The United States is one of the largest egg-producing countries in the world, producing more than 100 billion eggs annually. The industry includes a mix of large-scale commercial egg farms and smaller family-owned farms, that collectively produce and sell a wide range of eggs that include white, brown, organic, free-range, cage-free and specialty eggs with attributes such as omega-3 enrichment. Each variant requires custom packaging to highlight the product’s unique qualities.
Automated systems using actuators and motors are often used in egg processing facilities to transport, sort, and grade eggs based on size, weight and quality. Eggs are then transported to packaging stations where they are loaded into cartons and closed securely. Each station requires precise and repeatable motions.
Application Description:
Egg processing machines feature multiple applications, each with their own motors or actuators, to wash, inspect, grade and pack eggs on a mass-scale. Efficiency is maximized by producing repeatable motions and avoiding damage to individual eggs.
Key Challenges:
• Synchronizing of multiple motors to provide high response and exact speed.
• Stable and accurate rotation, at precise angles, for turnover processing.
• Sufficient holding power is required for drag and drop processes.
• Smooth, vibration-free operation.
• Reliability with a service life of more than 20,000 hours is required.
Preferred Motion Solutions:
BLDC Motors:
HKP Brushless DC Motors offer an extensive range of sizes and configurations with power ratings up
to 2,000W. Brushless motors require a controller for speed and position control.
Features:
• Speeds up to 15,000 RPM possible
• Slotted motors with skewed rotor magnetization minimizes cogging torque
• Slotless motors with improved power density and no cogging torque
• Ball bearings for long service life
• Standard mounting frames
• Fully customizable to any requirement.
Brushed DC Motors:
HKP’s brush commutated DC motors are offered in various diameters, lengths and winding
configurations. Brush motors require simple control and provide a long life in low- to medium- duty
applications.
Features:
• Speeds up to 10,000 RPM possible
• Skewed armatures virtually eliminate cogging torque
• Sleeve or ball bearings available
• Copper graphite or silver graphite brushes available
• RFI suppression available
• Fully customizable to any requirement.
Accessories can be paired to all motors:
• Spur and Planetary gears
• Optical Encoders from 50 to over 8000 counts of resolution
• Fail safe brakes.
Gearbox with Overload Capacity:
HKP offers both Spur and Planetary Gears to transfer motion and to increase the output torque of
the motor. When added to HKP motors, gearboxes offer greater flexibility to the designer for low
duty and low speed applications. Spur gearboxes are preferred
for low duty applications, featuring an offset output shaft with either sleeve or ball bearings.
Planetary gearboxes provide a centered output shaft for servo and continuous duty power
transmission applications. Optional lubricants are available for extreme temperatures.
Encoders:
HKP’s encoders are mounted to HKP motors to provide closed-loop feedback signals by tracking the
motor shaft’s speed and position. A range of encoders are available to support any customer
requirement.
Steady and Continuous Demand
The global egg processing market is valued at approximately
$23 billion, and it is projected to reach $27 billion by 2029, representing a CAGR of approximately
2.0%. As processing equipment ages, or as industrial processors grow, so too does the demand for
highly efficient and reliable equipment. HKP’s wide range of motors, gearboxes and encoders can be
customized to any equipment designer’s requirements.
To learn more contact us today.