Displaying items by tag: Weg

Monday, 03 October 2022 11:58

Powering tomorrow’s hydraulic systems

~ Innovative frequency-controlled hydraulic system uses W22 from WEG ~

The global hydraulics market size is expected to reach USD 42.1 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 2.4 per cent. While hydraulics have traditionally been renowned for power, strength, durability and control, the need for more energy efficient systems is driving innovation in the sector. One such innovator is Oilmek AB, a Swedish developer and supplier of industrial hydraulics, who developed the Varius with bespoke features and crucially, higher energy-efficiency. To power this innovative system, Oilmek turned to motor and drives supplier WEG.

Based in Uddevalla, Sweden, Oilmek AB was founded by experts in fluids and hydraulics and prides itself on being incredibly knowledgeable in the field. Hydraulics systems are used in plants across the world, yet systems that deliver energy savings for individual customers’ needs are harder to find.

Like any other plant technology, hydraulics are key to companies’ obligations to operate more sustainably. That included Oilmek’s customer Renova, a company closely involved in recycling including producing paper consumption goods, which needed two complete hydraulic systems to make its large heating plant more energy efficient.

“Renova ‘owns’ the recycling industry in Gothenburg, Sweden,” explains Tomas Palm, sales leader at Oilmek AB, commenting on the company’s impressive status as a sustainability influencer. “Because the company is publicly owned, it faces extreme demands to be more environmentally friendly.”

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Renova turned to Oilmek’s innovative Varius frequency-controlled hydraulic system. The Varius’ streamlined design is based on a unique method for controlling hydraulic units with a programmable logic controller (PLC).

With the PLC, the frequency of the electric motor can be controlled more completely and accurately, according to the customer’s needs. The customer can get exactly the energy and control they need with a number of positive effects, including lower energy losses. The Varius system is shown to reduce energy consumption by 50 to 90 per cent in cylinder drives.

Longer lasting

Renova initially ordered two Varius hydraulic systems for use in its combustion heating plant. Aside from its bespoke capabilities, the customer wanted the Varius systems to operate for years ― if not decades ― with minimal maintenance, cost and shutdowns and maximum energy efficiency.

For this, Oilmek turned to WEG, its longstanding supplier of motors and drives. For the Varius, WEG had a specific motor in mind: the W22 three-phase induction motor.

“The W22 is relied-upon in a variety of industrial applications around the world,” explains Per Kulo, technical sales manager for WEG Scandinavia, and Oilmek’s main point of contact during the project. “The motor is also compatible with all available frequency inverters, which suited the Varius system.”

The W22 is designed for reduced noise and vibration levels, increased energy efficiency and a reduced carbon footprint. In addition, its lower energy consumption and reduced maintenance requirements give a lower total cost of ownership (TCO). The W22 is also coated in a thin layer of fire-retardant paint, which suited Renova’s requirements for a system with high fire safety.

“The W22 also allows downsizing,” adds Palm. “Big process motors are heavy, and standard motors in this particular application can weigh over 300 kilos a piece. Using the W22 from WEG, we’ve been able to lose 100 kilos of weight. The motor’s reduced noise and vibration levels are also helpful in hydraulic systems that can sometimes produce high frequency, high volume sounds.”

All about trust

Oilmek’s choice of supplier was about more than the features of its W22 motor. It was also down to a trusted partnership, as the two companies have been working together for more than seven years and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Oilmek needed a supplier it could trust to deliver the technology on-time, despite ongoing travel restrictions due to the pandemic.

“There has been a huge problem with deliveries,” says Kulo. “That’s why WEG’s warehouse in Mölnlycke, Sweden, an hour’s drive from Uddevalla, was a massive advantage. We received the motors within two-to-three days.”

Palm adds, “I wouldn’t think of having another supplier, because we wouldn’t have Per Kulo and his team’s exceptional support. WEG’s consultancy and problem-solving has been a great help to us on many projects.”

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Tomorrow’s technology

After reporting positive feedback, Renova repeated its order and now has four fully-operational Varius hydraulic systems in its combustion heating plant. Elsewhere, Oilmek has delivered more than 350 Varius systems since the technology was introduced, ten years ago. The W22 remains integral to powering these systems.

“This is tomorrow's technology,” says Palm. “It is how all hydraulic systems will look in the future, and we will continue to do this with WEG’s support.”

About WEG: Founded in 1961, WEG is a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical equipment for industrial sectors across all continents. With manufacturing units in 12 countries and present in more than 135 countries, the company has more than 33,000 employees worldwide with net revenue of over R$17.47 billion in 2020.

Offering energy efficient solutions across all sectors including water, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, among many others, WEG is constantly developing solutions to meet the major trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability and electric mobility.  For more information, visit www.weg.net

Published in Technology News
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Monday, 03 October 2022 11:15

WEG supplies for bespoke automated cart system

~ Supporting a farming firm to increase efficiency gains ~

The humble potato has been voted as the UK’s favourite vegetable, according to a new public poll. But do you know how they end up on your plate? Here’s how industrial motor manufacturer, WEG has partnered with Technidrive to provide equipment for an automated cart system for plant propagator, John Gabbie & Sons, to help produce over 52 million seeds a year.

Propagator firms germinate and grow plants until they are large enough to handle. These plants are then distributed to farmers, who grow and sell them to supermarkets.

