Food, beverage, and industrial manufacturing solutions | iC7-Automation

Smart, energy-efficient drives for food, beverage, and industrial plants

In today’s fast-paced industries, manufacturers face mounting pressure to reduce emissions, prevent costly downtime, and optimize energy use; all while working within tight space constraints and securing industrial networks.

Tackle challenges head-on with VFDs: iC7-Automation for food, beverage, and industrial manufacturing

At Danfoss Drives, we understand the challenges you face. That’s why we created the iC7-Automation drive. It comes with a full range of configurations from cost-efficient 6-pulse solutions to advanced AFE solutions with low harmonic and regenerative capabilities engineered to help you:

Boost energy efficiency across your operations
Assist in meeting scope 2 emission targets without compromising cost-efficiency
Avoid unnecessary downtime caused by fieldbus updates
Ensure reliable communication to prevent line stoppages
Maximize space utilization for system integrators
Protect against Industrial IoT vulnerabilities that threaten productivity

With iC7-Automation drive units for automation, you gain smarter control, seamless integration, and robust performance, helping you to stay ahead in a competitive market.

Food and beverage solutions

Food and beverage industries operate under strict efficiency, hygiene, and sustainability requirements. From breweries to bakeries, producers must cut energy costs, avoid downtime, and meet ambitious emission targets, while keeping production safe and reliable. iC7-Automation can help you meet all these demands, with proven solutions.

Key challenges in food and beverage operations

How can factories boost efficiency to meet scope 2 emission targets cost-effectively?

How can facilities avoid costly unplanned downtime?

How can facilities future-proof their data visibility, to maximize uptime?

Talk to an expert

Want to improve productivity, efficiency and reliability in your food or beverage plant?

Today, finding ways to cut energy consumption while increasing productivity is absolutely achievable. iC7-Automation can help you to maximize efficiency in food and beverage operations, adapt successfully to changing consumer demands, and perform at best-in-class standards. Look forward to lower OPEX, more uptime, and less resource waste throughout your operations.

How iC7-Automation improves food and beverage operations

Challenge: How can the factory improve energy efficiency?

Solution: Using Danfoss FlexConcept with iC7-Automation and gear motors, we helped Hoegaarden® brewery bottling lines meet the highest efficiency class (IE5) and are easy to extend to meet future demand. We can help you do the same.

Outcome:

Conveyors operate with optimal speed to ensure best efficiency
Hoegaarden® is on track to Scope 2 emission targets
Conveyors are ready to meet future demands

Challenge: How can plant operators separate process and maintenance data to improve reliability?

Solution: Use iC7-Automation with dual-channel architecture to achieve better fieldbus performance. This enables data visibility and easy access to maintenance data without compromising processes.

Outcome:

Improved uptime due to smooth communication with no issues
Achieve digitalization goals
Benefit from improved data visibility via OPC-UA right down to individual drive level

Discover how OPC UA empowers secure industrial connectivity

Challenge: How can the plant reduce breakdowns to improve productivity?

Solution: Kohberg Bakery improved reliability of equipment using the intelligent iC7-Automation with extra sensors. This drive is proven to optimize uptime, offering high flexibility and scalability with a multitude of license-based add-ons. Simply unlock new features through a license key. We can do the same for you.

Outcome:

Improved operational reliability reduces unplanned downtime
Kohberg adapts to new fieldbuses with no need for specialists and no downtime to install new PCB cards
The adaptability of iC7-Automation ensures the facility is well prepared to meet new requirements arising in the future

Learn how Kohberg bakery reduced downtime risk

What is your role?

For OEMs and system integrators

Achieve scalable, energy-efficient conveyor systems with minimal downtime using iC7-Automation. Integration of this VFD is fast, and it offers high power density in a compact package. A single drive connects to any typical motor technology.

Discover iC7-Automation

For consultants

Help clients meet scope 2 emission targets by reducing energy consumption using iC7-Automation solutions. Conveyor belts and other food and beverage applications benefit from the Danfoss FlexConcept which offers exceptional productivity improvements as well as high efficiency.

For factories and operators

The most effective way to reduce energy consumption for conveyor belts and other food and beverage applications is by controlling electric motors with VFDs. Combine intelligent VFDs with sensors in the field to optimize productivity and reduce unplanned downtime.

