Roller Uncapping Machine with Steam Generator SAF

01 · HOW IT WORKS

Discs that slit, not a blade that tears

Hold the frame by the top bar and lower it between the two rollers: hundreds of thin stainless discs, mounted on springs, slit the cappings in transverse lines on both faces at once, without tearing off the wax layer. In the extractor the honey comes out through those slits. The comb keeps its cells and most of its capping wax, so the bees have it ready sooner than a knife-cut comb; in exchange the honey carries a little more fine wax in suspension, which stays in a 200-400 micron filter. It is the system for anyone with supers waiting who does not want to go frame by frame with the blade.

02 · THE STEAM

Hot discs for cold or thick cappings

The steam generator, a separate electric unit housed in a bucket with lid, sends steam by hose to the rollers and keeps the discs hot while you work: they do not stick, do not drag and go into the cold cappings of first thing in the morning or the thick ones of heather and eucalyptus without forcing. As with any generator, distilled water and switch-on a few minutes before starting, which is what it takes to give steam.

03 · WHERE IT GOES AND WHICH FRAMES

On the table, five formats

The stainless frame rests on the uncapping table, so cappings and honey fall into the usual tray; at 564 × 388 × 174 mm it takes no more room than a frame lying flat. The rollers span Langstroth and American Langstroth, Dadant and Dadant US and Zander frames, according to SAF, with no parts to change between formats: with a mixed apiary nothing is adjusted between batches. It cleans with hot water, without dismantling the rollers.

04 · BEFORE YOU BUY

The uncapper is supplied with its steam generator, bucket and hose; uncapping table and filter come separately.