NSF-H1 lubricants for Gear Boxes in the food industry: Selection, Benefits, and Best Practices.
What are NSF H1 lubricants and why are they so important for Gear Boxes in the food industry?
NSF H1 lubricants are certified for applications where a casual contact with food cannot be excluded . For Gear Boxes in food production, they are crucial for minimizing contamination risks and to meet strict hygiene regulations as well as legal requirements like the EU Regulation 178/2002. This ensures product integrity and avoids costly recalls.
What advantages do synthetic NSF H1 gear oils offer over mineral variants?
Synthetic NSF H1 oils, especially those based on mPAO, provide a significantly better thermal and oxidative stability, a broader temperature range (e.g., -40°C to +150°C), and superior wear protection. This leads to longer oil change intervals, lower maintenance efforts, and potentially higher energy efficiency compared to mineral H1 oils.
What should I consider when switching my Gear Boxes to NSF H1 lubricants?
When switching, a thorough flushing of the Gear Box is essential, ideally with the new NSF H1 oil, to completely remove residues of the old lubricant. Even small mixtures with non-H1 oils can invalidate the NSF H1 compliance. In addition, filter elements should be changed and material compatibility, especially of seals, must be checked.
Can modern NSF H1 lubricants provide the same performance as conventional industrial lubricants?
Yes, modern synthetic NSF H1 lubricants are formulated to be comparable to conventional industrial lubricants in many performance aspects such as wear protection, load carrying capacity, and oxidation stability. They can even be superior. Additive technology plays a crucial role here to ensure reliable lubrication even under demanding conditions.
How does ATEK Drive Solutions support the selection of the right food-compliant Gear Box and lubricant?
ATEK Drive Solutions offers comprehensive technical consulting and provides tailored system solutions, consisting of Gear Boxes, motors, brakes, and the suitable NSF H1 lubricants. By analyzing your specific application and operating conditions, we help you find the optimal and compliant drive solution for your requirements in the food industry.
What does NSF H1 registration mean concerning the FDA?
The NSF H1 registration confirms that a lubricant is suitable for occasional food contact. The ingredients of these lubricants must meet the strict requirements of FDA Regulation 21 CFR 178.3570 . The FDA itself does not approve or register lubricants directly; this task is handled by the NSF as an independent organization.
What role does viscosity play in the selection of an NSF H1 gear oil?
Viscosity (e.g., ISO VG 220, 320, 460) is a critical selection criterion and describes the flowability of the oil at a specific temperature. The correct viscosity, tailored to the Gear Box type, speed, load, and ambient temperature, is crucial for an optimal lubrication film, effective wear protection, and the energy efficiency of the drive.
What are MOSH/MOAH and why are they relevant for food lubricants?
MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are mineral oil constituents. For food lubricants, it is important to keep their content as low as possible to avoid contamination of food. Highly refined base oils and special formulations help minimize the MOSH/MOAH values in NSF H1 lubricants and increase food safety.
The use of NSF H1 certified lubricants in Gear Boxes is essential for food safety and compliance with regulations, thereby effectively minimizing contamination risks and ensuring product quality.
Modern synthetic NSF H1 gear oils, such as mPAO-based formulations, offer superior performance, can extend maintenance intervals by up to 75% and enhance the energy efficiency of plants by up to 3.6%, resulting in significant cost savings.
ATEK Drive Solutions provides complete, optimally coordinated drive solutions (Gear Boxes, motors, brakes) including (Getriebe, Motoren, Bremsen) inklusive food-compliant NSF H1 lubricants and grounded technical consulting for maximum production safety and efficiency in the food industry.Learn how you can meet the highest hygiene standards with food-compliant Gear Boxes and NSF H1 lubricants, avoid production downtimes, and increase the efficiency of your plants.
In the food industry, the highest hygiene standards are essential. Food-compliant Gear Boxes with NSF H1 lubricants play a key role. Would you like to learn more about the optimal solution for your application? Get in touch now Contact with our experts!
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Understanding: Basics of food-compliant Gear Boxes and NSF H1 lubricants
The right Gear Box technology and NSF H1 lubricants are crucial to avoiding contamination and production downtimes in food production, ensuring hygiene standards, and optimizing plant performance. Consulting services on these topics are available.
