5. Ultrasonic cutting

Although ultrasound has long been used in cutting-edge technologies such as welding and medical imaging, research into and applications of ultrasound technology for cutting food products are relatively recent. The first patent in this sector, for pastry cutting, dates back to 1974. Since then, this technology has developed considerably, providing solutions to a wide range of cutting problems involving soft, sticky, fluffy, crumbly and heterogeneous foods.

• Definition

  Ultrasonic cutting is an operation that :

  • is performed using a tool called a sonotrode (figure 10 );

  • enables products to be divided according to a precise geometry to obtain smaller...