Electricity and Control May 2020

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Geared motors to extend Zest WEG range With over 40 years’ experience in the African market, Zest WEG will soon be adding the WEG WG20 geared motors to its extensive range of electric motors, components and systems. “Geared motors represent a natural extension to our market leading electric motor range,” says Zest WEG National Sales Executive Johan van Niekerk. “They will also pave the way for us to expand our contribution in a number of markets.” Geared motors are used in various sectors, including packaging, food and beverages, automotive, chemicals, materials handling and recycling. It is expected that the most popular size range in the geared motors to be offered will be up to about 22 kW, although the company will be able to provide non-stocked units up to 110 kW where required. “With our extensive footprint around South Africa and other countries on the continent, we are well positioned to provide this range to new and existing markets,” says van Niekerk. “Our geared motors will

Componentry will be sourced within the global WEG group, from Austria-based gear technology specialist Watt Drive, a leader in modular motor and gear systems. The company offers a complete range of combinable drive systems for production machines and industrial manufacturing plants. Zest WEG geared motor specialist, Cas de Jager says, “To ensure quick turnaround in our assembly process, we are locally warehousing a full range of gears, flanges, housings, shafts, bearings, oil seals and other components. This improves our time to market, enabling us to respond to customer orders in as little as a day or two, rather than the weeks it would take to import a complete product.” De Jager highlights that the assembly process will prioritise market demands for quick reaction and minimal production downtime. “Every application has a different requirement in terms of a geared motor’s specification, so each unit must be designed and assembled with that customer’s specific use in mind,” he says. “The gears specified are able to adapt the speed or torque of a motor to the needs of the application.” De Jager adds that the new Zest WEG assembly facility will support the local economy and promote the development of engineering skills in the local market. Specialised training related to the WEG WG20 range will be provided to Zest WEG employees through visits to the Watt Drive factory in Austria, which will also send technical experts to South Africa to share skills. Van Niekerk says, “This aligns with our established mission to invest continuously in engineering and other skills that our economy needs to thrive in the long-term.” De Jager emphasises a number of benefits that the geared motors bring to industry. One of the key improvements enabled by modern geared motors is a high level of efficiency. Research shows that only about 1.5% of mechanical efficiency is lost per gear stage – so a two- stage gear unit would be about 97% efficient. They are also very reliable, with a robustness and durability that makes them economical to maintain, especiallywhen constructed fromhighquality components. With many customers already using WEG motors in their production plants, the geared motors from Zest WEG could provide an immediate benefit.

all carry the benefit of the high levels of service and after-market support for which Zest WEG is well-known.” He expects the WEG WG20 range to be made available in South Africa from the third quarter of 2020. The geared motors will be locally assembled at a new assembly facility at Zest WEG’s Linbro Park headquarters in Gauteng, close to the company’s existing motor workshop. A considerable investment has been made in the new facility, including hydraulic presses and assembly tooling. It will also be able to leverage ancillary services from the company’s existing technical resources.

Parallel shaft gear units are particularly suited for conveyors.

Design of the WEG WG20 range allows for easy integration of the geared motors into almost any existing system.

WEG K geared units can also be equipped with a hollow shaft, output shaft, shrink disc, torque arm and mounting flange.

The WEG WG20 was the first geared motor range to be developed completely in-house at WEG.

The WEG gear units with two-stage designs feature a large ratio range, which makes them highly efficient.

12 Electricity + Control MAY 2020