The necessity of special solutions in food production
A wrong lubricant choice can cause expensive production downtimes (e.g., €50,000/day). The selection of Gear Boxes and lubricants is strategic for food safety and efficiency under strict requirements. See Hygienic Design Gear Boxes.
Mastering challenges and regulations
The EU Regulation 178/2002 significantly influences lubricant selection. Minimizing contamination risks is legally mandated and critical to success. ATEK Drive Solutions assists you in compliance with the standards. You can find solutions at: Food and medical industry.
Proactively managing contamination risks
Unsuitable Gear Box oil can lead to batch recalls. A food-compliant Gear Box with NSF H1 lubricant helps prevent costly and brand-damaging scenarios. It is important to identify and eliminate risks early.Decoding: The importance of NSF H1 food quality
The NSF H1 registration confirms the safety of a lubricant in the event of accidental food contact. This certification is a global safety standard (e.g., Klüber Lubrication), particularly relevant for Gear Boxes in food applications with H1 lubricant. Additionally: Stainless steel worm Gear Boxes.
- NSF H1 certification: Confirms the safety of a lubricant in the event of occasional, accidental contact with food and is considered a globally recognized safety standard.
- Role of the FDA: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluates the ingredients of lubricants according to 21 CFR 178.3570 but does not grant direct approvals for lubricants.
- Tasks of the NSF: The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) registers and examines lubricants to ensure their compliance with FDA regulations.
- Category H1: Lubricants for applications where accidental food contact cannot be completely excluded – essential for food-compliant Gear Boxes.
- Category H2: Lubricants for use in areas with no possibility of food contact.
- Category H3: Also known as soluble or edible oils that can be used as corrosion protection or separating agents.
- Importance of distinguishing: A clear distinction and correct application of the H categories is essential for process safety in food production.
FDA compliance and the role of the NSF
The FDA evaluates the ingredients of lubricants (according to 21 CFR 178.3570) but does not approve them directly. NSF registers and examines lubricants according to FDA regulations (e.g., Mobil SHC Cibus oils).
Distinction: H1, H2, and H3 explained
Process safety requires a clear distinction: H1 for occasional food contact, H2 for areas without contact possibility, and H3 for edible oils. Specific requirements, as found in IP69k classified Gear Boxes , underscore the necessity of suitable lubricants.Selecting: Identifying suitable NSF H1 gear oils and their applications
Mineral oils are cost-effective but limited in their performance at extreme temperatures (-20°C to +120°C). Synthetic oils (e.g., mPAO-based, Klübersynth NH1 4 N) offer better oxidation stability and a broader temperature range, enabling longer maintenance intervals, especially for food industry Gear Box solutions with H1 lubricants.See HD Gear Boxes.
Applications in the food industry
NSF H1 lubricants can be used in various applications, such as in Gear Boxes of filling machines or bearings of packaging machines. For example, for deep drawing aluminum foils or lubricating chain conveyors up to 150°C. The correct selection ensures machine availability.
Importance of viscosity classes
ISO VG classes (e.g., 220, 320, 460) describe the flowability of the oil and must be selected specifically for the application. For example, cold applications require a lower viscosity than slow-running, heavily loaded Gear Boxes. The correct viscosity is crucial for wear protection and energy efficiency, especially in a food-compliant Gear BoxSee Stainless Steel Gear Boxes.Check: Apply important criteria for selecting NSF-H1 gear oils
Modern NSF H1 oils (e.g. Total Nevastane XSH) use additives for improved wear protection (EP properties) and increased oxidation resistance. For example, oil change intervals can be extended by up to 50%. Additive technology is crucial for longevity and minimizing failures, especially in a food-safe gear box with NSF-H1 oil. For the pharmaceutical sector: Hygienic Design Gear Reducers.
- Performance features through additives: Modern NSF H1 oils contain special additives that improve wear protection (EP properties) and enhance oxidation resistance, which can lead to longer oil change intervals.
- Importance of additive technology: The correct additive formulation is crucial for maximizing the lifespan of the lubricant and the gear box as well as minimizing failures.
- Testing material compatibility: It is essential to check the compatibility of the lubricant with all plant components, especially seals (e.g. made of NBR or FKM), to avoid leaks and failures.
- Risks of incompatibility: Inappropriate lubricants can attack plastics or elastomers, which can lead to costly consequential damage.
