Stainless steel actuator for use in foodstuff production
 
The decisive factor for the quality of each and every piece of machinery is the use of high-quality components which meet the precise requirements of the respective application. Thus, for instance, the Econom push-rod actuator from elero Linearantriebstechnik ensures the precise positioning of components such as grab arms and butterfly valves – right down to the millimetre. The electric actuator is made of easy-to-clean stainless steel, requires neither any lubricant nor a hydraulic or pneumatic operating mechanism. Thus the Econom complies with the most stringent hygiene requirements, and may also be used in machinery for the production of foodstuffs, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
 

 
Precise and easy to clean
 
Alpma Alpenland Maschinenbau GmbH, for instance, uses the linear actuator in its cheese production units. The Econom has been integrated by Alpma into individual machines as well as into its production lines. Here it positions grab arms, opens and closes centring facilties, and moves automatic batch dischargers. For Siegfried Dürmeier, the head of development at Alpma, two aspects were decisive for the choice of the Econom: "In addition to the exact positioning, hygiene was a very important criterion. Ultimately, the smallest amount of contamination with bacteria can ruin the cheese during the later maturing process."Moreover, the long service life and the reliability of the linear actuators also play a role. In contrast to conventional pneumatic cylinders, they have a much longer service life. In this respect, they are less prone to malfunctioning, are insensitive to heat and cold, and are virtually maintenance-free. "And if we ever need spare parts in a hurry, elero delivers them very quickly indeed," says Dürmeier.

The linear actuators are not just suited to the foodstuffs industry, but also for other applications in engineering – and also in other areas, right through to façade technology. Thus, for example, the Econom moves the sun protection slats in the new Federal Chancellery. Here it is not so much the hygiene aspect of the stainless steel drive units which is in demand, but rather other qualities, such as the constant stroke speed.