09.06.2026
Precision Fish Processing with Stainless Steel Bevel Gearboxes
Benefits
Increased Product Yield
The precise control provided by the stainless steel bevel gearboxes enables highly accurate cutting operations. This minimizes unnecessary removal of valuable salmon meat and helps maximize yield from every fish processed.
Hygienic Design for Food Processing
The gearbox design features smooth stainless steel surfaces without recesses or contamination traps. This simplifies cleaning procedures, reduces bacterial risks and eliminates the need for external protective covers.
Energy-Efficient and Reliable Operation
With a dynamic efficiency of up to 96%, the bevel gearbox minimizes energy losses while providing stable and precise motion control. The robust design supports continuous operation in demanding food industry environments.
Company profile
Marel develops advanced processing equipment and automation solutions for the global fish, meat and poultry industries. The company focuses on increasing food safety, productivity and product quality through innovative processing technologies. As part of its ongoing product development, Marel continuously seeks solutions that improve precision, hygiene and operational efficiency within food production.
Problem Statement
Marel was developing a new generation salmon processing machine where precise positioning and cutting of each fish was essential to maximize product yield. At the same time, all components needed to meet strict food industry requirements for hygiene, cleanability and resistance to aggressive cleaning procedures.
The company had been searching for stainless steel bevel gearboxes in the required sizes and configurations, but available market solutions did not fully support their technical and hygienic requirements. Special shaft designs, hygienic interfaces and compatibility with existing motor platforms were required.
Solution
BJ-Gear developed a new stainless steel bevel gearbox platform available in sizes SX22, SX32 and SX42. The gearboxes feature smooth hygienic surfaces without cavities where dirt or bacteria can accumulate and achieve a dynamic efficiency of up to 96%, minimizing energy losses.
For the Salmon Deheader MS 2720, BJ-Gear supplied three SX22 stainless steel bevel gearboxes for the conveyor systems and one SX32 stainless steel bevel gearbox for the cutting mechanism. Together with servo motors, the gearbox ratios were optimized to provide accurate acceleration, deceleration and positioning throughout the cutting process.
The solution was further complemented by BJ-Gear's FDA and USDA approved waterproof NG bearing units, which are used throughout Marel's processing equipment.
Long-Term Development Partnership
The project was built on several years of cooperation between Marel and BJ-Gear. Previous customization projects involving stainless steel worm gearboxes created the foundation for the development of the new stainless steel bevel gearbox platform.
Development of the Salmon Deheader MS 2720
The launch of Marel's new Salmon Deheader MS 2720 initiated the need for a dedicated stainless steel bevel gearbox solution. Both companies worked closely together to adapt the gearbox design to the machine's specific requirements.
Results
Results
1. Dynamic efficiency up to 96%
2. Successful integration into Marel's Salmon Deheader MS 2720
3. Improved cutting precision and fish handling
4. Higher product yield through more accurate cutting processes
5. Integration into Marel's advanced QC scanner technology for automated quality inspection
“We have been looking for stainless steel bevel gearboxes in the sizes we require for a long time. It has been very important that BJ-Gear can supply the gearboxes with special hollow shafts, clamping bushings and motor flanges that fit our motors while maintaining a hygienic design”
Mads Dahl, Product and Development Engineer, Marel
Lessons Learned
Standard Products Do Not Always Fit Specialized Food Applications
Food processing equipment often requires customized mechanical solutions that combine hygiene, precision and integration flexibility.
Precision Directly Impacts Profitability
Accurate positioning and cutting reduce waste and increase product yield, creating measurable value for food producers.
Collaboration Accelerates Product Development
The close cooperation between Marel and BJ-Gear enabled the development of a gearbox platform specifically tailored to the needs of modern food processing equipment, creating benefits for both companies and their customers.