'. The "RSR-1000-02" is a continuous roasting device that uses a heat medium and roasts with far-infrared effects. Since it does not use hot air, it allows for a fluffy finish while preserving the aroma. Additionally, the "RK-150" is a batch-type direct-fire roasting device that roasts by mixing and stirring inside the drum. 【Features】 <RSR-1000-02> ■ Roasting using a heat medium ■ Achieves a fluffy finish without unevenness due to far-infrared effects ■ No reduction in aroma since it does not use hot air ■ Temperature of the heat medium is controlled with an error of 1°C ■ The heat medium can be selected based on the raw materials being processed (industrial silica sand, crushed white dragon stone) *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Heating device

To alleviate our customers' concerns during disasters, we have established a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and have begun full-scale operations. At our Okinawa branch, we have assigned personnel capable of providing after-sales service and design, ensuring that we can continue to serve our customers even during disasters. Additionally, we have entered into a business partnership agreement with a cooperating company in Hokkaido, allowing us to collaborate not only during disasters but also on a regular basis, working together to improve our management while enhancing our technical capabilities and building trust. 【Features】 <Okinawa Branch> ■ All data necessary for the production and maintenance of machinery is stored in a bank safe deposit box in Naha City. ■ We have personnel capable of providing after-sales service and design, ensuring that we can continue to serve our customers even during disasters. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Drying Equipment

We would like to introduce our founding philosophy and management policy. Aiming to be a research and development-oriented manufacturing company, our first step is the research and development of drying and roasting machines with excellent thermal efficiency for "decarbonization." Additionally, as a micro-business type local company, our management policy is to aim to be the "engine of the future for the region." 【Founding Philosophy】 ■ Aim to be a "research and development-oriented manufacturing company" ■ The research and development of drying and roasting machines with excellent thermal efficiency for "decarbonization" is our first step. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Drying Equipment