Building, owning, or running machines? I've got your back. I can help you figure out how to lower your electricity bill, meet your green-energy goals, and ensure everything runs smoothly. If you've got questions, I'm here to help you find answers and great solutions.
Virgil Lupu, Drives expert, food & beverage at Danfoss

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Industrial solutions

Why industry needs smarter solutions?

Industrial operations must balance rising energy demands, space constraints, and cybersecurity risks. Smarter automation using active front-end and regenerative VFDs is key to delivering more output with fewer resources, while meeting global emission goals.

Key challenges in the industry

How can facilities cut energy costs while meeting scope 2 targets?

How can system integrators fit more power into limited space?

How can Industrial IoT-connected operations stay secure and reliable?

Connect with an expert

Want to manage highly dynamic load cycles in harsh conditions?

Challenge: How can industrial facilities improve energy efficiency using back-channel cooling?

Solution: Using iC7-Automation, you can reduce energy consumption, OPEX and CAPEX thanks to back-channel cooling: world-class heat management which reduces conditioning load. Efficiency is especially high at low speed, thanks to unique high-frequency injection. At the same time, these drives are broadly compatible, giving factories the freedom to use whichever high efficiency motor they prefer.

Outcome:

Reduced air-conditioning load
Reduced electricity bill reduces OPEX
Downsize air-conditioning unit to reduce CAPEX

Do you have questions? Get in touch with our expert
Discover iC7-Automation

Challenge: How can the system integrator fit more equipment into limited space?

Solution: Using iC7-Automation, horizontal directional drilling system integrator Herrenknecht fitted more performance into a tight space.

This drive offers fast and flexible integration, along with superior shaft performance and compact footprint.

Outcome:

With iC7-Automation, you can fit more high-torque shaft control power into less space
With accelerated integration, system integrators can speed up delivery to compete even better

Read the case story

Minimize downtime risk due to cyberattacks

Challenge: Risk of downtime due to vulnerabilities in the Industrial IoT network

Solution:

Minimize downtime risk due to cyberattacks. With iC7 series you can connect with confidence, using intelligent drives, security-ready for industrial demands, but also straightforward to work with.

The integrated hardware crypto chip enables the highest security level possible. For example, it protects external communication via fieldbus or cloud.

iC7-Automation is the most secure Industrial IoT-ready drive available, ready to secure your installation at the level you need.

Outcome:

Minimize downtime risk due to cyberattacks, with iC7-Automation
Get the most secure Industrial IoT-ready drive available

Cybersecurity at Danfoss drives

What is your role?

For OEMs and system integrators

Achieve scalable, energy-efficient systems with minimal downtime using iC7-Automation. Integration of this VFD is fast, and it offers high power density in a compact package. A single drive connects to any typical motor technology.

Discover iC7-Automation

For consultants

Help clients meet scope 2 emission targets by reducing energy consumption using iC7-Automation solutions. Conveyor belts benefit from Danfoss FlexConcept which offers exceptional productivity improvements as well as high efficiency.

For factories and operators

The most effective way to reduce energy consumption for industrial applications is by controlling electric motors with VFDs. Combine intelligent VFDs with sensors in the field to optimize productivity and reduce unplanned downtime.

iC7-Automation offers superb safety and ease of use with intuitive user interface, integrated functional safety or functional safety via fieldbus, and ease of maintenance with features like fast spare part replacement, and automatic motor adaption to get up and running again fast.

Discover iC7-Automation

Feel free to contact me, for advice ranging from the right drive for your application to recommendation of comprehensive solutions for your industrial system challenges

Vasile Bucelea, Drives expert, industry at Danfoss

Get expert help

Why Danfoss iC7-Automation?

iC7-Automation

Proven energy efficiency
Built-in cybersecurity
Reliable, scalable performance
Global service and support

Need more uptime and precision motor control?

iC7-Automation offers superb safety and ease of use, ideal for demanding industrial and food and beverage applications

Learn more about iC7-Automation

FAQ

How can the factory improve its energy efficiency?

VFDs such as iC7-Automation provide precise motor control that helps to optimize conveyor belt operations, reduce energy consumption, and minimize costly downtime.

