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NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has announced the NXD tupH Sealed Surface Conversion System, a surface protection solution for aluminium gear units and motors operating in harsh environments. According to the announcement published by the company’s US organisation on 13 October 2026, the food-safe treatment gives aluminium units hygiene and corrosion resistance comparable to stainless steel, at a lower cost.
Aimed at hygiene-sensitive drive applications
NORD positions the system for food and beverage, pharmaceutical, packaging and other demanding, hygiene-sensitive applications. “NXD” stands for NORD eXtreme Duty, while “tupH” is derived from “tough” and “pH value”.
A two-step surface process
Aluminium housing parts first undergo a surface conversion that creates an inert surface with strong adhesion for the next layer. They are then cured with a thin, high-performance, food-grade sealer, producing a non-porous surface. According to NORD, the surface can be cleaned hygienically over many cleaning cycles without flaking or corroding.
The company states that the surfaces are free from chromates and PFAS, are chemically resistant and are food-safe under US FDA rules, EU Regulation 1935/2004, Swiss regulations and MERCOSUR state regulations.
Weight and thermal benefits of aluminium
NORD says aluminium housings make drives significantly lighter than stainless steel versions, allowing a compact design that is easier to handle and install. The high thermal conductivity of aluminium dissipates heat faster, which the company says enables higher power density and lower peak surface temperatures.
Product availability
NXD tupH is offered on many standard NORD products without separate warehousing or installation costs and with fast delivery. According to NORD, it is available for all NORD smooth-surface aluminium products, including the DuoDrive integrated gear unit and motor, non-ventilated (TENV) IE5+ smooth-surface motors, IE3 smooth-surface motors, NORDBLOC.1 helical in-line gear units, UNICASE parallel shaft gear units, NORDBLOC.1 helical bevel gear units and UNIVERSAL SMI worm gear units. NORD adds that the NORDAC ON PURE decentralised variable frequency drive will also be available with the option soon.
Sources
- NORD DRIVESYSTEMS (NORD Gear Corporation, USA), “NORD Announces NXD tupH® for Reliable Surface Protection in Extreme Conditions”, 13 October 2026: nord.com
Image: NORD DRIVESYSTEMS
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