The power of collaboration

Servo motor enables high speed and precision

The food industry has high demands for precision, reliability and efficiency. DJM Food Processing and Nidec Netherlands have joined forces to set a new standard in food processing with advanced drive technology. How did this collaboration come about and why is it working so well? We talked about it with Paul Gossink (Managing Director DJM Food Processing), Erik Holvast (New Systems, DJM) and Martijn Rijneveld (Sales Manager Nidec Netherlands).

Founded in 1978, DJM Food Processing specializes in the development of machinery for the food industry. From fast food and convenience food to pet food and vegetarian products, DJM offers innovative solutions that are deployed worldwide. The company is part of the American trading firm Reiser and works closely with other partners in the industry, such as Vemag and Seydelmann.

DJM has experienced strong growth in recent years. This growth is made possible in part by cooperation with the parent company and an increasingly well-functioning agent network. "We make good products and the market sees that too," says Gossink. "Our machines are distinguished by simplicity and reliability, thanks in part to Nidec's high-quality components. As a result, our machines sell themselves." Eight years ago, DJM employed only two engineers; now there are eight. The company is actively looking for a new location to enable further growth.

Expert in drive technology 

Nidec Netherlands, part of the Japanese multinational Nidec, is a leading supplier of variable speed drives and servo drives. The company operates under the name Nidec Netherlands B.V. and represents four specialized business units. One is Nidec Drives, the manufacturer of the well-known Control Techniques inverters that are used worldwide in industrial automation.    

With over fifty years of experience in mechanical engineering, Nidec offers innovative and reliable solutions for a variety of applications. "Our customers expect not only high-quality components, but also support and service worldwide," says Rijneveld. "The five-year warranty on controllers, which we recently started offering, underlines our confidence in the quality of our products."

VacForm machines: flexibility and precision 

The expertise of both companies comes together in the VacForm machines, one of DJM's flagship products. Servo drives and motors from Nidec are used in these. These machines produce formed food products such as hamburgers, schnitzels, chicken nuggets and even dog treats. And vegetable products can also be easily processed. "Our machines are suitable for meat, fish and plant-based products, which makes us extra flexible and future-proof," Holvast adds.

The VacForm machines are distinguished by their modular design and ease of use. "Our customers can easily integrate the machine into different production lines, depending on demand. In addition, the machine is compact and easy to clean and maintain," said Holvast. "We believe in 'hard to make it simple': making a complex technology usable in a simple and efficient way."

One of the challenges in developing the VacForm machines was the drive system. "In the late 1990s, we were working with other drive methods, but we ran into problems with reliability and precision," Gossink says. "We then ended up with Nidec because of its unique technology and support. Since then, we have been working together intensively."

Mutual commitment to innovation and quality 

The collaboration between DJM and Nidec is built on a shared commitment to innovation and quality. A concrete example is the implementation of Nidec's servo drives in the VacForm machines. The VacForm machine must achieve seventy strokes per minute. To achieve this, Nidec provides forced cooling on the servo motor that enables the high start-up speed. "Our machines require very precise and fast control," says Holvast. "It's quite unique what Nidec is doing. Thanks to her, we can work with this high speed and precision, which is crucial for our customers." Rijneveld: "DJM knows mechanically what it wants, and we make sure it is technically possible." 

In addition to the hardware, Nidec's global service and consulting role is of great importance. There is a quick response to challenges. "If we encounter a field problem that is not generic, we analyze it together," Gossink says. "We do simulations, reproduce the problem and find the cause. That way we solve issues quickly and learn continuously."

International growth and future vision 

An important milestone for DJM is the introduction of the latest generation of VacForm machines at IFFA Frankfurt, one of the largest trade shows for the food industry. "We test the prototypes extensively to see if they fit the market perfectly," said Gossink. "We continue to improve in terms of capacity, tooling changeover and easy maintenance. In addition, the control panels have been partially incorporated into the machines, so they take up even less space and the machine is still easily movable. The first reactions are positive, but we remain critical and listen to our customers' wishes." The Managing Director concludes that thanks in part to Nidec, DJM has established a strong position in the market. "Our service and reliability ensure that customers keep coming back to us. The cooperation with Nidec ensures that together we become stronger and stay ahead."