Drive technology in intralogistics

2024 is not over yet, but we are already taking a look at the intralogistics trade fair LogiMat next year. What role does the trade fair play for SEW-Eurodrive as a drive specialist?

Energy savings and a shortage of skilled workers are also having a significant impact on the logistics sector. The degree of system automation is continuously increasing, while the networking of material flows and integrated data processing are increasing flexibility and reliability in logistics. SEW-Eurodrive makes it possible to implement modern logistics applications with products from the Movi-C modular automation system. It makes it possible to react flexibly to adaptations in the logistics industry. This applies, for example, to storage and retrieval machines, sorters, shuttle solutions and pallet lifters or conveyor and lifting modules. LogiMat is also the platform on which we present our solutions for mobile systems. These have been specially developed to make various tasks in logistics and production more efficient. They support order picking, material handling and inventory management and offer flexible and scalable automation solutions.

What trends in intralogistics are you observing in your market segment?

Production logistics and distribution logistics are systematically converging, the degree of plant automation and the need for data are continuously increasing. At the same time, energy requirements across the entire logistics chain are increasingly becoming a differentiating factor. Seamless data from the logistics chain already makes it possible to determine the energy consumption for individual flows of goods or individual parcel consignments. SEW-Eurodrive supports data acquisition and end-to-end networking of logistics modules using the Movilink-DDI digital data interface between the electromechanical drive unit and the inverter. The IE5 synchronous motors of the DR2C series achieve an efficiency of up to 91%. In combination with efficient gearboxes and intelligent frequency inverters, this results in energy-saving drive solutions.

To what extent will digitalization and automation bring intralogistics technologies and drive technology even closer together in the future?

From the start of planning to the commissioning phase and operation of the logistics systems, a lot of different data is generated. This data should be available to as many users as possible for different purposes and at any time in standardized formats, for example for system optimization or condition diagnostics. Even at the end of the system life cycle, the collected data is becoming increasingly important, for example for parts reuse or recycling processes. In addition to the hardware requirements, SEW-Eurodrive is also focusing on the software. The main aim here is to reduce commissioning times and simplify system monitoring. Automatic identification of the drive using the digital nameplate shortens the commissioning time. It enables the targeted provision of maintenance information and data for efficient recycling management of the components at the end of their service life.