Leading a New Era in Chocolate Manufacturing: LST’s Innovation and Total Solutions


In the competitive landscape of premium confectionery, mastering the art and science of chocolate production is paramount. As consumer preferences evolve towards healthier, sustainable, and highly personalized products, manufacturers in the mid-to-high-end chocolate market face increasing pressure to innovate and optimize their operations. This demands not just equipment, but

comprehensive solutions that blend precision, efficiency, and adaptability.


Popular Science: The “Soul” of Chocolate – Tempering and Grinding

● Tempering:

Chocolate tempering is a critical step in producing high-quality chocolate. It involves precisely controlling the chocolate’s temperature curve to form
stable crystal structures of cocoa butter
(primarily Type V crystals). Proper tempering imparts an appealing gloss, a crisp “snap,” a smooth mouthfeel, and a longer shelf life. If tempering is done incorrectly, the chocolate may develop “bloom,” characterized by white streaks or spots on the surface, affecting both appearance and taste.

● Grinding/Conching:

After roasting, winnowing, and grinding, cocoa beans become cocoa liquor. To achieve the delicate mouthfeel of chocolate, this liquor (often mixed with sugar, milk powder, etc.) needs to be refined through precise grinding equipment, such as ball mills or conches. The purpose of grinding is to reduce particle size to
20-25 microns or even finer, eliminating grittiness and allowing the chocolate to melt smoothly in the mouth, releasing richer flavors. This process, also known as “conching,” not only improves texture but also helps to evaporate undesirable volatile acids, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the chocolate.

Against this backdrop, the demand for mid-to-high-end chocolate equipment is rapidly increasing. Manufacturers are seeking machinery that offers
high levels of automation, efficiency, precision, and flexibility
to meet market challenges and seize new growth opportunities.

LST factory

LST: An Innovation Leader in Mid-to-High-End Chocolate Equipment

Chengdu LST Science and Technology Co., Ltd. (LST), established in 2009, has been dedicated to providing “total solutions” for the global chocolate industry. LST specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of mid-to-high-end chocolate equipment, with a product line covering every stage from initial cocoa bean processing to final chocolate product packaging. Their aim is to help professionals and potential clients achieve excellence in chocolate production.

The LST Ecosystem: Comprehensive Chocolate Manufacturing Solutions

LST’s extensive product portfolio ensures seamless integration and optimized workflows at every critical stage of chocolate production. LST’s commitment to delivering mid-to-high-end chocolate equipment is evident in the advanced features and robust construction of each machine.


Precision Grinding: LST Ball Mills for a Smooth Mouthfeel

The journey to silky-smooth chocolate begins with meticulous grinding. LST’s ball mill machine for chocolate is designed for this crucial step, capable of refining cocoa liquor, sugar, and other ingredients to an
ultra-fine particle size of 18-25 microns. This precision is vital for achieving the desired texture, flavor release, and mouthfeel that defines premium chocolate.

LST’s vertical ball mills, available in capacities from 150L to 1000L, address common industry challenges with the following features:

  • Robust Construction: Entirely made from food-grade AISI 304 stainless steel, ensuring hygiene and durability.
  • Efficient Cooling: Integrated water inlets and outlets prevent heat buildup during grinding, preserving the delicate flavor profile of the chocolate.
  • Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Engineered for significantly reduced noise and energy consumption, coupled with intuitive designs for easy cleaning, thereby maximizing uptime and minimizing operational costs.
  • Reliable Components: Equipped with high-quality Durrex pumps for stable and leak-free chocolate paste transfer.
Commercial Peanut Chocolate Almond Cashew Nut Sugar Coating Machine

Perfect Consistency: LST Chocolate Tempering Machines

Tempering is both an art and a science, essential for chocolate’s stability, snap, and gloss. LST offers a diverse range of chocolate tempering machine solutions, catering to various production scales, from compact 5.5L dispensers for artisan workshops to industrial 100L continuous tempering units.

LST’s innovation in tempering is reflected in these key features:

  • Advanced Control: PLC and HMI touch screen interfaces provide precise temperature control and process automation.
  • User-Friendly Design: Features like removable food-grade plastic screw pumps for easy cleaning and quick chocolate changes; dual motors designed for extended motor life; and a “night mode” for energy efficiency.
  • Versatility: Many tempering machines can be equipped with various attachments for coating, moulding, and vibrating, enabling diverse product creation.

Creative Shaping: LST Chocolate Moulding Machines

For manufacturers looking to produce complex solid, filled, or multi-layered chocolates, LST’s chocolate moulding machine solutions are paramount. The full automatic chocolate production line, particularly the “one-shot” moulding machine, exemplifies LST’s commitment to automation and product versatility.

