According to SEW-Eurodrive general manager for sales and engineering, Conrad Pilger, the company’s range of industrial gear units has been well received by the local coal industry, particularly among conveying, stacker reclaimer and cooling tower applications.
“Having achieved substantial success in the platinum industry between 2005 and 2010, we made the decision to move into coal. To date, the SEW-Eurodrive range of XP Series industrial planetary gear units and X Series helical and helical-bevel gear units have proven popular in two of the largest coal mines in South Africa,” he explains.
Pilger highlights the fact that the number of gear stages and individual gear ratios of the planetary gear units can be adapted to specific application flexibly, while a direct connection to a primary gear unit of SEW’s modular system is possible at any time.
With regards to the X Series helical and helical-bevel gear units, Pilger states that the robust range can be adjusted optimally to the task, due to finely stepped torque ratings. The universal modular system concept sets new standards with respect to availability and offers a broad range of options.
“The main area of application for the X Series is conveyor systems,” says Pilger. “In this context, the gear units perform a reliable service in driving conveyor belts and for transportation of the coal. They also run the travel and hoist drive on cranes.” He points out that the South African branch of SEW-Eurodrive boasts a dedicated engineering department that assists customers with the complete drive package and custom designed solutions. “SEW-Eurodrive compiles drive packages for the customer that include components such as; industrial gear units, motor, couplings, brakes and base plates. Customers benefit from the fact that they can obtain the complete and fully assembled drive package from a single source, while a large local stockholding allows for shorter delivery times and increased flexibility.”
Looking ahead, Pilger notes that he is optimistic about the future in the African coal sector. “Although labour unrest has severely impacted some mining sectors in South Africa, coal remains a lucrative market where we are only just beginning to scratch the surface. With this in mind, I am confident that we can expand our reach not only in South Africa, but also in developing markets that include Angola, Mozambique, Ghana, Zambia and the DRC.”
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