Electricity + Control November 2019

Product News DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR

BI now offers Varispeed drives As part of the broader Hudaco Group, Bearings International (BI) is in a position to leverage synergies across the range of group companies within the group, so it can offer a complete product basket across its extensive branch network countrywide. BI focuses on a number of core market sectors, including mining, agriculture, sugar, OEMs, steel manufacturing, FMCG, the automotive industry and cement, pulp & paper and chemicals, among others. Victor Strobel, Offer Marketing Manager at the company, describes BI as “a house of world-class leading brands”. Strobel says, “We are working closely with our suppliers and the larger Hudaco Group to unlock new opportunities and new markets, in South Africa and elsewhere on the continent. “From bearings to variable speed drives (VSDs), motors, gearboxes, sprockets and chains, BI offers solutions for a diverse range of customers, applications and industries.“ An example of BI’s diversification into ancillary products is the addition of electronic motor control solutions from Hudaco Group company, Varispeed, to its existing range. Varispeed has recently launched its VDrivePlus and AlphaDrive-Micro VSDs. The AlphaDrive-Micro VSD is a compact frequency inverter ranging from 0.2 kW to 5.5 kW, and available in 240 V and 400 V. Both the Varispeed VSDs offer a best performance-to-cost ratio, without compromising on quality and reliability. “In the current economic environment the market is very price-sensitive, so any energy efficiencies or cost savings we can offer are hugely beneficial,” Strobel notes.

Certified in accordance with the latest European standards and regulations, the AlphaDrive-Micro and Micro Plus are suited to most drive applications in the South African market, in mining, food and beverages, manufacturing and agriculture. The VDrivePlus is a much larger drive, ranging from 0.4 kW to 400 kW, and available in 240 V and 400 V. This more advanced VSD features advanced motor control based on DSP technology, together with ‘smart’ auto- tuning. Additional features include flexible inverter control, dual high-resolution analogue inputs, and free mappable I/O channels. The Varispeed VSDs can be supplemented

The Varispeed VDrive is a larger drive, ranging from 0.4 kW to 400 kW, available in 240 V and 400 V.

with the Bauer electric motor range from BI. This range of cast iron and aluminium motors meets customers’ needs across multiple applications – from 0.18 kW to 355 kW 400 V and 525/550 V – for pumps, conveyor belts, sanding machines, cooling towers, crushers and pedestal drilling machines, among others. A major advantage for end users, and one of the key selling features of the cast iron range, is that the feet are removable and interchangeable, making it a multi- mount motor. “BI is positioning itself as a total solutions provider – a single point of contact for all its customers’ needs,” says Strobel. For more information contact Bearings International (BI). Tel: +27 (0)11 899 0000, email: info@bearings.co.za