Machine design, FSMA, and electric rod actuators

Machine designers who serve the food processing industry face a huge opportunity.  Purchases of equipment are expected to grow 7% a year to around $70 billion by 2020.

Not surprisingly, consumer demand is fueling this growth, but equally important in the U.S. is the Food Safety Modernization Act or FSMA.  This legislation requires that food processors be proactive on food safety, that is, they must identify potential hazards and mitigate them.

A major result of the FSMA has been stepped up cleaning requirements and increased demand for hygienic equipment. That equipment needs washdown-ready components like electric rod actuators.

For more information on specifying electric linear actuators for food processing, download our white paper.

How equipment designers can help

Because of FSMA, food processors are establishing and documenting food safety procedures that cover manual and automated processes.  Their to-do lists include

• identifying what parts of FSMA relate to their facility
• identifying the individuals who will oversee implementation of their plant’s food safety plan
• identifying potential allergen and biologic hazards
• evaluating the facility and supply chain
• specifying procedures that mitigate hazards (procedures that range from handwashing to equipment washdowns)
• validating that these procedures are effective
• verifying that procedures are followed
• re-analyzing the plan every three years
• planning for how to handle recalls

Food processing equipment designers can help by designing with food safety in mind. In other words:

• No areas where food residue can accumulate and grow micro-organisms
• Use of only food-safe substances, like lubricants
• No possibility of cross-contamination with potential allergens
• Washdown-ready, clean-in-place design
• Clear documentation

Design issues for electric rod actuators

Electric linear actuators used in food processing equipment can meet these hygienic standards with:

• A design that sheds moisture
• No crevices that could trap residue
• Corrosion-resistant body, seal, gasket, and fastener materials
• IP67 or IP69K rating to stand up to washdowns
• Food-safe lubricants

ERD actuators for food processing

Our line of ERD electric rod actuators includes IP69K  hygienic actuators that are approved for use in meat, poultry, and dairy food processing applications, as well as stainless steel SS2 models with IP67 and IP69K ratings for washdown-ready performance.

Learn more

Our white paper, Evaluating actuators for washdown in food & beverage applications, will give you the information you need when specifying electric linear actuators for food processing equipment. Download it here.

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