Strict hygiene standards apply to production systems in the food and pharmaceutical industries – after all, machine parts and components can come into contact with the products. No one wants to take lubricating oil with their aspirins or spread bacteria on their toast along with strawberry jam.
Functional (as well as intuitive to handle) are the features of a typical cylinder. Products used in the food and pharmaceutical industries also have to meet additional requirements. Specific customer requirements from various industry sectors must be taken into account during product development
“Clean Design means that we have to comply with very strict specifications when designing the product,” said Karoline von Häfen, head of product design at Festo. “System components have to be very easy to access and fully washable, or entirely closed off and sealed. There can’t be any dead space where dirt could accumulate. Other stipulations include smooth surfaces and a minimum radius for corners.”
Above and beyond a corrosion-resistant coating and the use of food-safe lubricants, product design also plays a significant role. The electrical connecting cable NEBV, which connects pneumatic valve terminals to control components, is a perfect example of how product design enhances the flexibility of the company’s components. In addition to the basic product—a black cable for standard applications—the product designers also created a grey variant for use in sensitive production areas.
“With the grey cable, we’ve avoided ribbing or other edges in which dirt could accumulate. Yet the plug can still be easily gripped and disconnected,” says Jörg Peschel, product designer at Festo. With the grey color, it is very easy to recognize if there is dirt or particles that can lead to bacteria growth.
Submitted by: Frank Langro, Director – Marketing and Product Management, Festo.
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