Drive Technology Five New Solutions Bring Movement to Automation

Related Vendors

FAULHABER Drive Systems

Rockwell Automation

Siemens AG

Thomson Neff Industries GmbH

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

The latest innovations in drive technology: A cloud technology reduces energy consumption by 20%, an online tool simplifies the integration of encoders into stepper motors, and a motor starter optimizes control cabinet wiring. Additionally, a subsea actuator enables precise flow control in the deep sea.

AI-Supported Drive Optimization Saves Up To 20% Energy

Industrial companies are under increasing pressure to improve their energy efficiency and reduce their CO2 footprint. In industry, the drive train, consisting of frequency converters, motors, pumps, and other components, consumes particularly large amounts of energy. Drivetrain Analyzer Cloud, a solution from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, is now intended to help companies significantly reduce the energy consumption of their drive systems through energy-based maintenance.

The Connection Module IOT captures extensive data from the drive train and transmits it to Drivetrain Analyzer Cloud. There, relevant operating data such as load, electrical power consumption, and energy use of the drives are continuously calculated and displayed. Drivetrain Analyzer Cloud also supports targeted energy savings because advanced, AI-based analysis algorithms accurately detect deviations from the optimal operating point, monitor energy consumption, CO₂ emissions, and costs, and generate optimization suggestions. For these, even the ROI (Return on Investment) is calculated to allocate future investments as precisely and data-based as possible. This allows users to take targeted measures to increase energy efficiency, such as adjusting motor control, maintenance intervals, or load distribution. Moreover, Drivetrain Analyzer Cloud detects early when a motor is operating inefficiently and automatically recommends a more efficient alternative. Using Drivetrain Analyzer Cloud can reduce the energy consumption of drive systems by 10 to 20 percent. The cloud-based approach also allows insights to be utilized across locations and optimizes the efficiency of the entire production infrastructure.

Online Selection Tool for Stepper Motor Linear Drives Now with Encoder Option

Thomson Industries, a manufacturer of mechanical drive solutions, has upgraded its online tool for selecting stepper motor linear actuators (SMLA). Now, encoders can also be integrated directly into the planning process. This new option supports engineers and machine designers in planning and procurement by making it easier for them to evaluate how to integrate position feedback data into their solutions. The Thomson online tool automates the process of selecting and designing the optimal SMLA for specific technical requirements. In a few intuitive steps, planners can determine the motor size and the spindle and nut configurations—and now, with this upgrade, they can also specify the perfectly matching encoder. Encoder specification is carried out directly in the online session and includes details such as cycles per revolution (CPR), non-index or index feedback, as well as single-ended or differential outputs. As users make their selections, the tool dynamically updates the product specifications and shows in real-time the impact of each change on the dimensions and design of the drive assembly.

Smart Motor Starters Simplify Control Cabinet Wiring

Rockwell Automation introduces the electronic motor starter M100. These motor starters are designed to help industrial companies simplify control panel wiring and reduce the complexity of components and engineering with advanced solutions for functional safety and refined motor start functions. Rockwell's conventional motor starters provide a solid foundation for customizable motor control solutions, including starting, stopping, and protecting motors. Building on this foundation, the new electronic motor starter M100 can be seamlessly integrated into smart motor control configurations, enhancing productivity and minimizing downtime. This economical, space-saving option offers users a wide range of features to enhance performance for various applications.

Perfect Synergy for Maximum Performance

New highlights for complete drive technology solutions: With the new size of the SXR motors, the powerful motor of the new GXR family, the high-precision encoder, and the matching gearbox, Faulhaber presents coordinated products from a single source, all diameter-compliant with Ø 0.63 in. This combination aims to enable efficiency, dynamics, and precision in high-tech industries and for demanding applications in industrial automation, robotics, and medical technology.

The new 1627 GXR brushed motor with copper-graphite commutation offers flexible voltage variants from 4.5 V to 24 V and various bearing configurations. Additionally, the motor can be customized—from modifications to the front and rear shafts to options for use in vacuum or high-temperature environments. An optimized rotor balancing ensures smooth operation and contributes to the longevity of the motors. The hexagonally arranged winding with a high copper fill factor and an optimized straight section, along with high-quality magnets, ensure temperature stability and better overall performance.

These features are also present in the new size of the precious metal commutated SXR family—with the newly available 1627 SXR version complementing the already available 1218 and 1228 SXR. It offers a good power-to-volume ratio and is suitable for applications in the high-tech sector. All components of the SXR and GXR series are RoHS-compliant, and the electrical connections offer a variety of configuration options. Additionally, the GXR and SXR motors can be easily combined with the GPT family metal planetary gearboxes.

With state-of-the-art chip technology, the IEX3 and IEX3 L encoders offer high resolution and positional accuracy, typically reaching 0.3°. Equipped with a wide voltage range—both 3.3 V for battery-powered applications and 5 V are possible—and a temperature range from -40 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, the encoder is both flexible and robust. The IEX3 (L) is available with or without a line driver and is extremely compact and maintenance-friendly—perfect for combination with the new Faulhaber SXR and GXR motors.

Subsea Actuator Precisely Controls Flow On the Seabed

With the electromechanical subsea actuator SSEAC, Wittenstein Motion Control presents a solution for the actuation of choke valves and fittings in underwater installations. Designed for a lifespan of at least 25 years, the actuator regulates the stepless flow of gases and liquids at depths of up to 13,120 ft. Instead of using complex hydraulics as before, the SSEAC employs two redundant 24-V motors to drive the actuator's planetary gearbox for precise rotational adjustment of the valves. The subsea actuator can be used in offshore oil and gas production, in facilities for injecting CO₂ into the seabed, or in the generation, transport, and storage of green hydrogen at sea.

The major advantage, according to the provider, is that the previously standard hydraulic lines from the offshore platform to the seabed are no longer needed—which reduces not only investment and operating costs but also risks, such as leaks. As compact in size as hydraulic modules, the SSEAC can provide a torque of up to 1,990 lb-ft for adjusting the valve flaps, allowing for precise flow control through the rotational movements. This torque is achieved with a power consumption of less than 96 W. As a result, existing sensor lines can be used for the adjustment of the fittings.

The subsea actuator SSEAC is a joint development by Wittenstein Motion Control GmbH and Bosch Rexroth AG, a world-leading provider of drive and control technologies for machines and systems, including in the subsea sector.

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