Motion Control & Drives


Innovative decentralised drive systems

December 2006 Motion Control & Drives

Drive engineering specialists, SEW Eurodrive, has for years been proving how compact and modular a decentralised system structure can be in a variety of applications. This has resulted in the development of the MOVIFIT unit that is suitable for horizontal as well as vertical materials handling applications in demanding fields such as the automotive industry, the food and beverage industry, and logistics.

The MOVIFIT is designed to be installed close to a motor in large plants where modularisation and standardisation of conveyor functions play an important role. The MOVIFIT allows easy access to its electronics, and is easily retrofitted onto existing motors. It is available in three versions offering flexible system design: the MOVIFIT MC is suitable for the control of up to three drives; the MOVIFIT SC is suitable for reverse starting or duo starting; and the MOVIFIT FC is a configurable inverter up to 4 kW.

All versions are equipped with standard functionality, including fieldbus and network connections; energy distribution; local I/Os and robust housing technology with a high degree of protection. For operation, system control and diagnostics MOVIFIT offers multilevel functionality. The 'Classic' function level offers simple PLC gateway functionality. The 'Technology' function level is based on the user programming to IEC 1131 with MOVIPLC for flexible and customer specific drive controls integrated into the system. The 'System' function level is based on a complete solution for data storage, configuration and diagnostics in a system using standardised conveyor functions. Additional safety functions are ensured by means of standard safety compliant option cards.

MOVIFIT's flexible installation technology provides more efficiency for component and system planning. The modular system enables electronics and connection units to be combined and configured to match the requirements of the application. The electronics unit is housed in an EBOX and comes equipped with communication interfaces, digital inputs and outputs as well as an optional power component such as a frequency inverter or an electronic motor controller. The EBOX's counterpart, the ABOX is a passive unit for connection. The simple and uniform closing mechanism of the EBOX and ABOX allows for a range of possible combinations as well as quick and easy installation allowing the MOVIFIT system to offer the function level and design requirements best suited to a particular application.

In addition to this MOVIFIT is not only modular and compact but also meets the demanding hygienic standards of the food and beverage industry, with an IP69K version which is protected by a special surface coating.

For more information contact Rene Rose, marketing manager, SEW Eurodrive, +27 (0) 11 248 7000, [email protected]



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Smarter motor technology for high-performance industrial automation
Adroit Technologies Motion Control & Drives
Adroit Technologies is bringing Mitsubishi Electric’s EM-A series permanent magnet motors to Africa, offering servo-like speed and position control at a lower cost by combining patented sensorless control with the FR-E800 inverter to eliminate encoders while achieving IE5 efficiency.

Read more...
A smarter approach to simplifying motion architecture
Motion Control & Drives
n motion system design, the wiring and drive placement between motor and drive are often decided by default, yet they shape a machine’s cost, footprint and adaptability. Kollmorgen sets out how single-cable and decentralised architectures simplify the cabinet.

Read more...
Robotic case packer achieves 99% uptime
Rockwell Automation Motion Control & Drives
DCC Automation designed a new robotic case packer for a nutrition supplement manufacturer using delta robots and a unified Rockwell Automation control platform, cutting changeover time from 45 minutes to 5 minutes, and achieving 99 to 99,5% uptime against the previous 10% per-shift downtime.

Read more...
igus puts 3D-printed wear materials to the test
igus Motion Control & Drives
A new igus white paper compares its tribological iglidur 3D-printing materials directly with conventional POM, reporting lower wear, more stable friction and up to ten times longer service life in gear testing for customised, low-volume and replacement components.

Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE’s expanded local engineering capability
SEW-EURODRIVE Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
At Electra Mining Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE demonstrated how its expanded local engineering capability, digital technologies and lifecycle support strategy help customers improve reliability, energy efficiency and total cost of ownership across the full life of their drive assets.

Read more...
Latest Danfoss automation drive
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG has launched the Danfoss iC7-Automation enclosed variable speed drive range in South Africa, backed by significant local stockholding of 400 V models up to 710 kW, approved warranty workshops, and DrivePro digital asset management support.

Read more...
Severe-duty workhorses powering mining
Motion Control & Drives
Mining machines such as rock crushers, pumps and conveyors need motors that combine high torque with robust enclosures, seals and cooling. WEG Africa explains how severe-duty motors deliver more than a decade of reliable performance in harsh conditions while meeting modern energy-efficiency standards.

Read more...
Looking beyond the spec sheet when choosing motion architecture
Motion Control & Drives
When machine builders focus only on torque, speed and price, engineering time, integration effort and long-term maintainability get overlooked. Kollmorgen explains how thinking at the system level, not the component level, leads to better motion architecture choices.

Read more...
Economy drive system closes the drive gap in the entry-level segment
Beckhoff Automation Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Beckhoff has launched an economy drive system pairing its new AX1000 servo drive and AM1000 servomotor with the AF1000 dual-axis variable frequency drive on a shared EtherCAT platform, targeting series machines and price-sensitive markets without sacrificing TwinCAT integration or functional safety.

Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE showcases modernisation and lifecycle support at Electra Mining Africa 2026
SEW-EURODRIVE Motion Control & Drives
At Electra Mining Africa 2026, SEW-EURODRIVE showed how it has expanded beyond equipment supply into integrated engineering solutions, plant modernisation and long-term lifecycle support for mining and industrial operators across Africa.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved