The food processing and sorting industry faces dual pressures from increasingly stringent global food safety regulations (like HACCP) and rising labor costs. Automation, intelligence, and hygienic design have become central to equipment upgrades. In this sector, motion control components must operate under extreme conditions: on one hand, the production environment (especially in meat, seafood, and dairy processing) is extremely humid, requiring equipment to withstand frequent high-pressure, high-temperature (up to 80°C), and chemical (acidic/alkaline) washdowns. On the other hand, processes like visual sorting, volumetric filling, and high-speed cutting demand actuators with extremely high speed, dynamic response, and positioning accuracy. Consequently, “high protection rating (IP67/IP69K),” “corrosion resistance,” and “high precision” are rigid requirements for motors in this industry.
AKT Product Solution
AKT deeply understands the stringent hygiene standards and high-performance needs of the food industry. We offer drive solutions centered on high-protection-rated Brushless DC Motors (BLDC) and stainless steel Hybrid Stepper Motors.
- High-Pressure Washdown Solution:
For harsh environments with frequent washdowns, we provide high-protection-rated BLDC and stepper motors (IP65 and above, customizable to IP67). These motors feature fully sealed structures, waterproof cable glands, and double-lip oil seals to effectively resist direct impact from high-pressure water jets. For corrosive environments, we offer motors with stainless steel (SUS304) housings and special coatings to ensure long-term resistance to rust from detergents and salt spray. - Hygienic Transmission Solution:
Our Planetary Gearboxes are also available with high protection ratings and stainless steel options. The gearboxes are filled with food-grade lubricant (H1-rated) and feature a fully sealed design to ensure zero leakage, fully complying with food safety production standards. The high efficiency of planetary gearboxes (compared to traditional worm gears) also reduces system energy consumption and heat. - High-Performance Control Solution:
For high-speed optical sorting systems, our high-performance BLDC motors (with low inertia) paired with BLDC drivers deliver millisecond-level dynamic response. For dosing and positioning in cutting, our high-resolution hybrid stepper motors (e.g., 0.9° step angle) combined with micro-stepping drivers achieve extremely high precision in position and flow control.
Engineering & Customization Capabilities:
We offer comprehensive customization for food machinery: including custom stainless steel output shafts (to match customer’s cutting or mixing mechanisms), hygiene-compliant cables, and driver enclosures that are either remotely mountable or equally high-protection-rated. Our engineering team is familiar with the industry’s material and sanitary requirements and can assist clients with integrated hygienic design.
Typical Application Equipment Examples
- High-Speed Optical Sorters:
On fruit, nut, or seafood sorting lines, high-speed pneumatic ejectors or diverter arms require extremely fast response. Our high-response hybrid stepper motors or small BLDC motors, with their rapid start-stop capability and precise positioning, ensure accurate rejection of defects on high-speed production lines. - Dosing / Slicing Equipment:
Whether piston-based fillers or ultrasonic cutters, these applications demand extreme precision and repeatability. Our high-torque stepper motors (e.g., NEMA 23, 34) or BLDC servo systems, paired with planetary gearboxes, provide stable, powerful, and jitter-free motion. Precise pulse control from the driver enables micro-liter-level filling accuracy or sub-millimeter cutting precision. - Meat / Poultry Processing Lines:
This equipment operates in the core zone of high humidity, grease, and frequent washdowns. Our IP67 stainless steel BLDC motors combined with stainless steel planetary gearboxes are the ideal choice for driving conveyors, cutters, and mixers. Their fully sealed, corrosion-resistant design ensures reliable operation even after daily intensive cleaning, significantly reducing downtime and maintenance costs associated with motor failure.
Summary
AKT is committed to providing drive products for the food processing and sorting industry that meet both stringent hygiene standards and exceptional motion performance. Through high-protection-rated BLDC motors, stainless steel stepper motors, hygienic planetary gearboxes, and matching drivers, we help customers build safer, more efficient, and more durable automated equipment, ensuring both regulatory compliance and high operational reliability.