These machines offer:

  • Diverse Product Capabilities: Produce pure solid, filled, two-color, and nut-mixed chocolates. They can also integrate biscuits or wafers, expanding product possibilities.
  • Full Automation: Automates mould feeding, heating, depositing, vibrating, cooling, and demoulding, ensuring consistent quality and high throughput.
  • Precision and Efficiency: Equipped with high-precision cam rotor pumps for continuous material mixing and stable ratios, achieving high production efficiency and accurate depositing.
  • Recipe Programming: Supports product recipe programming storage, allowing quick changes in chocolate color and product type within minutes.

The Perfect Finish: LST Chocolate Coating Machines

A flawless coating elevates a confectionery product from good to exceptional. LST’s chocolate coating machine offerings, including rotary drum coaters, are designed for automated and precise application of chocolate and sugar coatings on various candies and confections.

These machines feature:

  • Full Automation: Automated loading, coating, unloading, spraying, dust removal, and cleaning processes.
  • Controlled Environment: Operates within a controlled temperature and humidity environment, ensuring consistent coating quality and preventing contamination.
  • Multi-Functionality: Capable of coating products of various shapes, making them suitable for a wide range of confectionery items.

Beyond the Core: Supporting Equipment for a Complete Solution

LST’s holistic approach extends to crucial supporting equipment, ensuring a truly end-to-end solution:

  • Cocoa Butter Press: Efficiently extracts cocoa butter from cocoa nibs, supporting both cold and hot pressing methods.
  • Chocolate Syrup Machine & Melting Tanks: Crucial for the precise preparation and temperature control of chocolate mass and other liquid ingredients, ensuring optimal consistency for subsequent processing stages.
  • Cooling Tunnels: Featuring multi-stage cooling designs, precise digital temperature control, and space-saving vertical options, these tunnels are critical for proper crystallization and product setting.

LST’s Unwavering Commitment: Innovation, Quality, and Global Support

Innovation Driven by a Professional R&D Team

LST maintains a professional R&D team dedicated to continuous innovation, targeting the implementation of
three new high technologies annually. This proactive approach, combined with the integration of advanced control systems like Siemens PLC and HMI touch interfaces, ensures that LST machines are at the forefront of confectionery technology, providing clients with future-proof solutions. The strategic use of imported, high-quality components from renowned global brands such as Copeland compressors, SEW motors, and ABB drives further enhances the
reliability, performance, and longevity
of LST equipment, giving our clients a distinct competitive advantage.

Assurance of Quality, Reliability, and Safety

Quality and safety are paramount in food processing. LST’s machines are constructed with
food-grade AISI 304 stainless steel, ensuring compliance with strict hygiene standards. Multiple products have obtained CE certification, signifying adherence to European safety, health, and environmental directives. While LST’s official channels could benefit from a more consistent display of these certifications, their presence on third-party platforms and the company’s
“100% quality inspection before leaving the factory”
policy underscore their commitment to delivering safe and reliable machinery.

Comprehensive Global Service and Support

LST’s dedication to customer success is exemplified by its
“global lifetime after-sales service”
and
“free professional English technical support.”
This comprehensive support includes remote debugging capabilities, video installation guides, and the option for engineers to provide on-site installation and training. This extensive post-purchase support minimizes downtime and ensures that clients, regardless of their global location, receive timely and expert assistance, reinforcing LST’s reputation as a customer-centric partner.

Operational Efficiency and User-Centric Design

LST designs its machines with the user in mind. High levels of automation, intuitive touch screen controls, and features that simplify installation, disassembly, and cleaning contribute to
enhanced operational efficiency. The emphasis on space-saving designs, such as vertical cooling tunnels, addresses the practical challenges faced by manufacturers with limited facility space. This dual focus on performance and practicality makes LST equipment appealing to a broad spectrum of clients, from small artisan workshops to large industrial operations.

Competitive Value Proposition

LST positions itself as a provider of mid-to-high-end chocolate equipment that offers
exceptional value. By leveraging direct factory supply and economies of scale, LST provides advanced, high-quality machinery at competitive prices. This strategy allows businesses to invest in sophisticated, automated solutions without prohibitive capital expenditure, making LST an attractive choice for those seeking a balance of performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Positive third-party ratings on platforms like Alibaba, including high store scores and on-time delivery rates, further validate LST’s market standing and customer satisfaction.


Conclusion: Partnering with LST for Future Success

For professionals in the chocolate industry seeking to optimize their production capabilities, innovate their product lines, and ensure consistent quality, LST offers a compelling partnership. Their
comprehensive chocolate production and packaging solutions, including advanced ball mill machines for chocolate, precise chocolate tempering machines, versatile chocolate moulding machines, and efficient chocolate coating machines, are designed to meet the evolving demands of the global confectionery market.

LST’s unwavering commitment to
innovation, stringent quality control, and unparalleled global after-sales support
makes them the strategic choice for businesses aiming for sustained growth and excellence in chocolate manufacturing. Contact LST today to discuss your specific needs and discover how our advanced equipment can transform your chocolate production.