NORD DRIVESYSTEMS is strengthening drive technology for hygiene-sensitive applications with NXD tupH®, a specialised surface treatment that gives aluminium housings high resistance to corrosion and cleaning chemicals. Designed for the food and beverage and primary packaging sectors, the technology combines the advantages of lightweight aluminium with surface properties comparable to stainless steel in demanding wash-down environments.
NXD tupH® has been developed specifically for aluminium drive components used in applications where regular and intensive cleaning is required. The treatment combines a specially engineered surface protection process with a high-performance sealer, creating a non-porous finish that supports hygienic cleaning. The surface is designed to remain stable through repeated cleaning cycles without flaking or corrosion.
The durability of the treatment has been demonstrated through long-term chemical resistance testing, including exposure to cleaning agents supplied by Ecolab. NORD drive components featuring NXD tupH® surfaces also meet food-safety requirements applicable in the United States, European Union, Switzerland and MERCOSUR markets. This makes the technology suitable for applications where drive equipment may be exposed to food-processing environments or come into contact with food-related production areas.
The aluminium construction provides additional benefits for machine builders and operators. Compared with stainless steel drives, aluminium solutions offer lower weight and support compact machine designs. Aluminium also provides effective heat dissipation, allowing drive systems to achieve higher power density while helping to maintain lower surface temperatures.
By adding chemical resistance to these characteristics, NXD tupH® provides manufacturers with an alternative to conventional stainless steel drive solutions. The protection is applied to existing NORD aluminium components and does not require a special mechanical design. This allows customers to retain the flexibility of NORD’s modular drive portfolio while avoiding additional warehousing or installation requirements.
NXD tupH® is available across a range of NORD aluminium products with smooth surfaces. These include the integrated DuoDrive gear unit and motor system, IE5+ smooth motors, NORDBLOC.1® helical in-line gear units and NORDBLOC.1® helical bevel gear units. NORD is also preparing the NORDAC ON PURE decentralised frequency inverter with the same surface treatment.
Through NXD tupH®, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS can supply complete drive solutions with food-safe surface protection from a single source, helping manufacturers improve equipment durability, hygiene and operational reliability in demanding production environments.
NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has been developing, manufacturing and supplying drive technology since 1965. With approximately 4,700 employees, 48 subsidiaries in 36 countries and sales partners in more than 50 countries, the company provides drive solutions for more than 100 industries. Its portfolio includes gear units, electric motors and frequency inverters, along with application-specific systems for energy efficiency, automation and demanding industrial environments.
