A “washdown environment” is one that utilizes either by hand or by automatic means, cleaning with water, chemicals, or a mixture of these. This washdown process can be as simple as a cloth and bucket, use of a hose to spray clean, or it can be under sophisticated high pressure and controlled systems. The design and build of processing, packaging, handling, and automation equipment in a washdown environment creates challenges for the design engineer specifying the components within the system. Adding additional pressure in industries that handle food, beverages, or pharmaceuticals are the regulations, standards, and inspections required to produce and maintain a piece of equipment.
Selecting the right components for spray, rinse, steam, caustic, and food processing equipment is important for use with linear motion designs for washdown applications.
This washdown white paper examines the sound engineering practices and design principles needed to ensure the performance of mechanical linear motion components in sanitary, washdown, or chemically cleaned environments.
Categories discussed in white paper include:
- Regulatory Agencies and Standards for Washdown Design which give examples of state and federal levels of inspection. These are standards and guidelines that a manufacturer needs to “comply” with for the finished equipment to meet acceptable performance and cleanliness standards.
- Regulatory Agencies and Standards Organizations that maintain the quality standards of the environment. Some examples of agencies include United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Both agencies have standards set forth to determine if components and materials are “compliant”.
- Best Materials for Washdown Design which showcase the preferred materials for use in washdown environments. Examples of these materials are 300 series stainless steel, 400 series stainless steel, aluminum and coatings, electroless nickel coatings, and plastics, polymers, and fillers.
- Best Design Practices for Linear Motion in a Washdown, giving tips on how to minimize potential bacteria buildup and maximize cleanability. Due to the mounting and sealing locations where rotating components are often placed, the need for those spaces to be sealed or cleaned is greater than most.
- PBC Linear Products for Washdown Design showcases the wide range of linear motion solutions for washdown and food processing applications. Selecting the correct product for the desired application is key based on industry standards and chemical makeup of the washdown utilized. Redi-Rail® and Simplicity® bearings are two strong examples of products that are highly resistant to corrosion in washdown applications.
The automatic cleaning operation on industrial equipment is often called CIP (clean-in-place) or SIP (steam-in-place). The goal of these washdown operations is to kill and eliminate bacteria or other micro-organisms that can cause and spread disease.
PBC Linear has experience in a variety of outdoor, washdown, and food processing applications. We offer a broad range of products that can provide engineers or maintenance technicians with multiple options to solve the problems associated with liquid and chemical interactions.
Download our white paper Linear Motion Design for Washdown Applications, or view our YouTube video to see how PBC Linear designs reliable motion control solutions for washdown applications. Also download the PBC Linear Motion Product Overview Guide or request a free sample.
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