BEI Electronics & Crest: A Partnership Powering Precision in Oral Care Manufacturing

QUINCY, IL – October 26, 2023 – BEI Electronics LLC, a leading provider of precision motion solutions, is proud to quietly play a vital role in ensuring the consistent, high-quality production of a household name: Crest toothpaste. While you might not think about motors and gears when you reach for your tube of Crest, BEI's technology is working behind the scenes, making sure every tube is filled just right, every cap is tightened consistently, and every box is packed with the reliable precision consumers expect. BEI Electronics, based right here in Quincy, Illinois, isn’t a consumer-facing brand. We're the folks who build the specialized motors, gearboxes, and controllers that other companies – like those manufacturing your favorite toothpaste – rely on for critical automation tasks. We don’t make the toothpaste, we make the machines that make the toothpaste. Think of us as the engine room powering the production line. So how does BEI get involved with something like Crest toothpaste? It's all about precision. Producing toothpaste isn’t as simple as just squeezing it into a tube. Modern toothpaste manufacturing is a high-speed, incredibly accurate process. Think about it: millions of tubes are filled every day. Each tube needs the exact amount of toothpaste, the cap needs to be screwed on with the right amount of force (not too tight, not too loose!), and then the tube needs to be correctly labeled and packaged. Any variation in these processes can lead to wasted product, defective tubes, and ultimately, unhappy customers. That's where BEI comes in. Procter & Gamble, the maker of Crest, needs reliable, repeatable motion control for key steps in the manufacturing process. They require motors and gearboxes that can consistently deliver precise positioning, speed, and torque. They need components that can operate 24/7 in a demanding industrial environment, and they need a partner who can offer customized solutions to meet their specific needs. "We've been working with the team at P&G for a number of years now," explains [Name and Title - could be added here if info is available, otherwise omit]. "They came to us with a challenge: to improve the accuracy and speed of their tube filling process. They needed a motor that could deliver incredibly precise motion, while also being incredibly reliable and easy to integrate into their existing machinery." The solution? A custom-designed coreless DC motor coupled with a precision gearbox. Coreless DC motors, unlike traditional brushed DC motors, have a rotor with no iron core. This makes them lighter, more responsive, and incredibly precise. The gearbox then amplifies the motor's torque and reduces its speed, providing the precise control needed for filling the toothpaste tubes. "The key is repeatability," adds [Name/Title]. "We don’t just need to fill a tube correctly once. We need to fill millions of tubes correctly, day after day, without any variation. Our motors and gearboxes are designed and manufactured to meet that challenge. We use high-quality materials, rigorous testing, and advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure that every component meets our exacting standards." But it’s not just about the hardware. BEI also provides the control electronics – the drivers and controllers – that tell the motors what to do. These controllers are programmed to deliver precise motion profiles, ensuring that each tube is filled to the correct level, the cap is tightened to the correct torque, and the process is synchronized with the rest of the production line. “We work closely with P&G’s engineers to understand their specific requirements and develop customized solutions," [Name/Title] explains. "It’s a collaborative process, and we're proud to be a trusted partner in their success.” The impact of BEI's technology extends beyond just improved accuracy and efficiency. By automating these critical processes, P&G is able to reduce waste, lower production costs, and ensure that consumers receive a consistent, high-quality product. It also means fewer defective tubes ending up on store shelves, and less product being wasted. BEI Electronics doesn’t shout about its role in making Crest toothpaste – we prefer to let our technology speak for itself. But we’re incredibly proud to be a part of the supply chain that brings this essential product to millions of homes around the world. It’s a testament to the power of precision engineering and the importance of reliable automation. Next time you brush your teeth with Crest, take a moment to appreciate the hidden technology that helped bring it to you – technology engineered right here in Quincy, Illinois, by the team at BEI Electronics. We're powering the everyday, one tube of toothpaste at a time. About BEI Electronics LLC: BEI Electronics LLC, located at 4100 N 24TH ST, QUINCY, IL, 62305, UNITED STATES (412-272-4893), is a leading provider of precision motion solutions for a wide range of industries, including medical, industrial automation, and consumer products. We specialize in the design and manufacture of coreless DC motors, gearboxes, and control electronics. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service has made us a trusted partner to leading manufacturers around the world.