The versatile Satake VTA

The Vertical, Top Feed, Abrasive Rolls (also known as the VTA) was first designed and manufactured in 1993 by the Satake Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan. Originally manufactured for the rice milling industry, the was supplied as part of the world renowned Satake rice milling systems; These systems incorporate the VTA (abrasive milling), VBF (friction milling), and the KB (polishing) machines which, very quickly, became the standard for rice milling across the world, with approximately 5000 VTA units currently in operation. Satake’s rice milling systems are still the preferred choice for rice milling to this day. Using the same machine body, structure, and main drive motor, numerous cereal grains and pulses can be processed through the VTA unit. By simply changing the standard abrasive rolls and/ or screens, the required dehulling/debranning/ splitting actions can be achieved. Cereal grains and pulses currently being processed utilising the Satake VTA include rice, wheat, barley, sorghum, millet, peas, lentils, soybeans, and chickpeas. How can this one machine process such a wide variety of grains and pulses? Let’s take a closer look at the VTA operational benefits on these products.