Motion Control & Drives


SEW-Eurodrive boosts productivity at platinum mine

August 2017 Motion Control & Drives

A major drive to boost productivity at a platinum mine in Limpopo has resulted in drive engineering specialist SEW-Eurodrive supplying a number of complete drive systems with industrial gear units to the project.

The drive packs are specifically for three different conveyor systems, Rudi Swanepoel, head of projects at SEW-Eurodrive, explains that the first drive system has two 220 kW drives, while the remainder have three 360 kW and one 300 kW drive respectively.

The drive systems form part of the OEM’s X series, covering torque ranges from 6,8 to 475 kNm. The large quantity of predefined accessories available also allows for a great deal of flexibility in catering for diverse mining applications.

“A special requirement on this project was the extremely short delivery time, placing us under tremendous pressure to have the first drive system assembled and on the mine by the due delivery date,” explains Swanepoel.

The tight timeframe was due to the fact that the mine has specific shutdown periods for proactive maintenance requirements. In order to facilitate the schedule, the complete drive systems were assembled at the company’s Nelspruit facility and then transported directly to the mine.

The X series industrial gear units feature high and low-speed couplings, motors and base plates. These preassembled units represent significant cost-savings and reduced downtime, as the power pack is supplied with the input coupling shaft alignment already completed, a major benefit for the client in terms of rapid on-site installation and commissioning.

Swanepoel comments that this platinum-mine project represents a major coup for SEW-Eurodrive’s successful introduction of the X series: “It is quickly establishing a footprint, as they are the preferred industrial gear units that we are specifying in the mining industry at present. We also maintain a comprehensive stockholding, including critical spares, for full customer support and aftermarket backup.”

For more information contact SEW-Eurodrive, +27 (0)11 248 7000, [email protected], www.sew.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.

Read more...
Powerful high-precision hexapod
Motion Control & Drives
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.

Read more...
Servicing the electric motor sector
Motion Control & Drives
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.

Read more...
Control system for deep antenna
Rockwell Automation Motion Control & Drives
When a major university in South Korea set out to build a 21-metre deep space antenna, the researchers needed a control system that could track celestial objects with pinpoint accuracy, a level of precision they thought was out of reach. By partnering with Rockwell Automation, they discovered that the right technology and support could turn their vision into reality.

Read more...
Cable solution simplifies connectivity
SEW-EURODRIVE Enclosures, Cabling & Connectors
Cabling can be one of the most challenging aspects of automation and drive system installations, often leading to delays, faults and inefficiencies. SEW-EURODRIVE offers a solution that simplifies connectivity, its innovative Digital Data Interface technology combined with a single cable system.

Read more...
Manufacturers should go PFAS-Free
igus Motion Control & Drives
igus continues to develop engineered plastics that are free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS-free) in response to mounting evidence of severe environmental and health hazards caused by the chemicals.

Read more...
South African paper producer partners with ABB
Motion Control & Drives
Neopak, a leading manufacturer of containerboard and paper products, has renewed its partnership with global technology company, ABB to upgrade the existing automation system at its Rosslyn Paper Mill in Pretoria.

Read more...
ABB supplies electromagnetic stirrer to world’s largest electric arc furnace
Motion Control & Drives
ABB has secured an order from Çolakoglu Metalurji. for an ArcSave electromagnetic stirrer to be installed on one of the world’s largest electric arc furnaces (EAF)

Read more...
Compact, powerful and green mini-picker
Motion Control & Drives
SkyJacks has introduced Jekko’s Mini Picker to the southern African market. This is a compact, highly versatile and environmentally friendly electric mini-picker that is set to redefine lifting capabilities across multiple industries.

Read more...
Redefining industrial lifting
Motion Control & Drives
The Konecranes S-series hoist redefines industrial lifting through its integration of a ground-breaking synthetic rope with smart features, a lifting capacity of 20 tons, and the ability to adapt to diverse girder configurations.

Read more...