1. Overview

In mechanical design, a utility module is a function module that provides and manages the auxiliary energy, auxiliary media, supply systems, and discharge systems required for equipment to operate properly.

A machine does not operate only with drive sections, working sections, transfer sections, and control sections.
Auxiliary conditions such as compressed air, vacuum, cooling water, cleaning water, power supply, lubrication, steam, exhaust, drainage, and waste discharge must be supplied reliably for equipment to operate continuously in the actual field.

The utility module is responsible for these fundamental operating conditions.

For example, pneumatic equipment cannot operate cylinders properly if compressed air pressure and flow rate are insufficient.
Vacuum handling equipment may drop products if vacuum level is unstable.
Equipment with heaters may experience unstable process quality if power capacity and temperature control conditions are not appropriate.
In food machinery, hygiene and production stability decrease if cleaning water, drainage, compressed air quality, steam, cooling water, CIP piping, and drain structures are not properly designed.

Therefore, the utility module is not simply a matter of connecting electricity, air, and water to equipment.
It is a design area that reviews the type of required media, pressure, flow rate, temperature, cleanliness, piping route, connection method, shutoff structure, discharge path, maintainability, safety, and hygiene.

In other words, the utility module is a design module that reliably supplies auxiliary energy and auxiliary media required for equipment operation, and safely discharges or manages them after use.

2. Definition

A utility module is a function module that supplies, distributes, regulates, shuts off, and discharges compressed air, vacuum, power, water, cooling water, hot water, steam, lubricants, cleaning water, exhaust, drainage, waste discharge, auxiliary gases, and similar utilities required for equipment operation.

The core purpose of this module can be summarized as follows:

To reliably supply the auxiliary energy and auxiliary media required by the machine, and to maintain operating conditions and safety conditions.

The utility module performs the following functions.

The utility module does not refer to one specific part.
It is a design perspective that includes compressed air systems, vacuum systems, power systems, cooling water systems, cleaning water systems, exhaust systems, drainage systems, lubrication systems, piping and cable routes, shutoff valves, filters, regulators, gauges, drains, connectors, manifolds, tanks, pumps, fans, and heat exchangers.

3. Role in Mechanical Systems

The utility module performs the following roles within a mechanical system.

3.1 It Creates Equipment Operating Conditions

For equipment to operate properly, the operating conditions required by each functional section must be satisfied.

Typical operating conditions include the following.

If utility conditions are unstable, the equipment will not operate reliably even if the mechanical structure is well designed.

For example, if pneumatic pressure is low, cylinder speed decreases, clamping force becomes insufficient, and operation completion signals may be delayed.
If cooling water flow is insufficient, the temperature of bearings, molds, heaters, and surrounding components may rise.
If the drainage structure is poor, standing water and contamination problems can occur in food machinery.

3.2 It Supplies Auxiliary Media Required by Each Functional Module

The utility module does not process or transfer products by itself.
However, almost every functional module depends on utility conditions.

For example:

• The drive module may require power, compressed air, hydraulic power, or cooling.

• The processing / working module may require heat, cooling water, steam, cleaning water, or exhaust.

• The tooling module may require cooling, cleaning, lubrication, or air blow.

• The holding / clamping module may require pneumatics, vacuum, or hydraulics.

• The hygienic / cleanability module may require cleaning water, drainage, compressed air quality, or CIP conditions.

• The control / sensing module may require power, grounding, waterproof connectors, cooling, or communication wiring.

Therefore, the utility module is a foundational module that allows each functional module to operate in practice.

3.3 It Distributes Energy and Media Reliably

Utilities are not complete simply because they are connected once to the equipment.
They must be distributed reliably inside the equipment to the required locations.

Factors to review in distribution design include:

• Piping route

• Cable route

• Manifold location

• Branching method

• Pressure loss

• Flow loss

• Voltage drop

• Heat loss

• Piping length

• Hose bending radius

• Maintenance accessibility

• Possibility of leakage

• Interference with vibration and moving sections

If distribution is poorly designed, pressure may be insufficient at the end point, flow rate may become unstable, cables may be damaged, or cleaning water may enter electrical components.

Good utility design manages not only the supply source but also the route to the final point of use.

3.4 It Enables Equipment Status and Abnormal Conditions to Be Checked

The utility module also plays an important role in equipment status monitoring and troubleshooting.

