Linear technology for the food industry
Linear guides for the food industry and packaging technology are specialized, highly hygienic components of automation technology. They enable precise linear movements (such as gripping, positioning, or packaging) under extreme conditions without compromising food safety. These guides must comply with strict hygiene regulations (FDA, EHEDG), be corrosion-resistant, and often operate without external lubrication to avoid product contamination.
Core aspects and features:
- Hygienic Design & FDA Compliance: The components are made of corrosion-resistant materials (mostly stainless steel 304L/316L or specialized high-performance plastics). They feature smooth, rounded surfaces without dead zones where residues or germs could accumulate.
- Maintenance-Free and Low-Maintenance: To prevent contamination from lubricants, polymer plain bearings (e.g., iglidur) are often used, which operate dry.
- Corrosion Resistance: They withstand daily ‘washdown’ processes, meaning cleaning with aggressive detergents, water, and high temperatures.
- Durability: Resistant to sugar solutions, fats, oils, and salt.
- Applications: Process automation in filling, pick-and-place tasks, format adjustments (e.g., packaging sizes), palletizing, and positioning food before cutting.
Types of Linear Guides:
- Stainless Steel Profile Rail Guides: High load capacity, often lubricated and sealed with food-grade grease.
- Linear Plain Bearings (Plastic/Stainless Steel): Maintenance-free, ideal for clean rooms and direct food environments.
- Roller Guides: Provide high running culture and precision with low friction resistance.
Benefits for the Food Industry:
- The use of these guides allows packaging machines to operate more quickly, format changes (e.g., from Bottle A to Bottle B) to occur faster, and downtime for cleaning to be minimized