- Compliance with OEM approvals: The selected oil should meet the specifications and approvals of the gear manufacturers (OEMs like SEW Eurodrive, Nord) to ensure the optimal functioning of NSF-H1-compliant gear boxes and lubricants .
- Minimizing MOSH/MOAH: Special attention is paid to minimizing mineral oil components (MOSH/MOAH); highly refined base oils help keep values below 10 mg/kg.
- Relevance for operational safety: Observing OEM guidelines and controlling contaminants are fundamental for operational safety and product quality.
Ensure material compatibility
The compatibility of the lubricant with all components (especially seals made of NBR/FKM) must be tested. Incompatibility can cause leaks and failures. For example, some synthetic oils attack plastics. A careful material compatibility test avoids consequential damage and is essential.
OEM approvals and MOSH/MOAH minimization
The selected oil must meet OEM specifications (e.g. from SEW Eurodrive, Nord) and minimize the risks from MOSH/MOAH. Highly refined base oils help keep MOSH/MOAH values below 10 mg/kg. Compliance with OEM guidelines and contaminant control are relevant for operational safety..Implement: Successfully mastering the transition and maintenance of NSF-H1 gear oils
Insufficient flushing during the transition to NSF H1 lubricants endangers certification. For example, even small residual amounts of non-H1 oil (less than 2%) can invalidate compliance. Thorough flushing (ideally with the new H1 oil) and a filter change are essential, to ensure the integrity of a food-compliant gear box with NSF-H1 lubricant . For demanding environments: IP69 Gear Boxes.
Conduct regular oil analyses
Regular oil analyses (e.g. every 6 months or after 1000 operating hours) reveal signs of wear, contamination, and oil aging. For example, an increase in iron content may indicate bearing wear. Proactive monitoring extends the lifespan of gear boxes and oil and ensures product quality.
Optimize maintenance strategies
Preventive maintenance is always preferred over reactive maintenance. Synthetic H1 oils (e.g. Mobil SHC Cibus) can often double maintenance intervals (for example, from 2000 to 4000 hours). An optimized maintenance reduces downtime and operating costs. Please also note Stainless Steel IEC Motor.Benefit: Utilize ATEK’s NSF H1 solutions for maximum food safety
ATEK Drive Solutions offers complete drive solutions consisting of food-compliant gear boxes and NSF-H1 lubricants. For example, consulting on the design of bevel gear boxes with H1 oil for packaging machines (10,000 cycles/day). Here you will receive optimally coordinated system solutions.
- Complete system solutions: ATEK Drive Solutions delivers not just individual components but complete drive solutions that include hygienic gear boxes with food-safe lubricants (NSF H1). Individual technical consulting:
- Individuelle technische Beratung: Customers benefit from profound technical expertise and individual consulting, for example in the design of drives for specific applications in the food industry that require a food-compliant Gear Box with NSF H1 lubricant specialized approach.
- Years of experience: The consulting is based on extensive experience and a portfolio of over 400,000 delivered parts and drive solutions.
- Flexibility through modular system: The modular ATEK system allows millions of configuration options and ensures short delivery times, even for custom special solutions.
- Quick realization: Custom servo bevel gear boxes with NSF-H1 filling can often be delivered within 2-3 weeks.
- Advantages of the system approach: The ATEK approach offers high flexibility, ensured quality, and attractive value for money for users.
- Focus on safety and efficiency: The right choice of gear box and NSF-H1 lubricant is crucial for food safety and production efficiency, with ATEK providing comprehensive support for your drive technology for food production with NSF-H1 lubrication offered.
Technical expertise and individual consulting
Support in lubricant selection for special applications (e.g. open planetary gears) is based on many years of experience and over 400,000 delivered parts. For example, a detailed analysis of operating conditions leads to recommendations that maximize food safety and efficiency. Technical consulting is provided.
Advantages of the ATEK modular system
The modular system allows millions of configurations and short delivery times, even for special solutions. For example, a custom servo bevel gear box with NSF-H1 filling can often be realized within 2-3 weeks. This system approach offers flexibility, ensured quality, and a good value for money.
The right choice of gear box and NSF-H1 lubricant is crucial for safety and efficiency. mPAO-based synthetic oils promote performance and longevity. ATEK Drive Solutions provides the suitable drive technology; offers are available on request.
