Nord Drivesystems offers modular drive solutions for chain conveyors along packaging lines, which help transport products through different stages of production and processing.
Nord’s components can be installed, replaced, or reconfigured without reworking an entire line, simplifying maintenance and easing operators’ workflows.
Compact solutions for tight packaging lines
Nord says its Unicase gear units are slim and feature versatile shaft arrangements that can be configured to meet unique application needs. The company says its most popular solution for chain and drag conveyor applications is a right-angle gear unit with a hollow shaft design.
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Additionally, free input shafts, direct-mounted motors, and protective options for dust and moisture are also available.
Chain conveyor drives for food packaging
For food packaging applications, Nord offers Nordbloc.1 helical bevel gear units with IE3 asynchronous motors and motor-mounted Nordac ON variable frequency drives (VFDs).
These decentralized VFDs cover a power range from 0.50 to 5 horsepower (hp) and include an internal programmable logic controller (PLC) for drive-related functions. They also support multiple Ethernet protocols, including PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and EtherCAT.
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Standalone conveyor drive solutions
To protect operators and equipment from unintended movements, Nord offers functional safety features including Safe Torque Off (STO) and Safe Stop 1 (SS1). The drives can operate at temperatures as low as -22°F, with special lubricants available for extreme low- or high-temperature conditions.
Drag chain conveyors for bulk materials
For standalone solutions, Nord offers the Nordac Pro SK 500P VFD, which features a book-size control cabinet design. Case sizes cover a power range from 0.33 to 50 hp with high overload capabilities. Functional safety options, including STO and SS1, are available, and additional modules can extend functionality.
Nord’s drive solutions can be used for drag chain conveyors that move grain and other bulk materials. They support applications with multiple loading or discharge points, such as storage bin transfer.
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Gear unit options for these applications include Unicase helical bevel, Unicase helical inline, Unicase parallel shaft, and MaxxDrive industrial gear units. Hollow and solid shaft options, including GripMaxx, are available.
Additional options include special seals for harsh environments, backstops to prevent material flow in the wrong direction, and select CSA-approved hazardous location motors.
Online tools and app support
Nord recently updated its online customer portal, MyNord, with a product configurator tool to help OEMs order gear units, geared motors, VFDs, and other components.
The added features let users filter by output speed, torque, power, motor efficiency, housing design, and more, while providing real-time suggestions based on user specifications and regional requirements.
“We added a lot of product defaults and product logic in [MyNord],” said Austin Ihrke, ecommerce specialist at Nord Drivesystems, in an interview with Packaging OEM regarding the MyNord updates. “As the user is making selections, it’s defining the configuration for them.”
Additionally, the NordCon app communicates via Bluetooth to provide quick access to electronic drive systems and works with all the company’s frequency drives, motor starters, and bus modules.
“We continue to adapt and evolve the tools based on our customers’ needs,” said Ihrke.
