When it comes to drive technology, SEW-EURODRIVE’s new MOVIMOT advanced drive unit displays the characteristics of a true all-rounder.
With a high overload capability, and options such as brakes and encoders, the drive units are suitable in a wide range of industries, from waste management to materials handling and manufacturing.
Already widely used in Australia, production of the MOVIMOT is set to ramp up to full-scale local assembly in 2024.
Francois Sieberhagen, SEW-EURODRIVE National Product Engineer – Product Management, emphasised the need for local support for in-demand products.
“MOVIMOT advanced will be fully assembled here in Australia in 2024,” Sieberhagen said. “As well as transferring valuable skills to Australia, this approach has the advantage of shorter delivery times for our customers.
“It will enhance the high level of support that already exists around the country.”
MOVIMOT advanced covers a power range from 0.37 to 7.5kW with the ability to achieve the highest efficiency standards. The integration of an IE3 asynchronous motor or an energy-efficient IE5 synchronous motor means that the decentralised drive unit achieves the maximum system efficiency IES2 – widely regarded as the gold standard for energy efficiency of drive systems.
As part of the MOVI-C range, MOVIMOT advanced is compatible with SEW-EURODRIVE’s existing range of 7-series and 9-series gear motors, which means the mechanical interface to the customer’s machines remains identical. This allows users to make use of existing machine designs and install the drive units at new plants or retrofit to existing equipment.
Automation
MOVI-C is the name given to SEW-EURODRIVE’s latest modular automation portfolio. It consists of inverter, drive and control technology and engineering software.
The MOVI-C portfolio offers both control cabinet and decentralised technology. The new decentralised range consists of four product families: MOVIMOT advanced, MOVIMOT flexible, MOVIMOT performance and MOVIGEAR performance. All four use an identical decentralised inverter, regardless of whether it is installed close to the motor or integrated into an asynchronous or synchronous motor. Sieberhagen said this makes the user experience consistent throughout all product families.
When the decentralised version of MOVI-C is chosen, the control and inverter technology is installed in the field, mounted onto or within close proximity to the motor. Sieberhagen said this reduces the need for costly control cabinets, cabinet cooling and long motor cabling. It also improves electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), reduces the installation time and effort, and results in a more energy-efficient system due to less cable losses.
Once installed, the MOVIMOT advanced can be isolated for maintenance purposes, due to its optional integrated load disconnector. Sieberhagen said this maintenance switch can be used to disconnect the supply voltage from the decentralised inverter without the entire system being shut down. This allows users to conduct planned maintenance or replace the device while keeping their plant running as normal.
Safety
More businesses today take an integrated approach to safety. As a result, safety-related data needs to be transferred in a secure manner.
The entire MOVI-C decentralised family can optionally operate with a field bus system such as PROFINET, EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP. However, the newer approach to safety demands safety-oriented field buses, often referred to as ‘black channels’. MOVI-C offers the safe protocols Profisafe, CIP Safety, and FSoE as options for the transfer of safety-related data across networks. This eliminates the need for additional hard wiring.
MOVIMOT advanced is equipped with MOVILINK DDI as standard. Sieberhagen said this digital motor interface with electronic nameplate contains all drive data.
The MOVI-C controller and inverter platform also offers pre-programmed and ready-to-use MOVIKIT software modules. These are used for performing automation and motion control tasks, from positioning to robotics.
“The MOVIKIT software modules simply need to be configured using a graphical user interface,” said Sieberhagen. “So, there’s no requirement for programming by our customers. They achieve their goals much faster and save valuable time and money.”
With plentiful spare parts and fully trained staff already on hand at SEW-EURODRIVE’s service centres across the nation, quick turnaround times are the norm. The support includes 24/7 emergency breakdown assistance via the telephone hotline and a network of offices and service centres in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Mackay, Adelaide and Perth.