Kollmorgen Highly Efficient Servo Drives Bring High Performance to Washdown and Hygienic Environments

Kollmorgen Highly Efficient Servo Drives Bring High Performance to Washdown and Hygienic Environments

Kollmorgen, a global leader in motion control and automation solutions, is expanding the application of its Kollmorgen Highly Efficient Servo Drives (KED) to hygienic and washdown environments. The KED is designed for simplicity, flexibility, quick commissioning, and reliable performance. By pairing these high-efficiency drives with AKMA stainless steel washdown motors and AKMH hygienic stainless steel servo motors, machine builders can now achieve high-performance motion control in demanding washdown applications without the excessive costs typically associated with such systems.

The Kollmorgen Highly Efficient Servo Drives feature out-of-the-box support for multiple industrial Ethernet protocols, including EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET, providing extensive connectivity while reducing system and inventory complexity.

Efficient Absolute Feedback for Washdown Applications

To further enhance value, AKMA and AKMH motors can now be equipped with SFD-M (Smart Feedback Device, Multiturn), enabling Kollmorgen Highly Efficient Servo Drives to support absolute multiturn positioning in hygienic and washdown environments. SFD-M provides high-resolution absolute feedback without the costs and maintenance associated with battery-backed encoders. Its energy-harvesting technology stores position information through power cycles, while embedded motor data enables automatic drive configuration, speeding up commissioning for all Kollmorgen servo drives, including KED, AKD, and AKD2G.

"High-resolution, absolute multiturn feedback has traditionally required an upgrade to more expensive servo systems," says Chris Cooper, Director of Global Product Management. "By integrating SFD-M into our AKMA and AKMH motors and pairing them with Kollmorgen's high-performance servo drives, we offer the same precision and control in an efficient solution specifically designed for food and beverage, pharmaceutical packaging, and other washdown applications."

Designed for Washdown and Hygienic Environments

AKMA motors feature an anodized aluminum housing with an IP69K protection rating, suitable for moderate to heavy washdown applications. AKMH motors feature an IP69K sealed stainless steel construction, ideal for daily washdown environments involving high-pressure, high-temperature, and corrosive cleaning agents. By utilizing SFD-M in these expanded motor families, Kollmorgen provides a unified 24-bit absolute feedback solution that delivers consistent precision across diverse environments. Combined with Kollmorgen Highly Efficient Servo Drives, machine builders gain high-performance motion control solutions they can trust in washdown and hygienic applications.

About Kollmorgen

A brand under Regal Rexnord, Kollmorgen has over 100 years of motion control experience. We are known for providing high-performance, reliable motors, drives, AGV control solutions, and automation platforms. Our groundbreaking solutions excel in performance, reliability, and ease of use, providing machine builders with an undeniable market advantage.

EtherCAT (Beckhoff Automation GmbH); EtherNet/IP (ODVA, Inc.); PROFINET (PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e.V.). Regal Rexnord is a trademark of Regal Rexnord Corporation.

Advancing Hygienic Motion Control: Kollmorgen’s Commitment to Washdown Excellence

Chris Cooper, Director of Global Product Management at Kollmorgen, emphasized that the integration of SFD-M technology into the AKMA and AKMH motor series represents a significant leap forward for the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. By delivering high-resolution, absolute multiturn feedback without the burden of battery maintenance, Kollmorgen enables machine builders to achieve superior positioning accuracy in the harshest environments. This solution not only optimizes control performance but also significantly reduces the total cost of ownership for hygienic machinery.

1. Superior Engineering for Harsh Washdown Environments

• AKMA Motors: Anodized aluminum housing, IP69K rated for moderate to heavy washdown applications.
• AKMH Motors: IP69K sealed stainless steel construction, engineered for daily exposure to high-pressure, high-temperature, and corrosive cleaning agents.

2. Consistent Precision Across Diverse Operational Conditions

By unifying the 24-bit absolute feedback platform across our extended motor families, Kollmorgen ensures consistent precision regardless of the operational environment. When paired with Kollmorgen Highly Efficient Servo Drives (KED), manufacturers gain a robust, high-performance motion control ecosystem that remains reliable even under the most demanding sanitary protocols. This is more than just a component upgrade; it is a foundational shift in how we approach motion control in regulated hygienic production lines.

3. Continued Innovation and Global Support

Kollmorgen remains dedicated to driving the future of automation. We continue to invest in core intelligent technologies, providing our customers with comprehensive solutions that bridge the gap between hardware and software. We are committed to launching products that meet the personalized demands of global markets, working hand-in-hand with our customers to solve the world's most complex motion challenges.

4. Committed to a Smarter Future

At Kollmorgen, we believe in engineering a smarter future. Let us move forward together to redefine the limits of motion control performance.

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