HARTING have launched a new range of connectors specifically designed for the food and beverage industry.

The new Han® F+B range is fully optimised to meet the stringent hygiene standards with easy to clean design for application within splash zones (zone 2) as specified by the EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group) guidelines. Characterised by a large radius and a smooth surface, the risk of dirt pockets is dramatically reduced therefore reducing the risk of bacteria.

Made from polypropylene plastic, the Han® F+B range is resistant to ECOLAB-certified detergents and is FDA 21 approved. It has IP67 and IP69K protection class to withstand long-term daily cleaning.

With a wide variety of possible inserts, the new Han® F+B range from HARTING offers greater flexibility in the production line.

Hygienic safety is priority number one in the food and beverage industry – which has far-reaching effects on the entire production system. HARTING Technology Group has launched the connector series Han® F+B, that eliminates existing limitations in system design while making new approaches possible.

The food industry imposes extremely demanding requirements. As a result, production and packaging is divided into three zones: the product contact area, the splash zone, and the product-free zone. The product-free zone is the area of the plant where products are already packed and as a result are protected against contamination. Existing HARTING connectivity products can be used here, and as such there are no restrictions with respect to plant and system design.

However, the same does not hold true for the product contact area and splash zone. Here, all surfaces must be designed as flat as possible and with no gaps or spaces, failing which dirt pockets would develop and food residues might become trapped. This could, in turn, create an unacceptable bacterial load in the plant.

In addition to these design specifications, daily cleaning is mandatory. Plants are often cleaned with high pressure and steam cleaners containing aggressive acid or alkaline-based cleaning agents, which means that standard components are not suitable for use.

SPECIAL SOLUTION FOR THE FOOD INDUSTRY

Harting Han F+B connectorHARTING connectors from the new Han® F+B range have been designed in an environmentally optimised manner for the vicinity surrounding the splash area. The patented design is characterised by a large radius and smooth surfaces, in accordance with EHEDG guidelines, making it easy to clean with standards ISO 14 159 and DIN EN 1672-2.

The material consists of polypropylene plastic, which is resistant to ECOLAB-certified detergents and is FDA 21 approved. It is resistant to hot and cold temperatures ranging from -40°C to +125°C allowing for application in a range of environments. All soft product components are blue, which enables quality monitoring camera systems to consistently and reliably detect detached sub-components. Both the IP67 and IP69K protection classes and surface properties of the HARTING Han® F+B connector can withstand the long-term impact of daily cleaning agents.

VERSATILITY OF USE

Harting Han Q High Density with 21 signal contacts

The central advantage of the Han® F+B connector lies in its versatility in contact transmission. HARTING offers more than 25 different contact inserts for the transmission of bus systems, signals and power contacts up to 40 amps. This large portfolio is rounded out by electrical transmission and fibre optic technology, each with different termination technologies.

This versatility opens up completely new possibilities in the design of previously hard-wired plant components. Components such as film winders, exhaust systems, heating and cooling units can be produced in pluggable design. In future, machine units will be able to be modularly designed. Downtime is being drastically reduced by “plug and play” components, and reduced commissioning times are cutting costs.

For more information, visit www.HARTING.co.uk/foodandbeverage

To request a sample of the Han® F+B connector or for more information, phone +44 (0) 1604 827500 or email [email protected].

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