Nord Drivesystems : Press Releases
- Nord Drivesystems | 25-Jan-2012
Handling drive-related tasks without external controller
For functionally complex and dynamic drive applications, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS announces a new model from its SK 500E l...
Read Full Article - Nord Drivesystems | 20-Jan-2012
Gear units ensure smooth operation in waste water treatment facility
In water works and waste water treatment facilities, pumps often have to process great amount of liquid. High-perfo...
Read Full Article - Nord Drivesystems | 13-Oct-2011
Efficient drive solutions from NORD complement IE2 and IE3 motors
Integrated energy saving concepts from NORD: new motors with energy efficiency class IE2
Read Full Article - Nord Drivesystems | 14-Aug-2011
Distributed inverter range has increased options
NORD Drivesystems has added an external 24 V control input option to its entry level and low-cost SK2x0E motor moun...
Read Full Article - Nord Drivesystems | 26-Jul-2011
SK 500E inverter range suits lift modernisation applications
NORD Drivesystems versatile SK500E series frequency inverters feature a comprehensive selection of modular options ...
Read Full Article
Efficient drive technology
Much has been documented recently regarding the draft regulations that could see mandatory minimum efficiency standards for industrial electric motors being phased in from 2011-2017, which is great news for the industry and our planet.
(18-May-2009)
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Efficient drive technology
For a future-orientated energy budget
Abingdon – UK, May 2009: Much has been documented recently regarding the draft regulations that could see mandatory minimum efficiency standards for industrial electric motors being phased in from 2011-2017, which is great news for the industry and our planet. With continually increasing energy costs and the fact that motors account for 2/3 of industrial electricity consumption it makes sense for companies to reduce their operating costs in order to remain competitive. By upgrading your existing motors from EFF2 (IE1) to EFF1 (IE2) you will see an on-average increase in motor efficiency of between 1.5% and 7% depending on the kW rating. Whilst this can save you a significant amount on running costs, if you consider your complete drive system which may include a gearbox and variable speed drive, the potential exists to save much more.
NORD has long-since made energy efficiency a fundamental part of its company philosophy, continually developing the product range to deliver potential cost of running savings to our users remains our greatest challenge. This is not simply achieved with a single product, but by means of a holistic approach which includes the motor, gear system and drive electronics.
Energy-saving motors
NORD builds energy saving three-phase motors both with and without brakes for the international market. Our motors are available in EFF2 (IE1) and EFF1 (IE2) to IEC specifications, and for the North American market to Energy Policy Act (EPACT) specification. NORD energy-saving three-phase motors allow the reduction of operating costs and our own motor production guarantees that we are more independent from supply bottlenecks and can maintain reduced delivery times.
High Efficiency Gearboxes
Industrial gearbox designs with optimum meshing of gears, efficient gear profiles, the use of the latest manufacturing technology and techniques ensure that NORD helical and bevel gears reduce frictional losses to a minimum. An average of 98% efficiency per stage, so that the drive is practically loss-free!
All our gear units are produced in the Unicase format, which we first developed in 1981; this design principle ensures that meshing of the internal gears is perfect by having all the bearing journals machined in the same main housing. This results in a more efficient design but also added benefits like extended bearing life, low running noise, high output torque capacity and high axial and radial load capacity are also experienced. These lead to greater machine uptime due to reduced maintenance and longer life, essential for ongoing operational reliability.
High efficiency gearboxes in the form of inline helical, parallel helical, right angle helical bevel and right angle helical worm are available to suit input motor powers up to 200kW. The inline and parallel gearboxes are inherently efficient as they use helical gears throughout with typical efficiencies of 98% per stage, as is the case with the right angle helical bevel.
When right angle worm or helical worm gearboxes are used there is generally a huge potential for saving money on running costs. The worm gear design principle is inherently inefficient, but is very often used in industry to achieve a simple cheap to buy right angle drive. However with efficiency levels that can be as low as 32% (100:1) and at best 93% (5:1) they may not be cheap to run!
If your application needs ratios higher than 20:1 (on-average 72% efficient), then you should consider using a helical worm gearbox. Manufacturers such as ourselves select the worm reduction that is most efficient and then add a helical stage to achieve on-average 85% efficiency levels. Better still, change to a helical bevel unit where you will see efficiency levels on-average at 96%. Therefore you can see right angle drives utilising helical bevel gears can, on average, save in excess of 40% on running costs when compared to traditional worm gear drives.
In addition to specifying the gearbox type you should also consider the lubrication. If you specify synthetic oil then you will see longer periods between maintenance and the gearbox can be as much as 4% more efficient - a very short payback on initial outlay.
Frequency inverters - the economical components
It has long been known that by installing frequency inverters you can lower your running costs dramatically if you have a variable torque application, as is the case with many fans and pumps. Matching the speed to the application requirements is a sound principle, however if you match the speed but there are also varying loads then you could potentially achieve more savings.
Automatic flux optimisation
Innovative NORD frequency inverters from the SK 500E series now provide an energy-saving function when running three phase induction motors, especially under light loads. The standard three-phase motor requires a suitable flux to output its full torque. Normally, frequency inverters keep the flux constant over the whole speed range, i.e. under varying loads a high flux level is maintained at low speeds, causing additional heat loss in the motor. Nord frequency inverters automatically adjust the flux level to match the load and thereby as a result, reduce the motor current and losses in the motor. Especially with very light loads from 10 - 15%, energy savings of up to 30% can be achieved with this function.
The resulting motor current becomes considerably less with flux adjustment, resulting in the corresponding energy saving.
The energy-saving function is suitable for all applications; for example pumps, fans and horizontal conveyors where there are no special demands on the dynamics of the process.
For decentralized solutions NORD can supply the NORD SK200E IP66 compact drive, either directly installed on the motor or wall-mounted, and include full control and programming functions.
About NORD
NORD with its headquarters in Bargteheide, Germany and subsidiaries in 32 countries is a global company with an extensive range of products and services for electrical, mechanical and electronic drive technology. With a staff of approx. 2500, NORD produces, markets and supports drive technology (electric motors, gear motors and drive electronics) throughout the world. The design of user-specific drive solutions with its customers and their supervision from the planning phase right up to commissioning is what makes NORD a strong and dependable partner.
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