Kollmorgen Releases Servo Drives for Washdown and Hygienic Applications

Kollmorgen has expanded its Kollmorgen Essentials Servo Drive (KED) platform to support washdown and hygienic environments. These new drives are specifically designed for applications in food processing, packaging, and other areas where equipment is regularly exposed to harsh cleaning conditions.

The update integrates KED drives with AKMA aluminum washdown motors and AKMH stainless steel hygienic motors, along with SFD-M absolute feedback. This new combination provides multi-turn positioning, industrial Ethernet support, and integrated safety, all while keeping system costs and complexity in check.

Kollmorgen has expanded its KED platform to include hygienic and washdown models. Image used courtesy of Kollmorgen

Kollmorgen Essentials Servo Drives (KED)

The KED platform supports EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, and PROFINET out of the box, which simplifies integration across different control systems. Instead of stocking multiple drive variants, the same unit can be configured via software to match the network in use.

Setup is handled through Kollmorgen’s WorkBench software, featuring an Express Setup option to reduce commissioning time. The drives also include built-in features such as multi-axis synchronization and high-speed registration, which are typically required in applications such as labeling, web handling, or packaging systems.

Panel layout showing industrial Ethernet ports, I/O, feedback interface, and power connections used for system integration. Image (modified) used courtesy of Kollmorgen

Absolute Feedback Without the Overhead

Kollmorgen has also added support for SFD-M (smart feedback device, multi-turn). This single-cable solution support provides 24-bit absolute positioning without relying on battery-backed encoders. Instead, the system leverages energy-harvesting technology to retain position data through power cycles. This system can also reduce typical maintenance requirements while still providing high-resolution feedback. It also enables automatic drive configuration using stored motor data, reducing setup time and helping avoid manual parameter entry during commissioning.

A Washdown and Hygienic Design

When paired with AKMA and AKMH motors, the system is set up for use in hygienic and washdown environments. The AKMA uses an anodized aluminum housing, while the AKMH is stainless steel, and both are rated to IP69K for high-pressure cleaning. This compatibility allows the same drive platform to be used in environments where equipment is regularly exposed to water, cleaning chemicals, and temperature swings, without having to move to a different servo system just for those conditions.

The new drives are ideal for high-speed bottling applications in the food and beverage industry. Image used courtesy of Adobe Stock

Motion Control for Demanding Applications

Kollmorgen’s Essentials Servo Drive platform extends into washdown and hygienic applications by combining multi-protocol connectivity, integrated safety, and absolute feedback with compatible motor options. The new KED drives will support SFD-M and share a consistent platform across different drive sizes. Across all new KED models, the platform remains consistent in terms of communication, safety features, and software environment, making it easier to scale across different machine sizes.