Tough and hygienic

The food industry occupies a special position in the conveying and positioning of workpieces. The prevailing hygiene and production conditions place high demands on the actuators used – from water jets and high temperatures to materials and design and lubrication. SMC has therefore developed the HF2A-LEY series to provide a comprehensive solution.

Made of FDA-compliant materials, the electric actuator with guide rod has an IP69K protection rating. Its smooth design prevents the accumulation of liquids and uses food-grade NSF-H1 grease. Furthermore, the SUS304 stainless steel ensures high durability and corrosion protection, while the comprehensive performance indicators for payload, stroke, and control ideally round out the actuator.

Whether slicing, chopping, or filling: Food processing requires that the equipment used undergo regular, thorough cleaning. This includes the use of high-pressure, high-temperature water jets and aggressive cleaning agents. Components must meet these and many other requirements to ensure safe and reliable use in food processing. Automation specialist SMC has developed the HF2A-LEY series electric actuator precisely for this purpose. It is made of stainless steel, features FDA-compliant seals and wipers, a smooth design, a laser-engraved product name, and uses food-grade grease – ideal for the requirements of the food industry. The actuator also impresses with a wide range of strokes, high speed, force, and payload, as well as comprehensive communication and control for precise height and positioning adjustments.

Robust, smooth, and a clean look

The SUS304 stainless steel exterior protects the HF2A-LEY series from corrosion, both from constant splashing water and aggressive cleaning agents. In addition to the seals, the wipers are also FDA-compliant, and a food-grade NSF-H1 grease is used. The smooth and rounded profile completes its optimal suitability for the food industry. This prevents any liquid residue from remaining, inhibiting bacterial growth. Second, the product name is laser-engraved – this prevents the label from peeling off and ensures consistent legibility even after use with high-pressure cleaners and chemical cleaning agents. Overall, the combination of design, materials, and the lubricating grease used offers an ideal drive solution for the high hygiene requirements of the food industry and meets both CE and UKCA standards.

Powerful, communicative, and precise

With the HF2A-LEY series, users have access to strokes of 50 to 400 mm (size 25), 50 to 500 mm (size 32), and 50 to 800 mm (size 63). The electric actuator with guide rod achieves a maximum speed of 1200 mm/s and is designed for a payload of up to 80 kg. While mounting is possible via foot mount or flange at the front, the piston rod threads can be male or female. The connections for exhaust, brake, motor, and encoder cables are located on the rear panel. The optional motor brake prevents workpieces from falling off, thus optimizing process reliability.

Four different absolute encoders and one incremental encoder from SMC are available to control the AC servo motor. The former are available as pulse input/positioning versions (LECSB-T), as network card versions (LECSN-T), as CC-Link direct input versions (LECSC-T), and as SSCNETIII/Version H (LECSS-T). The incremental encoder (LECSA) is available as a pulse input/positioning version. With a positioning repeatability of ± 0.01 mm and precisely adjustable motor power, users can ensure precise height or position adjustments. This is particularly advantageous for food applications such as beverage bottling or the height adjustment of knives in meat processing.