Introducing the cLEAN Integral Unit: A compact washdown drive solution for OEMs

Machine builders are constantly being asked to do more with less.  Equipment footprints continue to shrink, and customer expectations keep growing.  End users want reliable machines that are easy to clean, efficient to operate and built to last.  At the same time, OEMs are under pressure to control costs and fit more functionality into increasingly more compact equipment.

The new cLEAN System-based integral unit was developed with those challenges in mind.  It delivers the same washdown protection, energy efficiency and performance as the cLEAN platform in an even more compact package that can help OEMs reduce both footprint and cost.

Solving a common machine design challenge

Space is one of the first constraints engineers encounter when designing food and beverage equipment.  As components compete for room inside the machine envelope, drive systems can quickly become a limiting factor.  Every inch dedicated to the drivetrain is an inch that can’t be used elsewhere.

The cLEAN Integral Unit helps address this issue by integrating the motor and gearbox into a single assembly. The result is a smaller overall package that gives machine designers more flexibility when laying out conveyors, product handling systems, and other machine components.  That flexibility can be especially valuable when working around sanitation requirements.

Reducing cost through integration

A smaller footprint isn’t the only advantage of the new cLEAN Integral Unit.  Because the cLEAN Integral Unit eliminates the need for a motor adapter, it can reduce overall system cost compared to traditional configurations.

For a single machine, that may be a nice benefit.  Across an entire machine platform or product line, those savings can become much more significant.

Same performance. Same application range.

Moving to a more compact design doesn’t mean giving up performance.  The goal isn’t simply to make the unit smaller.  It’s to deliver the same performance in a way that helps OEMs build more competitive machines.

The cLEAN Integral Unit is available across the same horsepower and ratio ranges as the standard cLEAN offering.  Engineers can select an integral configuration without redesigning the application around a different performance envelope.  OEMs can take advantage of the smaller package while maintaining the same application requirements, production targets, and performance expectations.

Built on proven cLEAN technology

While the packaging is different, the technology behind it remains familiar.  The cLEAN Integral Unit incorporates the same platform features that have made the cLEAN System a trusted solution for washdown applications. These features include a zero-weep-hole design, advanced sealing technology, and ingress protection engineered for demanding sanitation environments.

Key benefits include:

• Zero weep holes to help prevent water ingress
• Double-sealed protection at critical ingress points.
• IP68 and IP69K protection for harsh washdown environments
• IE5 permanent magnet motor technology for energy efficiency
• Cooler operation compared to traditional stainless-steel induction motors

Customers receive the same core benefits that define the cLEAN System in a package designed to take up less space.

Designed for OEMs

The cLEAN Integral Unit was developed primarily for machine builders.  Many end users continue to prefer separate motors and gearboxes because it provides additional flexibility during maintenance and replacement.  Those customers still have access to the traditional cLEAN motor and gearbox configuration to suit their preferences.

The cLEAN Integral Unit isn’t intended to replace that option.  Instead, it provides OEMs with another design tool.  When footprint, package size, or equipment cost become critical design considerations, an integral solution may provide a better fit.  It’s another way for engineers to optimize machine design without giving up the performance and reliability they expect from STOBER.

A new option for compact machine design

OEMs shouldn’t have to choose between performance, footprint and cost.  The cLEAN Integral Unit brings together the washdown protection, energy efficiency, and reliability of the cLEAN platform in a smaller, more economical package.  The integral unit gives machine builders another option for designing compact equipment while maintaining the performance requirements their customers depend on.

Whether you’re developing a new machine platform or looking for ways to optimize an existing design, the cLEAN Integral Unit can help create more space, reduce costs and simplify machine architecture.

Ready to see if the cLEAN Integral Unit is a fit for your application? Contact STOBER to discuss your design requirements, review available ratios and horsepower options, and learn how an integrated cLEAN solution can support your next machine build.