3D PRINTER TECHNOLOGY IN FOOD INDUSTRY
3D printers are today’s production tools that work with the logic of a laser or printer and are defined as “additive manufacturing”, transforming products from a digital medium into a three-dimensional solid object. 3D printer technology has an important place in the fourth industrial revolution called Industry 4.0. So much so that 3D printer technology is also emerging in the food industry.
There are two main reasons why 3D printer technology is used in the production of food products. The possibility of enriching the nutritional value of foods, secondary to the controlled production of food materials at large and small-structural levels, and the improvement of the appearance and unique structure of traditional food products. Many features of foodstuffs to be produced using 3D printer technology should be known.
Importance of 3D Printer Technology in Food Industry
No need for special tools and equipment during production, reducing labor force, affecting the quality properties of the product (color, shape, texture, aroma, etc.) and easily adjusting the raw material content used when necessary, preventing food waste, saving time and shows the importance of the existence of three-dimensional printer technology.
Food Products Produced by 3D Printer and Types of Printers Used:
Biscuit doughs that can maintain their geometric shape after being printed with a 3D printer in the biscuit dough mixture have been developed. FDM technology is used in this production.
It is foreseen that 3D food printers will be preferred in pasta production.
It was realized with the 3D food printer mentioned in the introduction of the system that chocolate forms shapes in 3-dimensional layers directly by extrusion and this shape can be preserved. FDM system is used in this printer.
With the 3D food printer system, melted cheese, peanut butter and pastry coating products were tested. In the cake covering confectionery, geometrical and intertwined shapes, which are very difficult to prepare by hand, have been studied and successful results have been obtained.
It is predicted that 3D printers will be an alternative production 3D printer technique in meat products with future studies.
Result
The 3D printer technique, also known as additive manufacturing, which has become the most widely used technology of today with the developing industrial revolutions, has a great place in the food sector as it appears in many areas. It appears in more than one area such as the production, enrichment, shaping, and suppression of food. 3D printer technology has brought a new dimension to the food industry and has benefited from the production of high nutritional value, personalized foods. 3D printer support has become an integral part of the food industry in changing technological innovations and its importance is expected to increase in the coming years.