Typical status-checking elements include the following.

If utility status is not visible, it becomes difficult to identify the cause of failure.

For example, when a cylinder moves slowly, it may be difficult to determine whether the cause is low air pressure, valve trouble, cylinder wear, or mechanical interference.
Therefore, pressure gauges, flow meters, sensors, and indicators are important for maintainability and diagnostics.

3.5 It Enables Safe Shutoff and Discharge

Utilities are necessary for equipment operation, but they can also become sources of danger.

Typical hazards include the following.

Therefore, the utility module must include not only supply, but also safe shutoff, residual pressure removal, drainage, exhaust, leakage management, and protective structures.

During maintenance, power, pneumatics, hydraulics, steam, hot water, and vacuum must be safely shut off.
Even after shutoff, remaining pressure, heat, water, electrical energy, and gravity loads must also be reviewed.

3.6 It Manages the Production Environment and Surrounding Conditions

The utility module affects not only the inside of the equipment but also the surrounding production environment.

For example:

• Exhaust direction should not point directly toward operators.

• Compressed air discharge noise should not be excessive.

• Cooling water leakage should not create floor slipping hazards.

• Cleaning water drainage should not flow toward surrounding equipment.

• High-temperature piping should not be exposed along operator traffic routes.

• Dust discharge should not contaminate the workspace.

• Control panel heat generation should not raise internal equipment temperature.

Therefore, the utility module affects not only equipment performance, but also the work environment, safety, hygiene, and maintainability.

4. Main Types of Utility Modules

Utility modules can be divided into several types according to supply media and function.

5. Types of Utility Design Methods

5.1 Compressed Air Supply Design

Compressed air supply design provides stable air to pneumatic cylinders, air blow systems, pneumatic valves, pneumatic clamps, and similar devices.

Typical components include:

• Air filter

• Regulator

• Dryer

• Lubricator

• Pressure gauge

• Pressure sensor

• Manifold

• Pneumatic tube

• Shutoff valve

• Residual pressure release valve

Advantages

• Cylinders and pneumatic devices can operate reliably.

• Pressure and flow rate are easy to regulate.

• The structure is relatively simple and easy to maintain.

• It can be used for air blow, cleaning, and discharge assistance.

• Pneumatic safety shutoff structures can be configured relatively easily.

Points to Consider

• If pressure is insufficient, cylinder force and speed become insufficient.

• Air containing moisture or oil can cause problems in sensors, valves, and products.

• Long or narrow tubes increase pressure loss.

• Air blow can cause product contamination or scattering.

• In food machinery, compressed air quality and discharge direction must be reviewed.

Design Review Points

• Required pressure

• Required flow rate

• Air quality

• Filter grade

• Piping length

• Tube diameter

• End-point pressure

• Pressure gauge location

• Shutoff and residual pressure release

• Noise and exhaust direction

5.2 Vacuum Supply Design

Vacuum supply design provides vacuum required for suction pads, vacuum grippers, product holding, and vacuum transfer.

Typical components include:

• Vacuum pump

• Vacuum ejector

• Vacuum tank

• Vacuum filter

• Vacuum sensor

• Vacuum gauge

• Suction pad

• Vacuum manifold

• Vacuum release valve

• Vacuum piping

Advantages

• Products can be held without direct mechanical clamping.

• It is useful for thin products, films, packaging materials, and flat products.

• Clamp marks can be reduced.

• Suction status can be confirmed with sensors.

• It is easy to integrate with pneumatic systems.

Points to Consider

• Suction force changes depending on product surface condition.

• If leakage occurs, suction becomes unstable.

• If filters clog, vacuum level decreases.

• Product drop risk must be considered.

• In food machinery, suction pad material and cleanability must be reviewed.

Design Review Points

• Required suction force

• Product surface condition

• Vacuum level

• Possibility of leakage

• Pad material

• Filter location

• Vacuum sensor location

• Vacuum release method

• Product drop prevention

• Cleanability and foreign matter prevention

5.3 Cooling Water and Temperature Stabilization Design

Cooling water and temperature stabilization design removes heat or maintains stable temperature in heaters, molds, bearings, motors, control panels, working sections, and similar areas.

