In the food and beverage industry and in pharmaceutical production, washdown design is a must for machine and production facilities. Periodic cleaning and sterilization carried out during the processes are a key requirement, which heightens the demands and requirements on the drive technology used in these facilities. Drive manufacturer Nord Drivesystems has developed technologies such as the NSD TupH surface conversion process and a new series of washdown helical bevel gear drives. These advancements in drive technology provide solutions for machine builders and users.

Nord Drivesystems has been delivering washdown drive solutions for the food and beverage industry for some time. In addition to the new washdown optimized two-stage helical bevel gear units, Nord now also offers solutions that are designed to withstand frequent, intense, and aggressive cleaning processes which may include exposure to acids and alkaline solutions. All of the external surfaces of the gear drives have been designed with wide radii and optimized for cleaning solutions to wash off easily in all installation positions. Through additional measures, such as the innovative NSD tupH surface conversion process, the gear drives can be equipped with extra protection for specific applications. Designed according to the proven Unicase principle, they provide excellent stability, high efficiency, and unrivaled versatility. The series covers five frame sizes with torques ranging from 800 to 5,800 in-lbs. All models are available in two versions: an open frame extremely lightweight yet rigid construction style, and a closed type.

The washdown gear units are especially small and lightweight. Additionally, the power density has been improved by 60 percent when compared to its predecessor. These gear drives are suited not only for food industry applications, but also for other fields where standard helical bevel gear drives are used, like conveyor and material handling applications. The compact new gear drives feature larger, higher capacity output shaft bearings and are therefore suited for high forces. If required, optional double seals can be used to ensure increased safety and further eliminate the possibility of cross contamination. Adding to the gear drives versatility, they are equipped with a compact NEMA or IEC motor adapter. They can be combined with both Nord's state-of-the-art motors or with motors from other manufacturers, allowing customers to flexibly configure drive solutions. The washdown gear drives are expected to be available from the second quarter of 2012.