Food Processing Industry – Hygienic Motion Control for Reliable Production
Food and beverage plants face demanding requirements: rigorous sanitation, consistent throughput, precise motion control and low energy consumption. Crossman Automation understands these challenges because we’ve supported food processors across Western Canada for decades. Our team works with leading manufacturers—including Nexen—to provide integrated power transmission and motion control solutions that keep your production lines clean, safe and efficient. Whether you’re running a bakery, dairy, beverage plant or meat processor, we can help you select and integrate the right motors, drives and clutch‑brake assemblies to maximize uptime and maintain compliance with hygiene standards.
Industry Challenges & Requirements
Equipment in the food industry must withstand frequent, high‑pressure washdowns with hot water and caustic chemicals. Motors and drive components need sealed enclosures, corrosion‑resistant materials and high ingress‑protection (IP) ratings (IP65, IP66, IP67 or even IP69K) to survive harsh cleaning and prevent contamination. Washdown‑duty motors feature stainless steel or epoxy‑coated housings, sealed seams and gaskets, and encapsulated windings to keep water and cleaning agents out. These motors are available in painted, unpainted and stainless versions, in single‑ or three‑phase configurations with foot‑mounted or C‑face options. Selecting the right motor ensures your conveyor drives, mixers and pumps withstand sanitation while delivering long‑life performance.
Precise speed control is also critical. Variable‑frequency drives (VFDs) regulate motor speed and torque, offering flexibility and significant energy savings. VFDs enable smooth start‑ups and stops for conveyors and mixers, precise pump control for dosing and filling, and synchronization of multiple motors across a line. Reducing motor speed by even 20 % can cut energy use by nearly 50 %—a powerful advantage for energy‑intensive food production.
Nexen Solutions for Food Processing
Crossman Automation partners with Nexen to deliver hygienic, high‑performance motion control components specifically engineered for food and beverage applications. Nexen is an internationally recognized leader in motion control products, offering brakes, clutches, clutch‑brakes and torque limiters along with custom engineering services. Their simple designs with limited parts make installation and maintenance easy, and their nickel‑plated models are perfect for wash‑down areas. Nexen’s product range includes solutions for mixers, ovens, sheeters, bottling lines, meat processing, packaging and labeling. Compared with conventional electric units, Nexen’s spring‑ or air‑engaged products last longer, respond faster, provide more torque and thermal horsepower, and consume less energy.
Hygienic Clutch‑Brakes
Nexen’s Flange Mounted Clutch Brake Enclosed (FMCBE) is BISSC‑approved and specifically designed to prevent contamination. A smooth, nickel‑plated finish resists corrosion and allows easy cleaning, while stainless steel hex‑head bolts have no exposed threads or sockets to eliminate bacteria traps. All mating surfaces are sealed with O‑rings to prevent fluid ingress, and there are no indentations where dirt or food particles can accumulate. These air‑engaged clutch‑brakes last two to six times longer than electrically actuated units and use one‑third less power. With 30 % less reaction time, 40 % more torque and 30 % more thermal horsepower, they deliver precise, repeatable stop/start motion for tasks like dough extruding, meat casing, bottle capping and wrapping. Typical applications include baking machinery, beverage filling, meat and dairy processing, and any operation where moisture, dirt or corrosion is a problem.
Nickel‑Plated Torque Limiters & Tooth Clutches
Nexen’s NEMA flange‑mounted torque limiters are totally enclosed with sealed seams and stainless steel fasteners, making them ideal for washdown areas. Nickel plating eliminates corrosion even in harsh food environments. The torque limiter protects expensive equipment by disengaging the drive shaft during overload conditions; its single‑piston, ball‑detent design ensures re‑engagement at the exact same position. Nexen’s tooth clutches deliver positive torque transmission in a compact package and are available in both open and enclosed models. Nickel‑plated versions support washdown applications, while flexible couplings accommodate shaft misalignment. Choose flange or pilot mounting for single‑ or multi‑position indexing.
B‑275 Clutches & Overload Protection Systems
For repetitive stop‑start torque control in harsh environments, Nexen’s B‑275 clutches offer sealed radial bearings, nickel plating and high heat capacity. With torque ranges up to 11 Nm at 5.5 bar, these clutches are ideal for bottling, capping and forming lines. Nexen also offers overload protection systems that detect clutch slip and disconnect downstream equipment during overloads. These systems can be manually overridden and allow the motor to run during overload conditions, minimizing downtime and protecting the equipment.
Air‑Engaged vs. Electric Clutches & Brakes
Nexen lists seven reasons why air‑engaged clutches and brakes outperform electric units: 30 % faster response time, 40 % more dynamic torque, 30 % more thermal horsepower, up to six times longer friction life, up to 60 % less energy consumption, up to 10 % savings on unit cost and up to 80 % reduction in repair costs. These performance advantages translate directly into higher throughput, lower operating costs and improved reliability for food processing lines.
Crossman’s Comprehensive Food Processing Solutions
Crossman Automation integrates Nexen’s motion control products with washdown‑duty motors, VFDs and other drive components to deliver complete solutions for your plant. Our engineers specify washdown‑duty motors with stainless housings and high IP ratings, along with Danfoss or Vacon VFDs to precisely control conveyors, mixers, augers and pumps. We add Nexen clutches, brakes and torque limiters to provide accurate indexing, tension control and overload protection. For example, a dough sheeter might use a VFD‑driven roller motor, a Nexen tooth clutch to engage/disengage the cutter, and an overload protection system to prevent damage from jams. We also supply stainless‑steel gearboxes, tension brakes and rod locks for packaging and labeling equipment.
As a systems integrator, Crossman manages the entire project—from requirements analysis and component selection to panel design, assembly and installation. We ensure compliance with sanitary design standards such as BISSC and help you navigate IP ratings and material certifications. Our teams coordinate with mechanical engineers and equipment OEMs to guarantee that all components fit seamlessly. Once your system is running, we provide technical support, spare parts and preventive maintenance to keep it operating at peak efficiency.
Why Choose Crossman Automation?
Deep Industry Knowledge: We’ve supported food processors across Western Canada for decades, gaining insight into sanitation, regulatory and productivity requirements.
Nexen Expertise: As an authorized Nexen distributor and integrator, we understand the capabilities of their clutches, brakes and torque limiters and how to apply them effectively in washdown environments.
Comprehensive Solutions: We integrate washdown motors, VFDs, clutches, brakes, torque limiters and power‑transmission components into complete systems tailored to your process.
Energy & Cost Savings: Nexen’s air‑engaged products deliver faster response, higher torque and lower energy consumption. Combined with VFD control, our solutions can significantly reduce power usage and downtime.
Local Support: With inventory and manufacturing in Edmonton, we provide quick turnarounds, custom modifications and responsive service.
If you’re planning new equipment or upgrading existing lines, Crossman Automation can help. Contact us today to discuss your food processing application and discover how our partnership with Nexen can improve hygiene, precision and efficiency in your plant.