Electricity + Control December 2017

the planning stage and the actual operation itself. Further benefits include the long-term expansion options and optimal availability times, while the connection to higher-level communication or au- tomation interfaces is guaranteed at all times. The standardised control software results in even greater time-saving. Function modules Decentralised systems are based on the principle of modular and standardised design, whereby the components and functions are connected through defined interfaces, allowing for efficient communi- cation with each other. This creates ‘function mod- ules’ within a system or a machine, such as a con- veyor belt, a corner transfer unit, or a lift or palletiser. The drive technology does not use control cabinets, and instead it is mounted on the application. During the planning phase or the actual opera- tion, the cost-effectiveness of a particular system can only be measured against the initial invest- ment costs, which are ideally kept to a minimum. However, rising energy costs have pointed to the equal importance of lifecycle costing and the low- est total cost of ownership. In this regard, decen- tralised installation concepts can be used to op- timise large production plants, especially if these need to be expanded or upgraded. Profitable If a decentralised installation is planned and im- plemented effectively by means of modern and energy-efficient drive technology, the benefits of such an investment will have a long-term impact. Not only will operating costs be reduced, but ener- gy and maintenance costs will also be optimised. This means that the overall production costs will become increasingly profitable, which translates into a far more attractive ROI for both system de- signers and operators. No control cabinets In terms of decentralised drive systems, SEW-EU- RODRIVE South Africa offers a range of compo- nents that do not require control cabinets. All of these components comply with the three critical criteria for use in automated applications, namely modularity, flexibility, and economical. MOVIGEAR in particular combines a motor, gear unit, and elec- tronics in a single compact drive system, as well as optimising the technical and economic advantages

of all three of these components.This mechatronic drive system is ideal for horizontal materials-han- dling applications, setting a new benchmark for ef- ficiency and functionality. MOVIGEAR is available in two sizes, namely MGF.2 (200 Nm) and MGF.4 (400 Nm), and two mechanical designs, namely with a hollow shaft and key, or with the TorqLOC hollow shaft mounting system. Environmental awareness The development of modern drive technology has been influenced by the trend to save energy and thereby contribute to environmental awareness. The overall efficiency of drive technology plays a vital role in this. The MOVIGEAR mechatronic drive system achieves such a high total energy efficien- cy due to the optimised interfaces between the motor and the gear unit, a permanent magnet synchronous motors, high-efficiency gearings, and new electronic components and intelligent control modes. For example, motor efficiency is already in line with IE4 (Super Premium Efficiency) of the IEC 60034-T30 international standard. System environment In addition to high-end objectives such as ‘higher productivity’ or ‘cost reduction’, the system envi- ronment itself is becoming increasingly important in terms of the overall development of modern machines and systems. While compliance with normative limit values has served system opera- tors as a gauge for determining the environment impact, the creation of high-quality workplaces is also a key consideration. Here noise emission is important, with MOVIGEAR not having a fan, for example, as do conventional drives, where a con- siderable amount of noise is generated by the air swirls and vibrations of the fan guard. Class 2 cleanliness Energy-efficient drive solutions withMOVIGEAR are now also possible up to a Class 2 cleanliness level. This is due to the fact that the compact and easy-to-

The manufacturing and processing industries are two of the biggest energy consumers in the world.

Electricity + Control

DECEMBER 2017

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