Benefits of VSDs in the food and beverage industry
Third Quarter 2023
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Modern electric motor control technology has become increasingly necessary in the food and beverage industry, enabling businesses to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and drive significant business improvements. Within this sector, variable speed drives (VSDs) can contribute to optimising operations and achieving tangible benefits.
“Historically, the use of VSDs was reserved for large-scale operations. Contrary to this misconception, VSDs are not limited to specific operation or high-power applications,” says Referro Systems MD, Adrian van Wyk. “Even within the food and beverage industry, small-scale systems can benefit from their implementation. Modern VSDs are designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, debunking the notion that they are complex and challenging to operate.”
By collaborating with reputable manufacturers and experienced suppliers, companies in the food and beverage sector can substantially improve their efficiency and product quality, lower costs, and elevate their overall operation, safely. In addition, adopting VSDs yields long-term advantages, contributing to sustainable growth, which ultimately leads to business success.
VSDs offer precise control over motor speed, torque and direction, allowing optimal performance and energy efficiency during regular operational processes. This level of control enables you to tailor motor speed to match production requirements, resulting in energy savings, machine reliability, and improved productivity. Critical food and beverage functions such as mixing, filling and packaging can be fine-tuned to optimise operations, reduce waste and enhance the quality of food and beverage products.
Moreover, VSDs provide additional benefits beyond energy savings. Their ability to minimise mechanical stresses during start-up, and reduce peak current demand, enhances overall system reliability and longevity. This translates into increased equipment lifespan and reduced maintenance costs.
When considering the implementation of VSDs, it is crucial to assess factors such as motor insulation ratings and potential voltage stresses. “To ensure informed decision-making, accurate information and training for customers is essential, making sure they fully understand the benefits and considerations of VSD technology,” says van Wyk.
Embracing VSDs in the food and beverage industry empowers companies to unlock significant benefits, including substantial energy savings, increased productivity, and equipment reliability. Integrating advanced motor control technology provides a competitive advantage within this dynamic sector. By harnessing the capabilities of VSDs, businesses can optimise their processes, streamline operations, and position themselves at the forefront of industry innovation.
Further reading:
Control without complexity
Axiom Hydraulics
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
In an era where precision, performance and smart control define industrial success, the right driver can make all the difference. At Axiom Hydraulics, we’ve seen firsthand how the Sun Hydraulics XMD series transforms hydraulic systems, from mining and construction to agriculture and automation.
Read more...
Planetary gear units for high torque requirements
SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Packing a compact design, along with high torque and low-speed outputs, the new SEW PPK and SEW P2.e planetary gear units from SEW-EURODRIVE offer new capabilities in continuous heavy-duty applications where space is at a premium.
Read more...
Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.
Read more...
Servicing the electric motor sector
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.
Read more...
Powerful high-precision hexapod
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.
Read more...
Why turbomachinery should break free from vendor lock-in
Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Today’s modern turbomachinery control systems form an important of operational efficiency, be it in heavy industries, traditional power generation or renewables such as hydroelectric facilities. Independence is the name of the game, and turbomachinery stands to gain lot from this newfound freedom.
Read more...
Industrial gear units for mixing and agitating processes
Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Nord Drive Systems encompass modular drive configurations that ensure optimum performance of mechanical speed control for specific applications in almost every industry.
Read more...
PC-based control for a food capsule and pod packaging machine
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
For TME, a machine builder specialising in the packaging of powdered foods, Beckhoff’s PC-based control technology offers unlimited opportunities when it comes to performance and innovative capacity in terms of flexibility, scalability and openness.
Read more...
New torque sensors for fastening applications
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Sensor Technology, a global leader in innovative torque and load measurement solutions, has launched its latest advancement in torque sensing technology.
Read more...
Miniature position sensor for precision motion control applications
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The ILPS-13Z Series miniature linear variable inductive transducer position sensor is designed to deliver exceptional performance and reliability for a wide range of industrial and laboratory applications, including automotive R&D, motorsports, motion control, medical, military and aerospace.
Read more...
printer friendly version