Servo drives for washdown and hygienic environments
May 2026
Motion Control & Drives
Kollmorgen, a global leader in motion control and automation solutions, has expanded the application range of its Kollmorgen Essentials servo drive/KED to include hygienic and washdown environments. Kollmorgen Essentials Drive was designed with simplicity and flexibility in mind for fast commissioning and reliable performance at a value driven price. By pairing KED with AKMA aluminium washdown motors and AKMH stainless steel hygienic servo motors, machine builders can now achieve high-performance motion in demanding washdown applications, without the cost typically associated with washdown and hygienic servo systems.
Kollmorgen Essentials servo drives support multiple industrial Ethernet protocols out of the box, including EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP and PROFINET, providing broad connectivity while reducing system and inventory complexity.
Cost-effective absolute feedback for washdown applications
To further extend this value, AKMA and AKMH motors are now available with Smart Feedback Device, Multi-Turn (SFD-M),enabling Kollmorgen Essentials servo drives to support absolute multi-turn positioning in hygienic and washdown.
SFD-M delivers high-resolution absolute feedback without the cost and maintenance associated with battery-backed encoders. Its energy harvesting technology stores position information through power cycles, while embedded motor data enables automatic drive configuration and faster commissioning with all Kollmorgen servo drives, including KED, AKD and AKD2G.
“High resolution, absolute multiturn feedback has traditionally required stepping up to a higher-cost servo system,” said Chris Cooper, global director of Product Management. “By integrating SFD-M into our AKMA and AKMH motors for use with the Kollmorgen Essentials servo drive, we’re delivering that same precision and control in a cost-effective solution designed for food and beverage, pharmaceutical packaging, and other washdown applications.”
Designed for washdown and hygienic environments
AKMA motors feature anodised aluminium housings with IP69K protection for medium to heavy-washdown applications. AKMH motors provide stainless steel construction with IP69K sealing for daily washdown environments involving high pressure, elevated temperatures, and caustic cleaning agents.
With SFD-M available across these extended motor families, Kollmorgen delivers a unified 24-bit absolute feedback solution that provides consistent precision across a wide range of environments. Combined with Kollmorgen Essentials servo drives, machine builders gain high-performance, affordable motion solutions they can rely on for washdown and hygienic applications.
For more information contact Kollmorgen, +44 1905 917 477, rabea.roos@regalrexnord.com, www.kollmorgen.com/en-us
Further reading:
Mammoet completes major bridge replacement at Amsterdam Centraal Station
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet completes the second of five major bridge replacements at Amsterdam Centraal Station, transporting steel deck sections by water to keep the station open throughout the works.
Read more...
ndustry expertise drives SEW-EURODRIVE’s Electra Mining Africa presence
Motion Control & Drives
SEW-EURODRIVE will showcase industry-specific drive technology, modernisation services and expanded aftermarket support at Electra Mining Africa 2026, with a focus on lifecycle support and operational optimisation.
Read more...
Next-generation motor management solution
Schneider Electric South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric has launched its TeSys Tera motor management solution in the West African market, combining advanced motor protection, digital connectivity and real-time diagnostics for manufacturing, mining and water applications.
Read more...
Premium slewing rings from SKF
SKF South Africa
Motion Control & Drives
SKF’s slewing bearing portfolio spans standard and customised designs across a wide range of types and sizes, backed by advanced monitoring, remanufacturing services and application engineering expertise for demanding industrial applications.
Read more...
World’s first fully electric hydrogen fuel cell aircraft engine
Motion Control & Drives
Airbus and MTU Aero Engines are establishing a joint venture to industrialise hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for commercial aviation, combining liquid hydrogen expertise with fuel cell development to support the ZEROe programme’s 2035 target.
Read more...
Monopile handling innovations boost offshore wind farm
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet’s XXL monopile transport system and new MTC 1600 terminal crane are helping offshore wind developers safely marshal and install ever larger monopile foundations, as demonstrated on Van Oord’s Baltic Power project.
Read more...
Automation without the mega factory
Yaskawa Southern Africa
Motion Control & Drives
Mid-sized South African manufacturers are turning to targeted, low-risk automation to solve specific bottlenecks rather than chasing full factory transformation, helped by retrofit-friendly robotics and advanced simulation software.
Read more...
Duplex worm gears for precision backlash adjustment
Motion Control & Drives
KHK USA has introduced duplex worm gears that allow precise backlash adjustment through simple axial movement of the worm shaft, eliminating the need for gearbox housing alterations during assembly or maintenance.
Read more...
Choosing the right level of protection in modern automation
Motion Control & Drives
Choosing the right ingress protection rating for a motor or drive is less about maximising the number, and more about understanding what the machine will actually face in operation.
Read more...
Osterwalder launches multi-plate, fully electric powder press
Motion Control & Drives
Osterwalder Technology has launched the MPneo 480, a 480 kN fully electric multi-plate powder press with up to six cross-pressing modules. Designed for hard metals, ceramics and advanced engineered materials, the press supports complex geometries and offers optional
Read more...
printer friendly version