Food & Beverage

Slip Rings for the Food & Beverage Industry

ROTOCON brushless slip rings are commonly utilized in the food and beverage industry. Found throughout dairy production lines, plastic container and metal can manufacturing, and more, ROTOCONs can handle harsh conditions while maintaining reliable operation. By delivering accurate signals to ensure bottle capping machines measure the proper tightening force or provide accurate sensor and temperature readings in mixing vessels, ROTOCONs deliver dependable performance while consistently surpassing hundreds of millions of total revolutions. Their durability and reliability make them an excellent choice for keeping temperature readings accurate and providing smooth process control across different food and beverage manufacturing applications.

Application & Uses

Common Applications & Uses for Slip Rings in Food & Beverage

Sealed for Washdown Environments

ROTOCON rotary electrical connectors are crucial components in rotary fillers, commonly used in filling and bottling machinery. They enable continuous electrical power and data transfer to rotating parts of the machinery, such as filling heads or conveyors.

The ROTOCON Advantage

The ROTOCON advantage lies in its maintenance-free, uninterrupted performance, even in harsh, washdown environments. Sealed to IP67 standards, our rotating electrical connectors are unaffected by humidity, liquid exposure, and other challenges that compromise traditional slip rings, guaranteeing consistent and dependable operation.

Accurate Temperature Readings and Zero Downtime

ROTOCON brushless slip rings are used in plastic and foam container manufacturing, as well as other heated thermoforming processes, to deliver power to rotating cartridge heaters. They also transmit thermocouple temperature data from the forming head, ensuring precise and accurate process control.

The ROTOCON Advantage

ROTOCON rotating electrical connectors provide accurate temperature readings and consistent heater power, all within a maintenance-free design. Our slip rings support continuous, reliable operation with zero downtime, which is perfect for continuous, high-volume manufacturing.

Uninterrupted Operation and Maintenance-Free

ROTOCON rotary electrical connectors are used in metal can manufacturing and filling machinery to transfer power, signals, and data from the control panel to the rotating equipment that forms, lines, and inspects cans as they are produced.

The ROTOCON Advantage

Meridian Laboratory’s brushless slip rings offer reliable, maintenance-free performance for hundreds of millions of revolutions. ROTOCON slip rings guarantee consistent power and precise real-time information during the production process, operating at high rotational speeds 24/7.

Reliable and Long-Term Performance

ROTOCON brushless slip rings are used in capping equipment to transfer power and signal from the control panel to the rotating carousel.

The ROTOCON Advantage

ROTOCON slip rings deliver both power and signal in a single, maintenance-free assembly, capable of operating for hundreds of millions of revolutions without the need for adjustment or replacement. This results in reliable, long-term performance in high-volume production, where downtime is costly. With a ROTOCON, you can count on continuous, 24/7 operation in demanding environments.

Precise Sensor Readings and Continuous Power

ROTOCON electrical connectors are used in agitated process vessels to connect the stationary control panel with the rotating mix and measurement heads located inside the tank.

The ROTOCON Advantage

Our ROTOCON slip rings brushless technology allows the ROTOCON to deliver the most accurate sensor readings, regardless of rotational speeds or start-stop conditions. Operating without maintenance, they provide dependable, stable performance in demanding environments. They guarantee accurate signal transmission to and from sensors and devices, providing precise readings and consistent power delivery during both rotation and stationary periods.

Design Your Perfect Custom ROTOCON Rotary Ground

Use our comprehensive configurator to find or design the perfect brushless rotary ground with ease!

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Capabilities

Engineering Capabilities & Services

Meridian Laboratory starts every project by working to understand the goals and objectives of a customer’s application. Our experienced engineering team works with companies large and small across the world in a wide variety of industries. Our electrical, mechanical, and application support engineers have a diverse set of experiences to aid in solving the most challenging problems related to rotational motion. Most custom ROTOCON rotating electrical connectors can be designed from our expansive library of standard models, easily modified to meet your requirements without non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs involved. Additionally, we have the expertise to provide fully custom rotary solutions for complex applications.

  • 100% In-House Engineering & Design
  • Prototype to Production Level Support
  • Research & Development Testing
  • Drawing & Revision Control

Meridian Laboratory produces the machined components utilized within our ROTOCON slip rings, in-house from prototype to production, regardless of complexity or tolerance. Our highly experienced machining team utilizes the latest machine tools and measurement equipment to ensure the highest quality of components go into our final product. We have expertise working with a wide variety of materials including stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium, copper, brass, bronze, aluminum, plastics, and more.

  • CNC and manual machining equipment to support all volumes
  • Ability to machine 1-off prototypes
  • Automated bar pullers and parts catching for maximum output
  • Precision measurement equipment capable of measuring to 0.000027″ (0.0006858mm)

All ROTOCON slip rings and rotary solutions are assembled in the United States by Meridian Laboratory’s team of trained technicians from project start to completion. Our facilities and workflows allow for both prototype and high-volume production.

The components utilized within ROTOCON slip rings are strictly inspected and measured at numerous points during assembly to ensure quality conformance. All ROTOCON slip rings undergo final rotational and electrical bench testing prior to shipment. The results of this test are included with each ROTOCON slip ring as a Certificate of Conformance.

  • Extensive training program for assembly technicians
  • ERP inventory and manufacturing order tracking system
  • Quality system checks implemented at numerous points of manufacturing
  • Part serialization and traceability

Meridian Laboratory owns and utilizes a wide variety of standard and custom test and verification tools to benchmark, test, and certify its high performance ROTOCON rotary electrical slip rings. We can also provide developmental qualification testing to ensure potential rotary electrical solutions meet the application requirements of our customers prior to design finalization and manufacturing.

  • First Article Inspection (FAI)
  • Certificate of Conformance (CoC) for all products
  • 100% End-of-Line Testing
  • Performance Verification Testing (PVT)
  • Burn-In Testing
  • High Current Testing
  • High Voltage Insulation Testing
  • Ethernet Bit Error & Packet Loss Testing
  • Environmental Chamber Testing
  • High Speed Rotational Testing
  • Kelvin Resistance Testing
  • HALT Testing
  • Reliability / Longevity Testing
  • Material Compatibility Testing
  • Customer Application Specific Testing

Meridian Laboratory is dynamic in offering additional services and support to meet the specific needs of our customers. From initial inquiry to ongoing volume production and beyond, we work to ensure unbeatable quality and service is provided for every project and customer.

  • Ongoing technical and sales support
  • Flexible delivery scheduling
  • Custom packaging & labeling
  • Product stocking agreements
  • Blanket purchase orders
  • Post delivery follow-ups
  • EOL product recycling services

Related Industries

Related Industries to Food & Beverage

heavy equipment digging

CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods)

Application & Uses

  • Diaper Manufacturing
  • Rotary Sealers 
  • Thermoformed Lip Rollers
  • Flow Wrappers
oil gas building

Integrators

Application & Uses

  • Material Handling
  • Robotics
  • Palletizing
  • Assembly
  • Welding
welding sparks

Original Equipment Manufacturers

Application & Uses

  • Food & Aerosol Can Machinery 
  • Plating Lines
  • Machine Tools
  • Web Converting Machinery
  • Non-Destructive Testing Equipment
  • Welding Positioners

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Resources

Helpful Information

Browse our collection of slip ring resources to find detailed information on each model, including mounting instructions, applications, FAQs, whitepapers, and more.