Digitalization on everyone's lips

More software, connectivity, IT, more intelligence - digitalization is currently the defining topic as a basic requirement for the smart factory," outlines Joachim Hanke, Global Head Industry Sales Automotive + Intralogistics, at Lenze SE. Smart engineering plays a key role in this. By this, Hanke means the optimization of the engineering tool chain, so that information is automatically enriched through defined standardized interfaces without anyone having to do anything. "The information can be used throughout the entire process, from project planning to commissioning and operation. The drives must be prepared for this," says Joachim Hanke.

Focus on energy efficiency

"Digitalization as a basic prerequisite for the smart factory is currently the dominant topic." Joachim Hanke, Lenze

Joachim Hanke believes that energy efficiency plays an important role. "The intelligent control of logistics processes is the biggest lever here, and the correct dimensioning of the drivetrain is another. This alone would account for 75 percent of the potential savings." Hanke sees various levers for improving the energy balance. These include using components that are as efficient as possible, recovering unused energy and dynamically adapting the drive to the current order situation.

Lenze is consistently expanding its application-specific portfolio. The i950 servo inverter is new on the market. In combination with the new m850 synchronous motor and the new g700 planetary gearbox, the inverter becomes a highly efficient drive axis. "The power pack really comes into its own in positioning tasks, handling and assembly applications, robotics, packaging machines and conveyor drives," says Joachim Hanke. It is designed for machine tasks with medium dynamics, smooth running and high precision. The component is easy to implement, offers the necessary freedom of application and makes production processes more effective.

According to SEW-Eurodrive, the topic of digitalization is on everyone's lips. "Today, digitalization means a certain depth of networking. While systems and machines have previously communicated with a central control system, the trend is towards greater networking between participants and complex networks beyond the production hall," says Heiko Füller, Head of Market Management at SEW-Eurodrive. In this context, the digital interface is of central importance: according to Füller, if all participants are to communicate, this must be done via a standardized interface across all levels of the automation level. SEW is going its own way here. "In addition to the future integration of OPC-UA, we are also relying on the Movilink DDI fully digital motor-inverter interface that we developed ourselves. This networks the motors with the inverters. In addition to pure encoder data, it also offers a complete package of drive and sensor values at both the inverter and control level, as well as in cloud applications," explains Füller. This means that the customer always has full access to information about their application, regardless of the level at which they need it. "The intelligent networking of their components and systems with simultaneous access to all information enables customers to optimize their value chain."

"The digital interface is particularly important." Heiko Füller, SEW-Eurodrive

SEW-Eurodrive also attaches great importance to energy efficiency - and has corresponding solutions in its portfolio. Material handling systems are among the typical applications in which Movigear shows its strengths as a drive for horizontal and ascending movements. "Compared to standard geared motors, the mechatronic drive system delivers a significantly higher overload capacity of up to 3.5 times the nominal torque thanks to its permanently excited synchronous motor," explains Heiko Füller. This force is often required for starting in conveyor technology. As soon as the load is in motion, only the sliding friction needs to be overcome. Movigear also makes its contribution to saving energy in the clean room sector. "Due to the high system efficiency of the mechatronic units with correspondingly low heat losses, the drive is used with smooth contours and without a fan. This prevents turbulence and makes the drive easier to clean," says Füller. Movigear has a wide range of applications. One and the same motor runs at different speeds in material flow systems. This allows the system to respond effectively to fluctuating productivity figures.

Complete drive system for light loads

With the new ECDriveS product, SEW-Eurodrive offers users a complete drive system for light-load conveyor technology from a single source. It is used for zero pressure accumulation conveying as well as for positioning conveyed goods. "The system is based on simple and efficient drives for roller conveyors for carton or container transport and is characterized by a favorable price-performance ratio," explains Heiko Füller. The optimized gear design ensures a long service life even at high loads. The electronic motor has an overload capacity of 250 percent at 40 watts of effective continuous power. Another advantage according to Heiko Füller: "It is easy to connect, simple to commission and easy to handle."