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To prevent particles and microorganisms from contaminating the end product during the production process, stringent cleaning routines have been established in such sectors such as food, cosmetics, pharma and chemicals. Components, machines and systems used in these industries must therefore fulfil special hygienic design requirements. A hygiene-compliant design facilitates cleaning and minimizes the risk of contamination. Gears must likewise have a hygienic design.

Gears with a hygienic design

Numerous factors are relevant for the hygienic design of gears. Important criteria include the materials used, the condition of edges and surfaces, the shape of components, the type of connections, the sealing concept and resistance to corrosion. The gear must be designed with no dead spaces, gaps or recesses where cleaners or residue from production could accumulate. Hygienic design requires smooth surfaces, rounded edges, corrosion-resistant materials and food-safe lubricants.

Hygiene-compliant design of gears:

• Rounded gear housings
• Smooth surfaces
• No cast parts, sharp edges or protruding elements
• Corrosion-resistant materials
• Optimised connecting elements and seals
• Food-friendly H1 lubricants

Neco^® gears: An economical solution for hygiene-sensitive applications

Hygienic design is based on the motto: As much as necessary and as little as possible. After all, not all applications require the entire spectrum of design measures for fulfilment of the relevant hygiene regulations. For those who want to avoid using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, the new Neco^® series is the perfect choice.  A clean, enclosed design with smooth surfaces is the foundation for a good hygienic design.

The Neco^® series comprises two versions:

• Neco^®: High-precision servo gears for automation
• Neco^®HT: Compact high-torque gears for heavy loads

Hygiene-friendly gears for fast and efficient cleaning

The Neco^® and Neco^®HT series  are completely enclosed cycloidal gears with a hygienic design that fulfils the most stringent standards for performance and user convenience. Rough cast components and sharp edges have been completely eliminated. Screw connections are on the application side, which eliminates screw holes and protruding elements on the motor side. Smooth surfaces and a rounded gear housing prevent the accumulation of foreign matter to allow the unhindered flow of fluids. This minimises the risk of contamination and ensures fast and efficient cleaning. The number of interfaces has been reduced to a minimum. Instead of using a separate interface to connect each motor type, a flexible system with modular sleeves and flanges guarantees easy adaptation of all standard servo motors.

Neco^® and Neco^®HT at a glance:

• Extreme precision (hysteresis loss <0.5 arc.min)
• High shock resistance (up to 500 % of the rated torque)
• Modular system
• Full corrosion protection 
• Clean, closed design
• Maximum flexibility in motor connection
• Minimal engineering and installation expense
• Durable, low-maintenance construction
• Economical plug-and-play solution

Custom-tailored high-precision gears with a hygienic design

If there is no suitable standard product, diverse customer requirements for hygienic design – such as stainless steel, enclosures or a custom finish – can be implemented based on the modular Neco^® system. This makes it possible to meet even the most stringent hygiene requirements. All solutions are developed by Nabtesco in cooperation with the customer and adapted to the particular application.

Would you like to learn more about the hygienic design of gears and the advantages of the  Neco^® series for your application? Click here for more information.