Cleaning the barrels: an essential requirement for product quality.
In wineries, craft breweries, distilleries and farms, cleaning surfaces that come into contact with the product is a crucial step in ensuring quality, safety and continuity of production.
Barrels, barriques, vats and tanks are constantly exposed to organic residues, yeasts, musts and sediments which can compromise the quality of wine, beer or spirits if not removed correctly.
For this reason, automatic washing systems are now widely used by modern wineries and equipment manufacturers. They are, in fact, capable of reaching every part of the container’s internal surface, ensuring it is cleaned thoroughly.
Among these, gear motors for barrique and barrel cleaning nozzles are one of the most effective solutions.
How does a barrel-washing lance work?
A barrel-washing lance is used to clean barrels, barriques, vats or tanks. It is a device that is inserted into the barrel or barrique. Thanks to one or more high-pressure nozzles fitted to it, it sprays water or detergent onto the inner walls.
The wash head must rotate at a constant, controlled speed in order to cover the entire surface evenly. It is important that the speed is low, as otherwise the cleaning would not be carried out properly.
Similarly, one should not set the speed too low, so as not to increase the duration of the idle running.
The key strength of this device, therefore, lies in its ability to ensure precise, reliable and long-lasting rotation.
That is why the gear motor plays a vital role.
Because the gear motor is the heart of the washing lance.
The gear motor converts the high speed of the electric motor into a slow rotation with sufficient torque to drive the barrel-washing head. In particular, the gear motor for barrique and barrel-washing lances must have specific characteristics. An incorrectly sized component may cause:
- irregular rotations;
- loss of accuracy;
- premature wear and tear of the machine;
- frequent maintenance;
- plant shutdown.
For this reason, manufacturers of professional machinery are looking for compact, reliable solutions capable of operating for thousands of hours in environments characterised by water, humidity and cleaning agents.
EP35V12W9R458CL: Automec’s solution for cask and barrique cleaning nozzles
For this type of application, Automec recommends the EP35V12W9R458CL planetary gearmotor.
This solution is particularly popular with manufacturers of washing systems thanks to its combination of compact dimensions, reliability and an output speed suitable for slow rotary applications.
Key features
- Power supply: 12 V DC
- Motor power: 9 watts
- Reduction ratio: 458:1
- Technology: DC motor with planetary gearbox
- Compact dimensions: 35 x 35 mm
- Permanent lubrication
- Continuous operation
- High mechanical reliability
The high reduction ratio enables slow, controlled rotation, which is ideal for the washing heads used in casks and barriques.
The advantages of epicyclic gearboxes in washing machines
When designing a machine intended to operate for many hours a day, the choice of gearbox technology is crucial. Planetary gearboxes offer significant advantages over other solutions.
1. Greater compactness
The epicycloidal design makes it possible to achieve high reduction ratios within extremely compact spaces. This allows for the design of more compact and lightweight machines.
2. Improved load distribution
The load is distributed simultaneously across several satellites. This results in a longer service life for the components and greater reliability over time.
3. High torque
Whilst remaining compact in size, the gearbox is capable of generating sufficient torque to move the wash head smoothly.
4. Quiet operation
A feature that is particularly appreciated in machinery designed for the food industry and wineries.
5. Less maintenance
Permanent lubrication helps to reduce routine maintenance and the running costs of the plant.
Applications in wineries
A prime example of quality: Tenuta Rignana, with its vineyard and winery in Chianti (https://rignana.it/it/tenuta/)
Typical applications include:
- wooden barrel-washing lances;
- automatic barrique washing systems;
- machines for sanitising ageing casks;
- washing systems for wine vats;
- CIP systems for wineries;
- cleaning of stainless steel tanks;
- cleaning of must and wine containers.
In all these applications, it is essential to ensure that the wash head rotates continuously in order to guarantee uniform coverage of the spray.
Use in craft breweries
In the brewing industry, too, cleaning is one of the most critical tasks. Craft breweries frequently use automatic washing systems to:
- fermenters;
- maturation tank;
- storage tanks;
- process vessels.
The EP35V12W9R458CL enables the creation of reliable, energy-efficient handling systems that are particularly well-suited to the needs of small and medium-sized manufacturers.
Solutions for distilleries and the food industry
Distilleries and food manufacturers must comply with increasingly stringent hygiene standards. For this reason, washing equipment is required that can guarantee:
- consistency in cleaning;
- process repeatability;
- reduction in downtime;
- operational reliability.
The EP35 gear motor is an ideal component for these applications thanks to its design features and long service life.
Why choose a gearmotor manufactured by Automec
Automec has been manufacturing planetary gearmotors for a wide range of industrial sectors for over forty years. Thanks to in-house production, we are able to offer:
- direct quality control;
- short production lead times;
- specialised technical support;
- product customisations;
- development of bespoke solutions for OEMs
For manufacturers of barrel and barrique washing machines, this means being able to rely on a technical partner capable of supplying reliable components and providing support throughout the project’s development.
Conclusions
The quality of the internal cleaning of casks, barriques and tanks depends on many factors, but the precision with which the cleaning head is manoeuvred is one of the most important factors.
The EP35V12W9R458CL planetary gearmotor has been designed to ensure controlled, reliable and long-lasting rotation in professional washing applications.
Thanks to its compact size, planetary gear technology and long service life, it is an ideal solution for machine manufacturers, wineries, craft breweries, distilleries and food industry companies looking to create efficient and reliable cleaning systems.
Request information
If you are designing a barrel-washing lance, a barrique-washing machine or a tank sanitisation system, the Automec technical team can help you choose the solution best suited to your specific requirements.