Typical components include:

• Chiller

• Circulation pump

• Cooling water piping

• Heat exchanger

• Flow meter

• Temperature sensor

• Cooling block

• Cooling jacket

• Valve

• Drain

Advantages

• Temperature rise can be suppressed.

• Quality variation can be reduced.

• Component life can be extended.

• It is advantageous for high-speed and continuous operation.

• Process stability improves where temperature conditions are important.

Points to Consider

• Cooling water leakage can cause serious problems in electrical components and products.

• Condensation can cause corrosion and electrical failures.

• Insufficient flow rate reduces cooling performance.

• Scale and contamination inside piping must be considered.

• Drainage and maintenance accessibility must be secured.

Design Review Points

• Heat generation

• Required cooling capacity

• Cooling water temperature

• Flow rate

• Piping route

• Possibility of leakage

• Possibility of condensation

• Drain location

• Temperature sensor location

• Maintainability

5.4 Cleaning Water and Drainage Design

Cleaning water and drainage design supplies water required for equipment cleaning and safely discharges used cleaning water and residue.

Typical components include:

• Cleaning water piping

• Cleaning nozzle

• Cleaning agent supply unit

• CIP piping

• Drain port

• Drain

• Drain tray

• Sloped surface

• Filter

• Waste liquid discharge line

Advantages

• Equipment hygiene can be maintained.

• Residue can be removed after product changeover.

• Operator cleaning work can be reduced.

• Cleaning quality can be standardized.

• It is essential for food machinery and hygienic equipment.

Points to Consider

• Cleaning water must not enter electrical components and sensors.

• Standing water must not occur.

• If drains clog, hygiene problems occur.

• Cleaning water flow can move contamination to other areas.

• Drainage direction and installation leveling must be reviewed together.

Design Review Points

• Cleaning target

• Cleaning water pressure

• Cleaning water flow rate

• Cleaning range

• Use of cleaning agents

• Drainage direction

• Drain location

• Possibility of standing water

• Electrical component protection

• Drying after cleaning

5.5 Heating Media and Steam Design

Heating media and steam design supplies hot water, steam, heaters, and heat transfer media for product heating, sterilization, temperature maintenance, cleaning, and drying.

Typical components include:

• Steam piping

• Hot water piping

• Heater

• Heat exchanger

• Temperature sensor

• Pressure gauge

• Pressure-reducing valve

• Safety valve

• Condensate discharge unit

• Insulation

Advantages

• It is suitable for high-temperature and sterilization processes.

• Product quality can be stabilized through temperature control.

• Cleaning and drying functions can be supported.

• It is easy to apply to continuous processes.

• It can be combined with heat exchanger structures.

Points to Consider

• High temperature and pressure create burn risks.

• If condensate discharge is not appropriate, efficiency decreases.

• Insulation and worker protection are required.

• Overheating and overpressure must be prevented.

• In food machinery, product-contact areas and steam quality must be reviewed.

Design Review Points

• Required temperature

• Required heat quantity

• Pressure condition

• Temperature control method

• Safety valve

• Condensate discharge

• Insulation

• Burn prevention

• Cleanability and hygiene

• Maintenance accessibility

5.6 Exhaust and Dust Collection Design

Exhaust and dust collection design safely removes heat, vapor, odor, dust, smoke, mist, and compressed air discharge generated during equipment operation.

Typical components include:

• Exhaust fan

• Duct

• Filter

• Dust collector

• Mist separator

• Exhaust port

• Suction hood

• Silencer

• Discharge line

• Differential pressure gauge

Advantages

• The work environment can be improved.

• Heat and humidity inside equipment can be reduced.

• Dust and mist can be removed.

• Product contamination risk can be reduced.

• It helps protect electrical components and sensors.

Points to Consider

• Suction direction can negatively affect product flow.

• Filter clogging must be managed.

• Exhaust noise and vibration must be considered.

• Discharge location must not affect operators or surrounding equipment.

• In food machinery, exhaust should not become a contamination route.

Design Review Points

• Source of contamination

• Required airflow

• Suction location

• Exhaust route

• Filter grade

• Filter replaceability

• Noise

• Exhaust direction

• Cleanability and hygiene

• Effect on work environment

6. Main Design Criteria

The following criteria should be reviewed when designing a utility module.

6.1 Clarity of Required Utilities

First, it must be clear what utilities the equipment requires.

Review points include:

• Is power required?

