Motion Control & Drives


Planetary gear units for high torque requirements

March 2025 Motion Control & Drives

Packing a compact design, along with high torque and low-speed outputs, the new SEW PPK and SEW P2.e planetary gear units from SEW-EURODRIVE offer new capabilities in continuous heavy duty applications where space is at a premium.

Speaking directly to SEW-EURODRIVE’s ‘close the loop’ strategy, the arrival of the SEW PPK and SEW P2.e planetary gear opens up a whole new world of possibilities, particularly in heavy duty, challenging operating conditions with high torque and low speed requirements.

Typical applications in the mining industry include crushers, apron feeders, clarifiers and thickeners. Other industrial applications range from screw presses and slewing gears to wood panel shredders, ring pan mixers and batch plants, amongst others.


Edwin Weyers, business development manager for Projects at SEW-EURODRIVE.

“The SEW PPK planetary gear units complement SEW-EURODRIVE’s product line in the torque load range under the proven P-series,” explains Jonathan McKey, national sales and marketing manager at SEW-EURODRIVE. Offering a torque range from 10 to 18 kNm, the SEW PPK covers a gear ratio range from 65 to 390:1. The ratio can be further reduced by adding a primary reducer before the planetary head, allowing for ratios up to 10 650:1 for a much lower speed capability.

Available with torque ratings from 2 to 124 kNm, the SEW P2.e range covers gear ratios from 15,2 to 332:1. While most planetary gearboxes have a three-stage design only, the SEW P2.e can also be supplied in a two-stage model. The SEW P2.e encompasses all the benefits of the SEW PPK, but goes a step further with a broader spectrum of diversity in its speed – up to 100 rpm – as well as in ratio and torque.

“The high strength, durable materials with advanced heat treatment allow the gear units to withstand extreme loads and resist wear, thus making light work of high-torque requirements,” says McKey. “In essence, these planetary gear systems produce high torque by distributing the load across several gears and using gear ratios to multiply the input torque. The efficient and compact design allows for high torque in a relatively small package.”

One of the major talking points is the exceptional thermal limit rating, which is made possible by the integrated fan in the motor interface. The fan aspirates air radially, accelerates it and generates a cooling stream of air with a high flow rate.

“The SEW P2.e is the only planetary gear unit on the market with an integrated fan coupled directly between the motor and the planetary head. Consequently, it boasts a large cooling area (two to four times larger than some of the competitor offerings in this size class) – a condition which is central to the high thermal limit rating. Despite its high power density, the SEW P2.e series therefore boasts a best-in-class thermal limit rating,” explains McKey.

Reduced weight is another major benefit of going the SEW P2.e route. With its lightweight gear unit design, the SEW P2.e is 24% lighter and 10% shorter in length compared with some of the same-sized units on the market.

Given its nearly century experience in developing and constructing gear units for numerous customer applications, SEW-EURODRIVE has over the years amassed vast tribological expertise. Based on this and the results of long-term testing, the company has developed a special formulation for its premium gear unit lubricants.

“By using our premium gear unit lubricants, end users have peace of mind that their investments are protected, as a high level of resistance to ageing reduces wear and increases the service life. Customers can expect up to 50% longer service intervals and a long shelf life of up six years if they are using the special SEW-EURODRIVE approved lubricants and implementing appropriate maintenance conditions,” concludes McKey.

For more information contact SEW-EURODRIVE, +27 11 248 7000, [email protected], www.sew-eurodrive.co.za




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

World’s largest production capacity mine hoist
Motion Control & Drives
BB has been selected by global mining company BHP to deliver, install and commission three friction hoists and a further electrical system for a Blair service hoist to its Jansen Potash project in Canada.

Read more...
Innomotics showcases efficient motors and drives at Hannover Messe
Motion Control & Drives
Innomotics recently presented its innovations and solutions for a sustainable industry at Hannover Messe 2025. Highlights included a novel Active Vibration Control System, IE6 energy efficiency class motors, and new product partnerships.

Read more...
New torque sensors for fastening applications
Spero Sensors & Instrumentation Motion Control & Drives
Sensor Technology, a global leader in innovative torque and load measurement solutions, has launched its latest advancement in torque sensing technology.

Read more...
Versatile variable speed drive for efficient motor control
iTek Drives Motion Control & Drives
The Invertek Optidrive is a versatile variable speed drive designed for efficient motor control in various applications.

Read more...
Servo motor for demanding and dynamic applications
Festo South Africa Motion Control & Drives
The EMMT-AS servo motor is ideal for demanding and dynamic applications, and is known for its excellent controllability and path accuracy for precise positioning tasks.

Read more...
The future of motion control
SEW-EURODRIVE Motion Control & Drives
MOVI-C from SEW-EURODRIVE is a cutting-edge modular automation system integrating controllers, drives and software for seamless motion control.

Read more...
Affordable robotics and automation
igus Motion Control & Drives
Visitors should prioritise a visit to the igus South Africa stand, where some exciting and affordable innovations in robotics and automation will be on display.

Read more...
Hazardous area solutions
Extech Safety Systems Motion Control & Drives
SEW-EURODRIVE is revolutionising industrial automation with advanced gear units, decentralised drives and the energy-efficient MOVIGEAR system.

Read more...
Advancing industrial automation with cutting-edge drive technology
SEW-EURODRIVE Motion Control & Drives
SEW-EURODRIVE is revolutionising industrial automation with advanced gear units, decentralised drives and the energy-efficient MOVIGEAR system.

Read more...
Actuator with integral controller
SMC Corporation South Africa Motion Control & Drives
The new EQ series of slide-type and rod-type electric actuators from SMC feature a fully integrated controller, providing a simpler to set up, easier to use, space-saving solution that simultaneously helps users to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions.

Read more...