Electricity + Control November 2019

Product News

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR

Generation X.e industrial gear units in SA German drive engineering specialist SEW-EURODRIVE is bringing its Generation X.e industrial gear units to the South African market. This technology, first introduced at Hannover Messe in April 2019, represents the latest iteration of the company’s successful X Series, which is widely used globally in industries as diverse as mining, cement and sugar mills, and power generation. Raymond Obermeyer, Managing Director of SEW-EURODRIVE says the decision to introduce the latest series to the South African market responds to the overarching industry need for energy-efficiency and optimisation. Specific client requirements addressed by the new series include: maximum drive utilisation, in the event of continuous operation under specified conditions; peak load, in the case of an irregular travel profile, frequent start-up, or occasional blocking; temperature and environmental factors such as the permissible surface temperature, degree of protection, permissible noise level, accessibility, and serviceability; minimum service requirements; and extended service intervals. The new Generation X.e Series is particularly suited to harsh operating environments, as in mining and general industry. In such applications it offers savings in energy usage and reduced maintenance needs. Other advances in the design of the gear units include an improved bevel pinion housing, optimised bearing preload, a non-contact sealing system, a universal cover with a fan system, and optimised gearing topology. Obermeyer highlights that the main benefit of Generation X.e is in the customer focus it brings to the tried-and-tested X Series. This is evident in the enhanced hardware together with an entirely new computing suite, embracing simulation, which means that a standard product can be matched to specific modifications and settings for different clients’ requirements and operating conditions. Switchgear for offshore mining vessel The De Beers marine business unit recently embarked on a project to upgrade the power and propulsion system on its Gariep offshore mining vessel. The project will include modifications to the vessel to facilitate the physical and functional integration of new generating plant and a new electrically driven propulsion

This ‘smart’ combination of separate measures and networked software tools allows users to configure their own customised gear units. It means that all industrial drives supplied by SEW- EURODRIVE now have the potential for specific optimisation – a key factor considering the constraints, rising costs and tight margins faced by many industrial sectors globally. Generation X.e industrial gear units operate in a temperature range from -40°C up to 50°C and are available with a torque rating from 65 kN to 500 kN. All Generation X.e gear units for the African market will be assembled in Nelspruit in Mpumalanga. This guarantees a fast turnaround time and readily accessible parts support and service backup. “It is no longer enough merely to sell products to customers,” says Obermeyer. “We must look at customers’ holistic requirements and how best we can provide a complete solution – including our ancillary technologies and value-added services as well – to optimise all their processes.” For more information contact SEW-EURODRIVE. Visit: www.sew-eurodrive.co.za

The latest series of industrial gear units from SEW-EURODRIVE is de- signed to deliver energy efficiency and optimisation.

system. Additionally, the project will involve changes to support auxiliary, structural and control systems. JB Switchgear Solutions secured the contract for the low voltage primary switchboard. The scope of the contract includes manufacture, factory acceptance testing, delivery, installation and ‘C1’ commissioning of the switchboard. The marine-certified, 100 kA, 600V, 60 Hz switchboard includes 1 x 6 300 A, 5 x 5 000 A and 2 x 1 600 A air circuit breakers. It is fed from four diesel-powered generator sets and includes synchronising capabilities. Strict quality control procedures are in place at JB Switchgear and the manufacture and assembly of the switchboard will adhere to the applicable marine standard. JB Switchgear is a Level 3 B-BBEE supplier and ISO-9001 listed for its quality management system.

For more information contact Johan Basson at JB Switchgear Solutions.Tel: +27 (0)11 027 5804, email: info@jbswitchgear.co.za

JB Switchgear has produced similar switchboards for previous projects.

16 Electricity + Control

NOVEMBER 2019