• Willmes Sigma horizontal pneumatic presses
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Willmes Sigma horizontal pneumatic presses

Sigma wine presses are designed and manufactured by internationally renowned Willmes (established in 1918), who invented the modern pneumatic press and continue to innovate and make top quality equipment with features not found on other presses. Sigma horizontal pneumatic wine presses feature a double-sided membrane for double the area of pressure application, vertical flexible juice channels with Perfect-Flow mesh for impressive, high quality & economically efficient press results. See Features for the Willmes Pressing Principle. It can be used for whole-cluster or mash processing; vertical or axial (supplied as standard) filling; maceration in the tank; pressing with inert gas, additional cooling, reductive or oxidative grape processing.

Models are available from 2,900 up to 32,000 litre capacities.

When compared with conventional pressing systems, Sigma benefits include:

  • 50% lower pressure - the double membrane technology doubles the area of pressure application, thereby halving the pressure at the same force
  • Higher juice yield - the short juice paths through the vertical juice channels, the perforated area of the Perfect-Flow mesh and double the area of pressure application allows yields up to 95% at pressures of less than 0.8 bar and results in an extremely high quality must
  • Shorter pressing time - with the Willmes Pressing Principle (see Features), pressing times are reduced by up to 30%
  • up to 70% less lees - a lower amount of fine lees due to lower pressure, the particularly fine mesh tissue, fewer rotations and fewer pressing cycles; the gentle processing of grapes frequently results in only 2% lees, so net juice yield and must quality are significantly increased
  • 30% more filling quantity - due to the special design of the press body and the vertical juice channels, the juice can flow directly into the filling position, without rotations of the press body being required; the result is optimised pre-juicing conditions and a a considerably higher amount of filling material

Read our blog The Willmes Pressing Principle for more information.

Installed & commissioned by our Engineers.

Please ask us about our customer Case Studies.

 

Please see the Presses - Grape category in Catalogue for our range of grape presses.

Please see the Crushers & Destemmers - Grape category for our range of grape crushers & destemmers.

For accessories, please see our PPE & Tools categories.

Features

The Willmes Pressing Principle:

  • Double membrane technology:In contrast to a half-sided membrane, the double-sided membrane has a substantially larger (double) area of pressure application. In terms of physics, this means less pressure expenditure and less compression of the material to be pressed at the same force, which acts uniformly from all sides on the material to be pressed.
  • Vertical, flexible juice channels: The double-sided membrane presses the material to be pressed against the vertical juice discharge areas, which act like natural drains. Irrespective of the filling height, this always results in the same short juice paths, which allows the juice to drain more directly and quickly. If the membrane is relieved of pressure (vacuum released), the material to be pressed falls together. The lateral pressure direction and the flexibility of the juice channels lead to continual self-cleaning of the mesh tissue. This makes the rotational effort for crumbling negligible and fewer pressing cycles are required. The mechanical load on the material to be pressed is kept to a minimum; therefore, there are less lees and a higher yield of juice of premium quality.

Other features include:

  • Hermetically sealable door openings
  • Intelligent pressing programs, which are perfectly adapted to all grades and types of grave harvest for optimum pressing results
  • Easy and intuitive operation via touch-screen
  • Automatically controllable juice drain at a central point, saving space, preventing unwanted oxidation and environmental influences, simplifies the logistics of juice control and helps to keep the press cleaner
  • The vertical juice channels can be be dismantled & installed quickly for easy cleaning
  • Corner and edge-free press body for minimal dirt traps and reduction in cleaning times
  • Optional door ventilation valve for reductive expansion
  • Control centre with reversible blower for an efficient and energy-saving pre-pressure and evacuation control (integrated compressor optional)
  • Optional remote module for PC/tablet/smart phone

 

Specification

Approximate pressing times:

  • Whole cluster: 2.5 hours
  • Fresh grapes: 2 hours
  • Fermented grapes: 1.5 hours

Sigma 3 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 2.1 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 7.5 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 12 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 3740 x 1870 x 2120

Sigma 4 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 2.8 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 10 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 16 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 4740 x 1940 x 2180

Sigma 5 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 3.5 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 12.5 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 20 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 4740 x 1940 x 2260

Sigma 6 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 4.2 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 15 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 24 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 5180 x 2100 x 2530

Sigma 8 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 5.6 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 20 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 32 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 5890 x 2100 x 2530

Sigma 9 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 6.3 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 22 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 35 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 5470 x 2300 x 2810

Sigma 10 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 7 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 25 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 40 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 6930 x 2100 x 2530

Sigma 12 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 8.4 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 30 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 48 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 5970 x 2500 x 2800

Sigma 16 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 11.2 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 40 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 64 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 7100 x 2500 x 2880

Sigma 24 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 16.8 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 460 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 96 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 7720 x 3060 x 3460

Sigma 34 model

  • Maximum weight
    • Whole cluster: 23.8 tonnes
    • Fresh grapes: 85 tonnes
    • Fermented grapes: 136 tonnes
  • Dimensions L x W x H (mm): 9720 x 3060 x 3460

Other special models of Sigma are available - please ask for more information

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Willmes

Willmes is highly respected and valued in the global wine industry. They invented the pneumatic grape press, they continue manufacture very high quality ('golden standard' as they call it) equipment with features not found on other presses, and they export to 20 countries.

Here are some of the reasons why we choose Willmes:

  • Established in 1918, they have over 100 years' experience of pressing technology
  • Their engineers invented the pneumatic grape press (in 1951)
  • Their press systems meet the highest requirements of quality and efficiency in grape processing, and produce high quality juice at low pressures
  • The Willmes pressing principle, which consists of double membrane technology and vertical juice drains, and when compared with conventional systems, this results in 50% lower pressure pressing, <40 or 70% lower lees (depending on model), 25% or 30% more filling quantity (depending on Willmes model), and yields <90 or 95% at pressures of less than 0.8 bar (depending on model). Read our Willmes Pressing Principle blog for more information on these results.
  • Their presses are easy to operate, easy to clean, and very low-maintenance
  • Their presses also allow good pressing performance with small amounts of grapes
  • All Willmes presses are manufactured in Germany

Blog

Read our Willmes Pressing Principle blog.

The Range

We supply the renowned Sigma and Merlin Willmes Presses.

Case Studies

There are at least 20 Willmes presses giving good service in UK wineries. Please call us to ask about our recent installations.

What we offer

In partnership with Willmes, we can offer you:

  • Advice on the appropriate equipment for you - taking budget, space and desired throughput into consideration
  • A comprehensive quotation outlining our recommended solution/s
  • Full machine specifications with clear pricing
  • Multi-skilled (Vigo) engineers to install and commission your equipment on site and provide training to you and your production operatives
  • Comprehensive 12 month warranty, backed up by our team of Vigo engineers
  • Maintenance & full technical backup and support from our mobile engineers

How can we help you?

If you're looking for a grape press for your winery, please give us a call on 01404 892 100 and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.

 


CAREFULLY SELECTED MANUFACTURERS

We have been supplying producers in the drink industry since 1984. We work with renowned manufacturers throughout Europe and in America to bring you robust and efficient production and processing equipment, backed up by our team of Vigo engineers. The manufacturer listed above is just one example. See our Manufacturers page for a list / more information on the manufacturers we are proud to work with.

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