• Is compressed air required?

• Is vacuum required?

• Is cooling water required?

• Is cleaning water required?

• Are hot water or steam required?

• Is lubrication supply required?

• Are exhaust or dust collection required?

• Are drainage or waste liquid treatment required?

• Is auxiliary gas required?

If the required utilities are not clear, additional piping, additional power, and additional drainage problems may occur in the field after equipment installation.

6.2 Pressure, Flow Rate, Temperature, and Capacity

Utilities must satisfy required performance conditions, not simply be connected.

Review points include:

• Pneumatic pressure

• Pneumatic flow rate

• Vacuum level

• Cooling water flow rate

• Cooling water temperature

• Cleaning water pressure

• Cleaning water flow rate

• Steam pressure

• Heater capacity

• Power capacity

• Exhaust airflow

• Drain capacity

If utility capacity is insufficient, the equipment may operate, but quality and stability can decrease.

6.3 Quality and Cleanliness

For some utilities, quality and cleanliness are important.

Review points include:

• Moisture in compressed air

• Oil in compressed air

• Foreign matter in compressed air

• Cleaning water quality

• Cooling water contamination

• Steam quality

• Lubricant cleanliness

• Filter grade

• Possibility of food contact

• Possibility of corrosion

In food machinery, compressed air, water, steam, and lubricants may contact the product directly or indirectly, so quality conditions must be reviewed separately.

6.4 Piping and Cable Routes

Utility routes directly affect equipment maintainability, safety, and hygiene.

Review points include:

• Piping length

• Bending radius

• Interference with moving sections

• Distance from high-temperature sections

• Separation between electrical components and water piping

• Distance from product-contact areas

• Floor piping

• Maintenance accessibility

• Need for cable carriers

• Labels and identification

If piping and cables are forced into place after the equipment is completed, they can easily create failure and maintenance problems.
Utility routes should be designed together during the initial layout stage.

6.5 Shutoff and Maintainability

Utilities must be safely shut off during maintenance.

Review points include:

• Main shutoff valve

• Power circuit breaker

• Pneumatic shutoff valve

• Residual pressure release valve

• Drain valve

• Filter replacement space

• Pump inspection space

• Gauge visibility

• Piping disconnectability

• Leakage inspection accessibility

Maintenance becomes safer when service personnel can easily shut off utilities and confirm their condition.

6.6 Prevention of Leakage, Condensation, and Contamination

Leakage and contamination management are important in utility systems.

Review points include:

• Air leakage

• Vacuum leakage

• Water leakage

• Oil leakage

• Steam leakage

• Condensation

• Internal piping contamination

• Filter clogging

• Drain clogging

• Ingress into product areas

Leakage is not only an energy loss.
It can cause equipment failure, product contamination, and safety accidents.

6.7 Safety

Because utilities include hazardous energy sources, safety must be reviewed.

Review points include:

• Overpressure prevention

• Overcurrent protection

• Ground fault protection

• High-temperature protection

• Residual pressure removal

• Slip prevention

• Exhaust direction

• Noise reduction

• High-pressure hose protection

• Safety valve application

The utility module should be designed as a structure that supports equipment function while also managing hazardous energy.

6.8 Hygiene and Cleanability

In food machinery, the utility module must also consider hygiene and cleanability.

Review points include:

• Does cleaning water not accumulate?

• Does residue not accumulate on the outside of piping?

• Are lubrication piping and oil-related components not located above the product?

• Does compressed air contact the product directly?

• Does the drainage direction not spread contamination?

• Can piping connections be cleaned?

• Can drains be cleaned?

• Can the equipment dry after cleaning?

In food machinery, utilities can become contamination routes even if they do not directly participate in the process.

7. Interface with Other Modules

The utility module is connected to all functional modules.

7.1 Relationship with the Drive Module

The drive module depends on utilities such as power, compressed air, hydraulics, cooling, and lubrication.

Review points include:

• Is motor power capacity sufficient?

• Are pneumatic pressure and flow rate required by cylinders supplied?

• Can reducer lubrication condition be managed?

• Is servo drive cooling required?

• Can utilities be shut off during drive-unit maintenance?

7.2 Relationship with the Power Transmission Module

The power transmission module may require lubrication, cooling, protection, and exhaust conditions.

Review points include:

• Can chains and gears be lubricated?

