2nd Quarter 2012Electrical switching & drive systems & components
In a fine example of international cooperation, Bosch Rexroth’s Belgium subsidiary participated in an ambitious 25 million euro project that saw the construction of one of the world’s biggest ring-lifting cranes. Not only did Bosch Rexroth supply the complete drive and control concept, as lead contractor it was also charged with project management, commissioning, testing and acceptance, as well as diagnosis and condition monitoring.
Built by a Belgian specialist in transporting and handling heavy loads, Big Benny, is almost twice as tall as its namesake, the famous London landmark. A pioneering technical innovation, the 5200 ton SGC-120 crane is able to position loads with millimetre precision in spite of its gigantic dimensions, thanks to six compact, secondary controlled winches with an operating speed of 22.4 m/s that can be positioned uniformly and precisely, and operated synchronously.
The enormous slewing gear of the SGC-120 is powered by 64 A2FM Bosch Rexroth hydraulic motors, and takes an entire hour to complete one revolution. At the same time, the hydraulic motors are synchronised via a secondary controlled drive system, incorporating HNC100-SEK and MAC-8 control electronics.
Six containerised power units, each with two 280 kW diesel engines and Bosch Rexroth A4VSO axial piston pumps, supply the necessary hydraulic power. The Bosch Rexroth IndraLogic PLC handles all the control and monitoring functions.
The SGC-crane features a 3200 ton lifting capacity and three boom lengths, ranging between 90 and 120 metres. The concept includes a hook that, with its deadweight of over 100 tons, weighs as much as a fully loaded Boeing 757. Setting new standards in lifting super heavyweight loads, the ring design, with an outside diameter of 40 metres, makes for stable and reliable operating parameters, while requiring only minimal preparation of the subsoil.
The entire ring-mounted lifter is of a modular design, enabling transport in 160 stackable, 40 foot containers. After four weeks of onsite assembly, the containers are filled with locally sourced material to serve as a 3600 ton counterweight.
The enormous slewing gear of the SGC-120 is powered by 64 A2FM Bosch Rexroth hydraulic motors.
The SGC-120 is ideal for heavy lifting applications at refineries, in the petrochemicals sector, when installing oil drilling rigs, and during power station construction.
Precise detection of complex rotational movements Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The EP3751-0260 EtherCAT Box module by Beckhoff connects an acceleration sensor with an inertial measurement unit - a gyroscope. This provides accurate detection of acceleration and rotational motion in addition to shock, vibration and tilt measurement, both as preprocessed values and as raw sensor data.
Read more...Energy management system for electrohydrostatic actuation systems
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
In the machine manufacturing industry, more drive systems are being converted from servo-hydraulic throttle to electrohydrostatic actuation systems. The four-quadrant capability of the electrohydrostatic pump unit and servo drive used in this technology, in combination with the new Moog energy management system, allows regenerative power flows generated during braking or pressure relief to be stored and reused.
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Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Hägglunds Drives South Africa recently completed a retrofit project on the bucket wheel of a stacker reclaimer at Richards Bay Coal Terminal. The project entailed replacing a gearbox drive solution with a direct drive solution from Hägglunds Drives SA.
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With well over 100 units already delivered, SEW-EURODRIVE is set to continue supplying Ivanhoe Mines’ prestigious Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Production downtime is one of the biggest risks in the manufacturing industry. Follow these seven tips to reduce machine downtime in your production line.
Read more...The time is now to implement a motor management strategy Schneider Electric South Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Motor management plays an all-important role in controlling motor energy costs in various industries, segments and applications. Research and practical experience have consistently shown that effective motor management practices can result in significant energy savings, reduced operational costs, and improved overall system reliability.
Read more...Rapid overhaul of compressor motors ACTOM
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Marthinusen & Coutts Zambia was requested by a smelter based in the Copperbelt to provide an in-country repair solution for its two critical 4,5 MW compressor motors. The company was given only three weeks in which to overhaul and commission the motors.
Read more...PC-based motion control on a labelling machine Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
For 50 years, Bausch+Ströbel in Germany has been developing packaging and production systems for the pharmaceutical industries. The company’s goal is to offer the best technical and economical solutions for the challenges of modern industry. Its new ESA1025 labelling machine shows how this is achieved with PC-based control from Beckhoff as the central motion controller.
Read more...Thrust for hybrid electric flying
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Several leading academic institutes in Germany are collaborating on the future of hybrid electric flying. The partners are researching an entirely new propulsion system for medium-range aircraft with up to 35 passengers.
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Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Aerotech has been supplying standard product solutions such as motors, drives, controls and positioning tables since 1970. Customised motion subsystems include positioning systems on granite structures with undercarriage and vibration isolation, and also external measurement systems.
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