Nord Drivesystems/Nord Gear

Conventional distributed servo solutions are complex and expensive but until now, users had no alternative when positioning tasks needed to be implemented in remote locations. The SK 200E frequency inverter series from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS provides an ideal, cost-efficient alternative. Designed for motor terminal box mounting, the units are available in sizes 1 to 4 with a performance range of 0.25 to 22 kW.

The works of Beckett and Brecht, Mozart and Wagner, and of course Goethe and Shakespeare are all performed on the stage of Theater Duisburg. After decades or even centuries, these plays, concerts and operas continue to fascinate the audience. The drive technology for the stage, however, had seen better days and therefore, the theater had new electrical equipment for backstage technology installed during the 2010/2011 season.

Distributed automation applications place wide-ranging demands on drive systems. Optimal solutions will, by necessity, be those that fulfil the functional and cost needs for a specific application. Available in a wide range of performance grades and with many upgrade options, SK 200E series frequency inverters from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS allow users to select customized solutions with features and costs that are tailored to their specific requirements.

The new two-stage helical bevel gear units from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS are designed as washdown versions that can be cleaned very easily – cleaning liquids wash off in all installation positions. Designed to withstand frequent intense and aggressive cleaning processes, they are equally suitable for use with acids and alkaline solutions. The gear unit housings, which are manufactured from die-cast aluminum, resist corrosion considerably better than steel models.

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS new NSD tupH sealed surface conversion system provides a versatile, cost effective and weight saving alternative to stainless steel gear case units for harsh environment and high hygiene drive applications. The ultra-robust finish employs a catalytic process that permanently bonds a base layer to the aluminium substrate. With no application of paint or other material, aluminium gear case surfaces are transformed with a durable protective finish that has a 6- to 7-fold increase in surface hardness.

It is reckoned that more than two thirds of the total energy spend for industrial automation is consumed by electric drive technology and that an individual electric motor’s energy consumption makes up about 98% of its total cost of ownership over its average life. From these factors it is clear that investment in efficient drive technology is essential. The IEC60034-30 standard, making the IE2 energy efficiency class mandatory throughout Europe for a large number of electric motors from June this year, will begin to ensure reduced energy consumption on a global scale.

NORD Drivesystems has added an external 24 V control input option to its entry level and low-cost SK2x0E motor mounted decentralised inverter. Previously only available on the higher specification SK2x5E series, which also includes standard features of input status LEDs, setpoint potentiometers and rectifier integrated brake control, the external control option allows the possibility for inverter parameter set-up without mains power, and control availability (including position interrogation) under power failure conditions where a backup supply can be used.

NORD Drivesystems versatile SK500E series frequency inverters feature a comprehensive selection of modular options and enhancements that can accommodate applications from simple speed control through to complex servo positioning.

Bargteheide – As a major supplier of large gear units, NORD Drivesystems offers high-performance industrial power transmission solutions for elevated torque and power ratings. With several years of experience across all industry sectors, NORD application experts help users to choose and adapt suitable drive systems.

NORD Drivesystems expertise in drive technologies for vertical markets is well demonstrated by its wide range of gearboxes, motors, frequency inverters and servo controls that are suited to and extensively used in iron & steel production and other metal processing industries. Such applications demand peak performance for 24/7 operation in harsh and often high temperature environments combined with low maintenance, long service life and the highest levels of drive system efficiency.

NORD Drivesystems provides a technology box for integrating motor-mounted SK 200E inverters into EtherCAT networks and the Beckhoff control technology environment. The Ethernet-based fieldbus offers significant benefits particularly for distributed networks such as conveyor systems. EtherCAT provides a high data throughput rate but eliminates the need for short lines associated with standard bus systems. Harnessing this high data throughput, the new EtherCAT box from NORD cost-efficiently connects a large number of inverters to a single bus line, since there is no need for repeaters or additional bus master interfaces.

As part of its comprehensive range of NORDBLOC industrial gear units for torque output from 60,000 to 200,000 Nm, NORD supplies complete modular sub-assemblies comprising UNICASE gearbox, motor and coupling with a broad and flexible range of options and accessories. Fully pre-assembled on torsionally rigid motor swing base or base frame mountings, the combined units require no complex alignment and are supplied fully tested.

Nord Drivesystems has developed a specialised surface treatment option for hollow drive shafts that resists the formation of fretting rust or friction corrosion - reducing wear and facilitating the easy removal of gear motors for gearbox and motor servicing or replacement.

Nord Drivesystems has expanded its range with a comprehensive portfolio of decentralised drives and related automation components. By eliminating traditional panel building and cabling requirements, the technology can radically simplify the construction of large conveyor applications in, for example, production lines, warehouse and logistics centres, or baggage handling lines. The resulting network-based automation provides a clear and logical plant structure that is simpler to plan, install, operate and maintain.

Nord Drivesystems has extended its family of high-integrity industrial gearbox units, adding a family of high-power models with maximum torque ratings up to 200000 Nm.

Nord Drivesystems has extended its range of integrated drive/motor/gearbox units with single-phase input versions. These ready-built automation blocks have become very popular with machinery and automation builders because of their space saving attributes and for the time savings they offer during equipment specification and system building. Typical applications include controlling pumps, fans or conveyors.

Nord Drivesystems has launched a variant of its Nordac SK500 family of frequency inverter drives incorporating sophisticated position control capabilities. Called Posicon, the new functionality supports closed-loop applications with sophisticated motion control features such as the ability to program relative or absolute positioning, synchronising, gearing and S-ramp movement profiles.

Helical-bevel gearboxes provide a speed reducer function that can deliver power transmission efficiencies of over 95% for machinery builders. This can be up to twice that of the worm style gears that are commonly used, providing major savings in energy consumption. Nord Drivesystems has now lowered the entry costs to this advanced reducer technology with a new range of two-stage helical-bevel gearboxes in lightweight diecast aluminium housings — providing considerable savings compared with established cast-iron products. In addition to energy savings, the highly efficient gearboxes allow automation builders to reduce costs by specifying smaller sizes of electric motor.