WASHDOWN ACTUATION: HOW TO IMPROVE RELIABILITY AND MACHINE PERFORMANCE

In industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences, production machines must do more than perform precisely; they must endure frequent cleaning cycles, harsh chemicals, and high-pressure spray-downs without compromising performance. These same environmental challenges are also common in other harsh or hazardous environments where corrosion-resistant, sealed actuation is essential for reliability and safety.

Traditional hydraulic and electro-mechanical actuators (EMA) often struggle in washdown and hazardous environments. In conventional hydraulic systems, long hose runs, exposed reservoirs, and open-loop designs create multiple contamination points and require ongoing maintenance. Electro-mechanical actuators, on the other hand, rely on metal-to-metal components that wear quickly and are further degraded when exposed to moisture and cleaning agents. The EMA also often extrudes grease or oil through the mechanical shaft, providing possible product contamination.

That’s why Kyntronics hybrid linear actuators and servo power units combine the best attributes of electric and hydraulic technologies which are suited for washdown applications that demand clean operation, sealed performance, and high reliability.

Servo Power Units (SPU) for Washdown Applications: The SPU Solution

Using a short connection, the SPU operates a cylinder located in the washdown zone that is IP-rated appropriately for the application while maintaining precise servo control of both position and force.

Unlike traditional hydraulics with large reservoirs and long, leak prone hose runs, the SPU operates as a compact, power-on-demand system. The SPU can be installed outside the washdown zone or housed within a sealed, IP67-rated (or higher) enclosure.

Hybrid Linear Actuators for Washdown Environments: The SHA Solution

With no external power unit, hoses, or fittings, the SHA is ideal for equipment that experiences direct washdown exposure. Its IP67-rated design and corrosion-resistant construction protect all internal components, ensuring long-term reliability in environments where durability is critical.

Paired with closed-loop control, the SHA delivers precise position and force regulation across every cycle — combining electric driven accuracy with robust hydraulic-level performance in a clean, compact footprint.

Key attributes include:

• Sealed construction rated up to IP67 or higher, preventing water and debris intrusion.
• Corrosion-resistant materials and coatings to withstand harsh cleaning agents.
• No metal-to-metal wear surfaces, reducing maintenance and eliminating contamination risk.
• Servo-controlled motion that delivers consistent, repeatable force and position after every wash cycle.
• Compact footprint that simplifies integration into hygienic equipment layouts.
• In the case of the SPU, it is easily located remotely or in a washdown enclosure, connected to a cylinder that is IP-rated appropriately for the application.

Proven Solutions for Hygienic Performance

Washdown environments demand actuation systems that can perform with precision, reliability, and cleanliness without driving up maintenance or replacement costs. Kyntronics hybrid solutions — the SPU and SHA — are engineered to thrive where traditional technologies fail. They provide servo-controlled precision and long-life performance in a sealed, IP-rated design, eliminating the frequent failures and costly replacements common with electro-mechanical actuators and the leaks, maintenance headaches, and product spoilage risk associated with hydraulic power units.

Whether you’re designing new equipment or upgrading existing systems, Kyntronics provides a total actuation solution built for washdown-ready reliability.

Contact our engineering team to learn how hybrid actuation can enhance your next washdown project.

Explore a Kyntronics SPU configuration designed for high-performance washdown duty

See how Kyntronics’ SHA delivered precise, IP-rated lifting performance in a food production system