Here's why you'll be eager for the MINI Actuator
Are you looking for a linear actuator with high protection class and great power in a compact space? Your search ends here. We assist manufacturers in the food and packaging industries in meeting high hygiene standards effortlessly, as our stainless steel MINI Actuator is edge-free and completely sealed.
Your solution:
- Compact actuators entirely in stainless steel with IP65 protection class for easier cleaning
- Round and compact design to avoid dirt pockets
- Permanently lubricated – no re-lubrication needed
- Easy control with no risk of leaks
- Suitable for low-temperature applications
Requirements of the food industry
Today, food products must meet a multitude of criteria. They need to taste good, look appetizing, be healthy, nutritious, and affordable, have a long shelf life, be easy to prepare, and ideally be available year-round. No untreated natural product can meet these demands. Given a market of approximately 450 million people in the European Union alone, it seems impossible to meet all these food requirements without highly industrialized food processing. At the same time, manufacturers are under significant pressure to comply with stringent food safety standards.
Key roles of Actuators
A crucial component in the food industry is Actuators, which are used in almost every area of food production—from handling raw materials to processing and packaging. GROB Antriebstechnik supports manufacturers in the food and packaging industries in meeting high hygiene standards effortlessly with its MINI Actuator series.
The family-owned company based in Sinsheim is an international specialist in linear drive technology. GROB Antriebstechnik is known as an innovative problem solver and partner in applications involving lifting, moving, and conveying. The company's MINI Actuators are well-suited for harsh environmental conditions, such as those found in the meat, poultry, and fish industries. They easily withstand high-pressure cleaning.
High hygiene standards in the food industry are met
The MINI Actuator meets the requirements of EU Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on food hygiene. For applications in the food industry, the compact actuators are available with an IP65 protection class. This ensures easy cleaning even in harsh cleaning environments, where the devices remain undamaged even under high-pressure hot water cleaning. The stainless steel housing is corrosion-resistant. Additionally, the MINI Actuator is edge-free and completely sealed. Its round and compact design prevents the formation of dirt pockets where contaminants could accumulate.
Thanks to lifetime lubrication, re-lubrication is not necessary. Since the Actuators are fully enclosed, no grease can escape or contaminants can enter. The MINI Cylinders are also suitable for low-temperature applications required for cooling or freezing, such as for meat and fish.
In the food industry, food safety is paramount. Consumers not only expect quality products but also safe food produced under optimal hygiene conditions. Therefore, food manufacturers prioritize cleaning and disinfection. A common method is wet cleaning, which requires equipment to withstand hot water and high pressure. Besides the design and material of the housing, perfect sealing is also crucial.
High performance in a compact size
The MINI Actuator series is distinguished by their exceptionally compact design relative to their performance. This makes them especially suitable for applications where space is limited. The MINI Actuators cover a broad range of applications thanks to a variety of standard options available. Despite their compact and lightweight design, they are highly robust and durable.
The series includes five sizes: MINI 0, MINI 01, MINI 1, MINI 2, and MINI 3, covering stroke speeds from 0.5 to 130 mm/s and capable of adjusting loads ranging from 1,000 to 26,000 N. For larger quantities, design modifications are also possible to tailor the Actuator to specific requirements.
The Actuator with integrated end limit switch is extremely compact, making it well-suited for reverse operation applications with tight installation conditions. The stroke length can be adjusted externally over the entire range, simplifying installation and setup. In its standard version, the Actuators are splash-proof (IP54). Optional spray water protection (IP65) and the use of stainless steel allow for deployment in harsh and aggressive environments, such as the hygiene areas of the food industry.
Advantages over hydraulic and pneumatic actuators
The general shift away from hydraulic and pneumatic actuators is further reinforced by this product. Since the MINI Actuator closely resembles a hydraulic cylinder in its external dimensions, the transition is made easier. The MINI Cylinder is a fully integrated system without an external pump. Its advantages over hydraulic and pneumatic technologies include better control, compactness, and leak-free operation, as well as a more favorable energy balance over its service life since no pump needs to maintain constant pressure.
Unlike typical lift actuators, the MINI Actuator is also available as a complete system with a brake, potentiometer, limit switches, and encoder, all within a single cylinder. The compact design is achieved by running the spindle through the motor. The motor's rotational motion is transferred to the spindle nut, which then creates linear motion of the screw. An integrated planetary gear system allows for the adjustment of high forces with ease. Additionally, each MINI Actuator is equipped with built-in limit switches and safety limit switches, eliminating the need for additional switches to be installed on the system.
