In sectors like food, beverage, and packaging, available space for equipment is often limited. To address this, a Swedish equipment manufacturer has implemented space-efficient chain conveyor systems powered by drive technology from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS. These systems use fewer drive variants while maintaining high performance, thanks to NORD’s compact solutions with integrated multi-protocol Ethernet interfaces.
With decades of expertise across over 100 industries, NORD offers engineered drive systems tailored to specific operational needs. Fredriksons, a manufacturer focused on material handling solutions for the food and beverage sector, benefits from drive units that not only save space but also provide broad speed control, simplified variant management, and reliable operation even in freezing environments as low as -30 °C. These advantages support both decentralized and centralized control architectures.
Fredriksons integrates NORD’s IE3 asynchronous motors with NORDBLOC.1® helical bevel gear units, combined with the decentralized NORDAC ON frequency inverter. These systems deliver cost-effective and reliable control, ideal for demanding production environments. Offering power outputs from 0.37 kW to 3.7 kW, the plug-in inverters feature onboard PLC functionality, support major Ethernet protocols (PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT), and enable easy setup. Upcoming updates will add safety features like SLS (Safe Limited Speed), SMS (Safe Maximum Speed), and SSM (Safe Speed Monitor) alongside existing STO and SS1 capabilities.
For centralized setups, Fredriksons employs the NORDAC PRO SK 500P cabinet-mounted inverter. Its compact design supports a wide range of drive applications, from 0.25 kW up to 22 kW, with future models extending up to 160 kW. High overload tolerance and flexible configuration make this inverter a versatile option for varied industrial needs.
By standardizing on NORD drive technology, Fredriksons has significantly minimized the number of drive variants in its machinery. This simplification not only lowers system complexity and material use but also contributes to reducing the total cost of ownership and environmental impact. The efficient coordination of components within NORD’s modular system supports a lower CO₂ footprint across operations.
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS, established in 1965, employs approximately 4,700 people worldwide and is recognized as a leading provider of complete drive systems. The company reported annual sales of €870 million in 2021 and maintains a strong global footprint, with 48 subsidiaries in 36 countries and partners in over 50 more. Its product portfolio spans gear units with torque capacities from 10 Nm to over 282 kNm, motors ranging from 0.12 kW to 1,000 kW, and frequency inverters up to 160 kW—serving both general and specialized applications, including energy-efficient and explosion-protected systems.
