Beverages bottled reliably with Schaeffler solutions for the food industry

Customer Success Story

Mit Schaeffler Lösungen für die Lebensmittelindustrie

Unser Kunde gehört zu den führenden Unternehmen der Lebensmittelverarbeitung und stellt Komplettlösungen für die Abfüllung von Getränken und pastösen Nahrungsmitteln her. Die komplizierten Anlagen müssen die Hygieneanforderungen bei der Herstellung von Nahrungsmitteln erfüllen und für einen störungsfreien Dauerbetrieb ausgelegt sein. Dabei kommt der Korrosionsbeständigkeit von Bauteilen eine ebenso wichtige Rolle zu wie der zuverlässigen Abdichtung von Lagern gegen Partikeleintrag und Schmiermittelverlust. Schaeffler erfüllt diese Anforderungen mit speziellen Lauf-, Stütz- und Kurvenrollen sowie Linearsystemen.

“Unsere Maschinen erfordern nicht unerhebliche Investitionen und sind für die Betreiber eine erfolgskritische Anwendung. Wir brauchen folglich Partner, mit denen wir kein Risiko eingehen. Uns war es wichtig, dass wir mit jemandem zusammenarbeiten, der ein tiefes Verständnis von der Branche hat. Die Lösungen haben wir in enger Kooperation entwickelt. Sie entsprachen damit genau unseren Anforderungen -sowohl technisch als auch qualitativ."

Michael M., Leiter der Entwicklung Abfüllmaschinen eines führenden Unternehmens aus der Lebensmittelverarbeitung

Benefits
Challenge
Solution
Technical Information
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Benefits

Customer benefits

Corrosion-resistant thanks to stainless steel or special coatings
Use of materials that are resistant to the cleaning agents used
Initial greasing with high-quality NSF-H1 lubricants
Maximum bearing service life thanks to effective protection against contaminants
Effective bearing sealing against the contamination of machines through the loss of lubricant

Challenge

Our customer’s filling machines fill beverage cartons with beverages or other liquid foods. For this process, our customer needed rolling bearing solutions for the molding and filling unit as well as linear systems for the final folding unit and linear drives in the machine. Specific requirements include the resistance of all components to corrosion and to the sterilization and cleaning agents used, the secure sealing of all bearings against the penetration of particles and the loss of lubricant, and initial greasing with high-quality NSF-H1-compliant lubricants.

“During the design and development phases of production plants, the foundation is already laid for resource consumption. It’s important to extend relubrication intervals and the operating life of components, reduce friction, and optimize seals.”

Michael Heid ,Vice President Business Food, Beverage, Packaging at Schaeffler

Speed and reliability are a must

For food and beverage manufacturers, fast and reliable filling and packaging processes are essential for cost-efficient production. That’s why the filling machines are designed for rapid cycle times and uninterrupted operation. At the same time, compliance with the strict hygiene requirements of food manufacturing and safety must be guaranteed.

Solution

Molding and filling unit

The filling machine processes the packaging materials that are continuously supplied from large rolls. The machine draws in the material and, in the first step, molds it into cartons. This is performed under a high load by yoke and stud type track rollers on a profiled cam in a sterilized environment. The components installed here have to be resistant to the foods being processed and to the sterilization and cleaning agents used.

We meet these requirements with special ball-bearing, yoke, and stud type track rollers.

Schaeffler yoke and stud type track rollers

Stainless-steel rolling elements, inner rings, and outer rings
NBR contact seals on both sides
Initial greasing with NSF-H1-compliant and kosher- or halal-certified lubricants
Outer ring with optimized INA profile

Folding unit (final folders)

After filling, the individual packages are placed in a row and removed from the filling machine to undergo the final packaging process, such as palletizing. Packages are handled by linear guidance systems. What’s unusual here is that the carriages are stationary and the guideways move. Resistance to media is once again required. The carriages also need regular relubrication.

We meet these requirements with Schaeffler monorail guidance systems configured as described below.

Special configuration of the monorail guidance system

Stainless-steel KUVE-B four-row linear recirculating ball bearing and guideway assembly
Carriage for connection to a central lubrication system using automatic lubricators
Initial greasing with NSF-H1-compliant and kosher- or halal-certified lubricants
Guideway fastened from below so that the top surface is smooth and easy to clean

Technical Information

Partnering with the food and packaging industry

Expanded food program: deep groove ball bearings, housings, and lubricants

Schaeffler offers a special range of corrosion-resistant and sealed standard deep groove ball bearings, initially greased with food-compliant lubricants, and housing units made of highly-resistant, white, glass fiber-reinforced plastic for sensitive areas in food processing. Schaeffler’s Lubtect lubricant compound is designed for extremely difficult application conditions and lubrication requirements. The porous but rigid polymer ensures reliable permanent lubrication.

All Schaeffler food industry solutions

Learn more about the solutions in use by clicking on the images below.