Less is sometimes more
SEW relies on innovative automation solutions to meet the global challenges of mechanical engineering.
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SEW-Eurodrive's automation solutions for the aseptic and ultra-clean sectors can be flexibly and modularly adapted to the customer-specific requirements of the food industry, as the examples of VMS-Maschinenbau and the Sterzing dairy cooperative show.
The yoghurt shelf in the fresh produce section is now like an entire department: from lactose-free products to vegan kefir and other milk substitutes to unusual flavours - consumers' demands in terms of quality and choice are constantly increasing. Issues such as sustainable packaging, gentle production and organic products are also becoming increasingly important. What hardly anyone realises at first glance are the challenges that this poses for production. Small batches, flexible production lines and fast machine retooling are just some of the requirements that the food industry and machine manufacturers must fulfil. Flexible machine design is just as important here as quick and easy machine cleaning. This is because hygiene requirements and legal regulations are also becoming increasingly stringent.
Flexible and clean for the hygiene sector
Whether in the UltraClean or aseptic area, the machines must be resistant to the cleaning agents used - a requirement that the automation components in the machines must also fulfil.
„We have these developments in mind and offer diverse and flexible hardware and software modules. We have now expanded them to include a broad portfolio of stainless steel servo motors for the ultraclean and aseptic sectors.“
Sarah Herberger, Product Life Cycle Manager at SEW-Eurodrive
The product portfolio for the hygiene sector includes Stainless steel gearboxes from planetary to angular gearboxes and stainless steel servomotors (CM2H).
The product portfolio must also function reliably in permanently humid environments. For this reason, special housing designs and particularly high-quality stainless steels are used. The housing has no recesses. Dirt pockets and moisture accumulation are thus avoided, and the smooth surfaces are easy to clean and resistant to acids and alkalis. „Thanks to stainless steel production, the solutions in this line are corrosion-free, available up to protection class IP 69K and also fulfil the strict guidelines of the European Hygienic Engineering Design Group (EHEDG),“ explains Sarah Herberger. In addition to the drive technology, SEW-Eurodrive's modular range also includes the electronics and the associated software.
Even more flexible assembly
A new highlight is the B5 flange as an option on the stainless steel servo motor for the hygiene sector. „This allows us to create even more flexibility in the machine design, for example by using an angular gearbox,“ emphasises the Product Manager. This flange Facilitates the mounting of various stainless steel gearboxes from the modular automation system from SEW-Eurodrive, thereby expanding the variety of solutions for the customer. „A great deal of expertise is required to identify the right software and hardware that is also suitable for the aseptic area,“ emphasises Sarah Herberger. SEW-Eurodrive has taken on precisely this challenge and developed the StarterSET Horizontal Fill and Seal progressive - Hygienic (637), an integrated automation solution for horizontal filling and sealing machines for the aseptic sector. This provides customers with a complete automation solution from a single source that integrates seamlessly.
SEW-Eurodrive develops its solutions in close cooperation with its customers. The example of VMS-Maschinenbau GmbH shows that the products in the hygiene sector are also convincing in practice. Founded in 1994 and based in Obersontheim near Schwäbisch Hall, the company has over 70 employees and is one of the global technology leaders in machines and systems for aseptic filling in the dairy and food industry. To ensure high product quality and efficiency in production, VMS-Maschinenbau relies on automation solutions from SEW-Eurodrive. Because the demand for environmentally friendly packaging is increasing, VMS has expanded its machine portfolio to include the Kontifill GlasslineFilling and capping machines that enable, among other things, the filling of dairy products such as yoghurt into glass containers.
It is particularly important to clean the machine during operation in accordance with the regulations. Robustness is essential here to prevent corrosion, as all parts that come into contact with the product are sterilised with saturated steam at 143 °C. „Together with VMS-Maschinenbau, we have developed a customised and flexible automation solution that meets these requirements,“ explains Sarah Herberger. The solution fulfils the highest hygiene requirements up to log6 and is also suitable for CIP (Cleaning in Place) and SIP (Sterilising in Place) processes in order to meet the validation requirements in the aseptic area. „It was also important that the machine manufacturer was able to fulfil the end customer's requirements for modularity and flexibility in terms of automation in order to create a Quick retooling of machines for different products and small batches to make this possible,“ says Ms Herberger. The components from SEW-Eurodrive also score highly here, as they enable the flexible configuration of the systems and thus contribute to the efficiency of production.
Sustainable filling
VMS-Maschinenbau has successfully placed the Glassline on the market - including at the Milchhof Sterzing co-operative. Milchhof Sterzing is one of the oldest and most traditional dairies in South Tyrol. The company's main area of business, in which it continues to operate successfully both nationally and internationally, is the production of yoghurt. Its dairy products are characterised by quality and sustainability and include organic products. Furthermore Sterzing dairy farm also attaches great importance to sustainable packaging of its products. Glass containers are therefore used for the organic yoghurt. The Glassline from VMS fulfils the high hygiene requirements and offers the necessary robustness to withstand the demanding cleaning processes. The automation solution from SEW-Eurodrive is also convincing here: it offers the necessary robustness for the aseptic area and the flexibility for rapidly changing customer requirements.
„Milchhof Sterzing is a good example of how important close cooperation is. The company benefits from the cooperation between VMS and SEW-Eurodrive. We have considered the requirements of the end customer right from the start. This has enabled us to provide a fully automated filling line that can be used flexibly in the aseptic area,“ explains Sarah Herberger. In addition, solutions from the automation experts are already in use at Milchhof Sterzing in other areas: for example in the conveyor technology of the packaging line, where the drive and automation solutions ensure smooth processes and high efficiency.
Into the future with innovative strength
Customer requirements are constantly increasing, but the picture is also characterised by new legal requirements and rapidly changing technology trends. Machine manufacturers and producers will have to react even more flexibly to this in the future. The dynamic nature of the industry requires a high degree of adaptability and willingness to innovate. SEW-Eurodrive is keeping an eye on these developments and accompanies its customers through change processes with customisable automation solutions. „With our extensive portfolio of stainless steel gearboxes, stainless steel servomotors, suitable automation components and software, we help to fulfil the high standards in hygienic production environments. Our solutions are individually customisable and modular - to cover current and future requirements in the best possible way,“ summarises Sarah Herberger.
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