Rapid in-line jelly texture control via real-time gelation monitoring

Overview

CoaguSens™ Connect is a process instrument designed for real-time, non-destructive monitoring of gelation in food-manufacturing environments. It enables manufacturers to control texture and firmness in heterogeneous products, including jellies containing particulates, directly on the production line. By measuring gel viscoelasticity as it evolves, the system supports automated decisions that improve ingredient dosage and product consistency.

The technology is already deployed in cheese production, where it tracks milk coagulation and pinpoints the optimal curd-cutting firmness. The same patented measurement principle is used in Rheolution's laboratory instrument, ElastoSens™ Bio, which has demonstrated reliable performance on highly heterogeneous materials such as hemostatic agents in blood and superabsorbent polymers during swelling. This makes CoaguSens™ Connect a strong candidate for in-line jelly texture control.

Technical specifications

Key features:

• Patented VeTBiM vibration-based technology measures shear elastic modulus in real time
• Non-destructive and contact-free measurement using single-use sample holders
• Designed for routine use by operators in intensive production environments
• Connects to PLC control systems for automated at-line decisions, vat after vat
• Suitable for heterogeneous products containing particulates
• Easy to operate, with a path to customized software adaptations for quality indicators, descriptors, and predictive indicators

How it works:

The system applies a gentle vibration to the sample and measures the material's viscoelastic response. This provides precise, repeatable data on gel firmness without disrupting production. The instrument can be integrated into existing production lines and configured to trigger actions based on defined firmness thresholds.

Technology readiness level

CoaguSens™ Connect is already operating in cheese plants, where it has proven its readiness for routine production use. For jelly applications, Rheolution proposes a staged validation path: in-house testing on customer-supplied samples to tune measurement parameters and establish a standard operating protocol, followed by on-site testing in the actual production environment. Software adaptations can be implemented to meet specific requirements such as PLC communication and quality indicators. Each phase gates the next, ensuring evidence and alignment before further investment.