VFDs adjust motor speeds based on demand, reducing energy usage when full power isn’t needed
When controlled by a VFD, conveyor belts, pumps, and mixers operate efficiently, lowering energy waste during fluctuating production loads
Using iC7-Automation you get superior shaft performance. Efficiency is especially high at low speed, thanks to unique high-frequency injection

How can the factory meet scope 2 emission targets?

Food and beverage factories meet Scope 2 emission targets by focusing on reducing indirect emissions from purchased electricity and heat. Strategies to achieve this indirect emission reduction include:

The factory can install VFDs to adjust motor speeds to match actual demand, reducing energy consumption in conveyors, pumps, mixers, and fans.
VFDs can monitor real-time energy use, allowing factory managers to identify inefficiencies and optimize system performance. iC7-Automation includes numerous integrated sensors for high-performance open or closed-loop control
Drives with integrated OPC UA streamline communication at all levels of operations, for better data security and ease of data management. Learn more about drives with integrated OPC UA
Lower energy use means less electricity drawn from power grids, reducing carbon emissions tied to purchased electricity

What’s the best way to avoid unplanned downtime due to breakdowns?

Apply VFDs to optimize motor performance by eliminating excessive wear and tear through precise control of acceleration, deceleration, and speed.

This reduces stress on mechanical parts and extends equipment lifespan. iC7-Automation offers best-in-class shaft performance to protect motors optimally against wear and tear
iC7-Automation provides detailed energy usage and motor performance reports, helping operators identify trends that may indicate inefficiencies or potential issues
Addressing inefficiencies early reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns

How can I minimize risk of downtime due to collision of process and maintenance data?

Use Industrial IoT-enabled VFDs that continuously monitor both process and maintenance data, alerting teams when potential conflicts between process and maintenance data are detected.

Smart VFDs, like the iC7-Automation, use dual-channel architecture to integrate process and maintenance data for seamless communication and coordination.

How does back-channel cooling reduce operating costs (OPEX)?

Back-channel cooling removes 90% of heat losses from the electrical room, to reduce air-conditioning load and therefore also electricity consumption. End-user gets a smaller electricity bill and reduced dimensions of air-conditioning unit for less capital investment

How can system integrators speed up the drive integration process?

By using a drive portfolio base on a unified platform and modular design, system integrators can save time on integration to enable faster delivery.

iC7-Automation is such a portfolio, built on a common hardware and software platform that scales from frequency converters to system modules and enclosed drives.

The system modules are designed for fast and flexible integration, which gives system integrators a competitive edge. By integrating the drives quickly, they can deliver faster to customers.

To accelerate system integration, you can conveniently extend functionality:

Select the optional integration unit to neatly integrate filters beneath the inverter module

The frequency converters and enclosed drives are preconfigured and delivered to meet your exact requirements, saving expensive installation time.

Everything is integrated: EMC and harmonic filter, brake chopper and DC/load-sharing connection.
For IP21/Type 1 enclosures, fuse and disconnect are also available built in.
Control and fieldbus protocols are preconfigured at the factory or can easily be upgraded in the field.
For easy installation and service, most connectors are pluggable, color-coded, and clearly marked for easy identification.

How do iC7 drives prevent execution of unauthorized software?

iC7 drives offer full security-by-design in hardware and software thanks to

Built-in cryptochip with fast and secure encryption. This chip ensures hardware-based protection
Trusted firmware only
Encrypted firmware and application

Cybersecurity in iC7 series | Danfoss

What compliance does Danfoss offer in cybersecurity for Industrial IoT?

The product development process at Danfoss Drives is certified according to IEC 62443-4-1, ensuring that customers receive securely developed drives following a strict process. The level of integrated security provides a good balance between mitigating risk exposure of the drive, while maintaining good usability for commissioning and service situations.

Contact our experts

Virgil Lupu, Drives expert, food & beverage at Danfoss and Vasile Bucelea, Drives expert, industry at Danfoss

Talk to our experts

Whether you operate in Food & Beverage or Industrial markets, our specialists are here to help you solve your toughest challenges. Connect directly with our experts to discuss how Danfoss iC7-Automation can help you cut energy use, improve uptime, and secure your operations for the future.

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