• Is a lubrication line required for ball screws?

• Can reducer oil be drained and refilled?

• Is heat inside covers discharged?

• Does lubricant not move toward the product area?

7.3 Relationship with the Motion / Positioning Module

The motion / positioning module is related to lubrication, pneumatics, vacuum, and cable routes.

Review points include:

• Can linear guides be lubricated?

• Do moving cables and tubes avoid interference?

• Are vacuum or pneumatic lines supplied reliably to moving axes?

• Is a cable carrier required?

• Does cooling water piping not affect moving sections?

7.4 Relationship with the Processing / Working Module

The processing / working module may require heat, cooling, water, steam, exhaust, and dust collection conditions.

Review points include:

• Is cooling required for the working section?

• Should cutting chips or dust be discharged?

• Are heater and steam supply required?

• Are cleaning water or cleaning agents required?

• Can waste liquid and residue be discharged after the process?

7.5 Relationship with the Tooling Module

The tooling module may be connected to cooling, cleaning, air blow, lubrication, and vacuum.

Review points include:

• Is tool cooling required?

• Is nozzle or mold cleaning required?

• Does air blow affect product quality?

• Are vacuum suction pads required?

• Is piping easy to disconnect during tool replacement?

7.6 Relationship with the Holding / Clamping Module

The holding / clamping module is closely connected to pneumatics, vacuum, and hydraulics.

Review points include:

• Is the pressure sufficient to create clamping force?

• Is vacuum holding stability secured?

• Is there a product drop risk when air pressure decreases?

• What happens to the clamp state when utilities are shut off?

• Do piping and tubes not interfere with clamp movement?

7.7 Relationship with the Control / Sensing Module

The control / sensing module must detect and control utility status.

Review points include:

• Is a pressure sensor required?

• Is a flow sensor required?

• Is a temperature sensor required?

• Does an alarm occur when a utility abnormality is detected?

• Are shutoff valves linked to control logic?

• Can utility status be checked on the HMI?

7.8 Relationship with the Hygienic / Cleanability Module

In food machinery, the utility module is strongly connected to the hygienic / cleanability module.

Review points include:

• Are cleaning water supply and drainage appropriate?

• Does residue not accumulate around drains?

• Is compressed air quality suitable for the product?

• Do steam and hot water not cause product contamination?

• Is lubrication piping not located above the product?

• Can the outside of piping be cleaned?

7.9 Relationship with the Safety / Guarding Module

Utilities are also connected to the safety / guarding module.

Review points include:

• Are pneumatics or hydraulics shut off when covers are opened?

• Is residual pressure safely discharged?

• Is high-temperature piping protected?

• Are electrical components protected from leakage?

• Do exhaust and drainage structures not harm operator safety?

• Is utility resupply prevented during maintenance?

7.10 Relationship with the Maintenance / Serviceability Module

The utility module is directly connected to maintainability.

Review points include:

• Can filters be replaced easily?

• Can pressure gauges and flow meters be seen easily?

• Can drains be discharged easily?

• Can piping leakage be inspected easily?

• Are shutoff valves accessible?

• Are utility labels and flow directions indicated?

8. Application in Food Machinery

In food machinery, the utility module is directly connected to hygiene, cleanability, safety, and product quality.

Important conditions for utility modules in food machinery include the following.

In food machinery, utilities can become contamination routes even if they do not directly process the product.
Compressed air discharge, cleaning water flow, drain location, lubrication piping, steam condensate, and cooling water leakage can all affect product quality and hygiene.

Therefore, the utility module in food machinery should be reviewed not as a simple facility connection, but as part of hygienic design and equipment reliability.

9. Common Design Mistakes

Common design mistakes in utility modules include the following.

9.1 Assuming Utilities Can Be Connected After Equipment Completion

If piping and cables are arranged after the mechanical structure is completed, routes may become long, interference may occur, and maintenance accessibility may become poor.

Utility routes should be designed together from the initial layout stage.

9.2 Checking Only Supply Source Capacity Without Checking End-Point Conditions

Even if the compressed air supply source has sufficient capacity, actual pressure at the cylinder may be insufficient if the end piping is long or narrow.

Utilities should be reviewed based on the actual point of use, not only the supply source.

