INSTRUMENTATION • ELECTRONICS
High standards define hygienic design principles for machines and components to avoid bacterial contamination of food and beverage products
chemicals, polyurethane with UHMWPE should be used. For ease of maintenance, a cartridge design, such as that used on Tolomatic’s RSH actuator, enables quick seal replacement without the need for specialised tools, while its dual seal system increases protection. To ensure effective operation and long life, an actuator for use in food and beverage applications must also be able to withstand varying temperatures. Dealing with potentially freezing conditions through to high extremes, a versatile actuator for food and beverage production should be able to cope with a range spanning from -10° through to 40C°. Additionally, an important design consideration is whether to integrate the motor or use a more traditional approach with a separate device. Te advantage of an
integrated system is a sealed unit, reducing potential points of ingress and with fewer points for bacteria collection. Tis design also increases the unit’s protection, reducing maintenance requirements and increasing actuator longevity.
ONGOING MAINTENANCE Following machine design and eventual installation, attention to appropriate ongoing maintenance should also be undertaken to maintain optimum hygiene and long-lasting operation. Typically, actuators are lubricated at the factory, ready for installation. However, the internal screw will require re- lubrication at pre-determined intervals. Actuators with grease ports, such as Tolomatic’s stainless steel designs, help ensure optimum operating condition
by allowing fast and simple lubrication without disassembly or the need for special tools. For additional support on machine design and ongoing care, including actuators and motion control devices for hygienic food and beverage applications, Inmoco’s engineers have extensive experience supporting OEM designers achieve the requirements. While the demands of the manufacturers continue to increase, by carefully following hygienic design principles, the value that machine builders provide can rise to the challenge with careful component specification.
Gerard Bush is with Inmoco.
www.inmoco.co.uk
www.engineerlive.com 51
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