Automation solutions provider Rollon’s high-specification linear motion systems are engineered for high-performance automation in many industries, including food processing, where hygiene, durability and operational continuity are essential.

Industrial equipment supplier BMG supplies and supports the Rollon portfolio, including linear guides, telescopic rails and actuators among others, all of which are engineered to function reliably in industrial operations.

“Meat, poultry and fish processing lines place unique stresses on automation components, which is why selection of the correct equipment is so critical,” says BMG linearway and ball screw product specialist Leon Koekemoer.

Rollon motion guidance systems, developed in line with stringent industry regulations for global hygiene standards, offer advantages over conventional guides and actuators. This includes “advanced” sealing technology, corrosion resistance and durable materials, which ensures extended service life, while reducing the risk of product contamination and mechanical failure.

To further ensure food-safety compliance, Koekemoer recommends the use of lubricants compatible with standards developed by US federal agency, the Food and Drug Administration.

BMG also offers Rollon’s MiniRoller Rail and ELM actuator systems, which are able to endure continuous duty and aggressive sanitation, without compromising on motion precision or operational reliability.

The Rollon MiniRoller Rail delivers a compact, roller-bearing linear guide system with induction-hardened raceways– between 58 and 62 on the Rockwell Hardness C scale– and preload-adjustable stainless-steel rollers. This configuration ensures smooth, quiet travel and minimal backlash under moderate loads, says BMG.

Its misalignment tolerance supports the installation of “less-than-perfect” mounting surfaces. The slider body and rollers, manufactured from stainless steel, are resistant to rust and chemical attack while the rail is nickel-plated and hardened to withstand mechanical shock and caustic cleaning fluids.

Further, the MiniRoller Rail supports loads of up to 720 N per roller, depending on size, with travel speeds up to 1.5 m/s and acceleration rates of up to 50 m/s².

The system is designed for compact machinery where space and hygiene are critical and is suitable for slicing, deboning, conveying and robotic picking systems in red meat, poultry and seafood lines.

The Rollon ELM series is recommend for linear actuator applications in food processing, offering a sealed belt-drive solution with internal recirculating ball guides housed in an extruded aluminium profile. Its polyurethane sealing strip shields internal components from high-pressure washdowns and airborne contaminants. To enhance sealing performance, the unit can be positively or negatively pressurised.

Additionally, an anti-corrosion version with stainless steel components is available for applications with direct fluid exposure or for use in corrosive atmospheres, such as brine and blood-rich zones typical of poultry evisceration or fish gutting lines.

The ELM actuator supports stroke lengths up to 6 m and loads up to 2 000 N, with travel speeds up to 5 m/s depending on model.

The system is engineered to reduce downtime and minimise maintenance in harsh environments by avoiding exposed mechanical components and enabling rapid cleaning cycles.

Further, mounting options and drive configurations can be customised and integration into multi-axis systems is simplified, owing to the profile’s modular compatibility, says BMG.

The BMG team offers full engineering support, including computer-aided design configuration, integration assistance, product selection and life-cycle optimisation services.

Rollon systems are ideally suited for original-equipment manufacturers building hygienic conveyors, portioners, sorters, cutters and handling systems across food protein processing environments.

Additionally, as these systems’ robust components are able to withstand high loads, continuous use and exposure to harsh environments, they are also suitable for other sectors, including automotive assembly, electronics manufacturing, packaging and materials handling.