9.3 Treating Drainage and Drains Lightly

In food machinery and cleaning equipment, poor drainage structures can cause standing water, odor, microorganisms, corrosion, and floor slipping problems.

Drainage is not an auxiliary structure.
It is a core element of equipment hygiene and safety.

9.4 Not Providing Maintenance Shutoff Structures

If the entire equipment must be stopped, or if maintenance must be performed in a hazardous condition when replacing filters or inspecting piping, maintainability is poor.

Shutoff valves, residual pressure release, drains, and detachable connections should be provided at required locations.

9.5 Routing Utility Piping Above Product Areas

If lubrication, cooling water, compressed air, or cleaning water piping passes above the product, leakage can lead to product contamination.

As much as possible, piping and components with contamination risk should not be placed above product areas.

9.6 Not Providing Status-Checking Devices

If there are no pressure gauges, flow meters, thermometers, or vacuum gauges, it is difficult to identify causes when problems occur.

Utility status should be displayed where operators and maintenance personnel can check it.

10. Design Checklist

The following questions can be used when designing a utility module.

10.1 Utility Requirement Review

• What utilities are required for the equipment?

• Which are required: power, pneumatics, vacuum, cooling water, cleaning water, steam, lubrication, exhaust, and drainage?

• What are the required pressure, flow rate, temperature, and capacity of each utility?

• Can the installation site supply those utilities?

• Should future expansion or optional equipment be considered?

10.2 Supply and Distribution Review

• Is the route from the supply source to the point of use clear?

• Are end-point pressure and flow rate sufficient?

• Are piping length and diameter appropriate?

• Are branch and manifold locations appropriate?

• Is there no interference with moving sections?

10.3 Shutoff and Safety Review

• Can utilities be safely shut off during maintenance?

• Can residual pressure and residual energy be removed?

• Can overpressure, overcurrent, leakage, and overheating be prevented?

• Are high-temperature piping and high-pressure piping protected?

• Is the relationship between emergency stop and utility shutoff clear?

10.4 Drainage and Exhaust Review

• Do cleaning water and waste liquid drain naturally?

• Is there no standing water around drains?

• Does the exhaust direction not affect operators or products?

• Can filters and dust collectors be inspected?

• Do drainage and exhaust structures not affect surrounding equipment?

10.5 Hygiene and Contamination Prevention Review

• Does utility piping avoid passing above product areas?

• Is there any possibility that compressed air, water, steam, or lubricants may affect the product?

• Does cleaning water flow not spread contamination?

• Can piping exteriors and connections be cleaned?

• Can product contamination be prevented if leakage occurs?

10.6 Maintainability and Status Check Review

• Can filters, valves, gauges, and sensors be inspected easily?

• Is utility status displayed to operators?

• Can leakage be inspected?

• Are piping and cables labeled?

• Are replacement parts and consumables easy to manage?

11. Summary

A utility module is a core function module that supplies, distributes, regulates, shuts off, and discharges compressed air, vacuum, power, water, cooling water, hot water, steam, lubricants, cleaning water, exhaust, drainage, waste discharge, auxiliary gases, and similar utilities required for equipment operation.

This module may consist of a power supply section, compressed air system, vacuum system, cooling water system, heating media system, cleaning water system, drainage system, lubrication system, exhaust / dust collection system, and auxiliary gas system.

A utility module is not simply a matter of connecting electricity, air, and water to equipment.
It is a design area that reviews pressure, flow rate, temperature, capacity, cleanliness, piping route, distribution method, shutoff structure, residual pressure removal, drainage, exhaust, leakage prevention, maintainability, safety, and hygiene together.

When designing this module, the required utility types, requirements at the point of use, end-point pressure and flow rate, piping and cable routes, shutoff and maintenance structures, leakage and condensation, safety, hygiene, and status monitoring must be reviewed comprehensively.

The utility module is also directly connected to the drive module, power transmission module, motion / positioning module, processing / working module, tooling module, holding / clamping module, control / sensing module, hygienic / cleanability module, safety / guarding module, and maintenance / serviceability module.

In food machinery, the utility module must be reviewed together with hygiene, cleanability, foreign matter prevention, drainability, compressed air quality, electrical component protection, and product contamination prevention.

Therefore, the utility module should be understood not as a simple facility connection element, but as a core design module that determines equipment operating stability, quality stability, hygiene, safety, maintainability, and productivity.