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A propagator firm behind this process, John Gabbie & Sons based in County Down, Northern Ireland, has several glasshouses that germinate seeds into seedlings. These glasshouses are up to half an acre in size and split up into bays, which are up to ten metres wide and 16 metres long with walkways for forklifts and tractors to travel up and down on.

For plant distribution, an operator needs to drive a tractor or a forklift along the pathway to move bays of plants through the glasshouses. The plants are then physically carried to the end of the bay, boxed and then sent out to farmers. As with many traditional farming practices, this process is labour intensive

John Gabbie & Sons approached WEG’s premier distributor, Technidrive to develop an automated solution. Technidrive is an industrial drive provider, partnered with WEG supplying product lines such as variable speed drives, soft starters and energy efficient motors.

For this project, Technidrive called upon the support of WEG to supply two braked motors and a variable speed drive (VSD), with a braking resistor and safe torque off (STO), an emergency stop function. This equipment is essential for the design and safety of an automated cart system, helping to transporting product up and down the glasshouses securely, while also ensuring seed growth.

Equipment development

At the start of the project, John Gabbie & Sons did not have an exact design in mind. The main requirements of the equipment were to save on space, increase efficiency and importantly, remove as much physical labour as possible. As the company’s first automation venture, the project would include automating only one of their glasshouses, with a long-term view of fully automating all glasshouses.

Phase one of the project consists of an automated cart system that runs along railings in each walkway of the glasshouse. The cart also includes a sprayer that is mounted on the cart to feed the plants during cultivation.  

The cart being placed on railings removes the need for a walkway inside the glasshouses, which ran along the centre of the glasshouse. Instead, the cart carries a trolley to push onto the bay. Each bay is nine metres wide and carries several trays of plants, preventing an operator from needing a tractor, or a forklift, to reach the seedlings. Not only does this speed up the process, but it also allows the company to pack more product in the glasshouse.

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To make this feasible, Technidrive developed a control panel for the automated cart system. This includes joystick to drive and steer the cart, allowing an operator to control the motion of the cart when manoeuvring around the glasshouse. There are also switches on the panel for additional controls, such as lock in pins to stop the cart at a bay.

Importantly, the automation enables an operator to move a batch of plants from the middle of a bay, without the physical labour of carrying them. An operator can simply drive the cart along the railings, before using the lock in pins — that extend into the ground — to park the cart at the specified bay. The operator can then push the trolley, which is also nine metre wide, to lift the tray of seeds and put them onto the cart — either to move it to a different position in the glasshouse, or to prepare them for distribution.

Enhanced with automation

WEG’s braked motors ensure the cart is safely secured into position, halting the equipment. In fact, the associated VSD prevents the cart from sharp braking, ensuring that the machinery comes to a smooth two second stop, and doesn’t damage any seedlings or peripheral equipment in the process. 

“Technidrive has been working with WEG for years, so as soon as we knew the equipment requirements of the John Gabbie & Sons project, it was a case of getting in touch and sourcing the motors and variable speed drive,” explained Gary Kernaghan, automation manager at Technidrive.

“Phase one is now complete and the plant propagator is reaping the rewards of a more automated process.  The next phase is to ensure we implement this application to all the glasshouses at John Gabbie & Sons. However, the glasshouses are not all built parallel, and the ground isn’t level either, so each phase will require a slightly different process. We’ve already started to look at phase two in which we will need to drop the cart almost two metres, while also adjusting the angle to put it on another set of rails.

“The phase after that is to make this a fully automated system, meaning the operator selects the stock and the cart fetches it automatically. We will require the expertise of WEG before it’s all commissioned.”

Reflecting on the importance of WEG’s involvement in the project, Trevor Gabbie, farmer at John Gabbie & Sons explained, “Technidrive and WEG couldn’t be more helpful. WEG even rang me up to talk through the specifications of the motors, they’re dedicated in what they do, and we trust them to provide quality products.  

“Automating this process is highly valuable, because we sell over 52 million seeds a year to farmers. I’ve seen a similar application at other propagators but wanted to build it my own way to ensure it’s perfect for our glasshouses. From January to June, we sell seeds every single week in a demand driven market — and Technidrive and WEG’s solution will allow us to keep this momentum for years to come.”

Through the help of WEG and Technidrive, plant propagator firm John Gabbie & Sons can meet demand by germinating seeds into seedlings — be it for leeks, sprouts or, everyone’s favourite, the humble potato.

For more information on WEG’s motor supply for farming and agriculture projects, please visit www.weg.net

About WEG: Founded in 1961, WEG is a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical equipment for industrial sectors across all continents. With manufacturing units in 12 countries and present in more than 135 countries, the company has more than 33,000 employees worldwide with net revenue of over R$17.47 billion in 2020.

Offering energy efficient solutions across all sectors including water, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, among many others, WEG is constantly developing solutions to meet the major trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability and electric mobility. For more information, visit www.weg.net

Published in Food & Materials
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~ Can correct motor management cut costs in food and beverage production ~

With growing pressure on the food industry’s profit margins, companies must look to reduce manufacturing costs wherever possible. The food industry is incredibly energy intensive, accounting for around 30 per cent of global energy consumption and as a result, improving efficiency offers an opportunity to reduce costs. Here, Marek Lukaszczyk, European and Middle East marketing manager at the global manufacturer of electric motors, drives and gearboxes, WEG, explains how energy efficient motors and variable speed drives (VSDs) can help.

Increasing pressure is being placed on food and beverage companies to minimise wastage and improve resource use. Costs of raw materials, energy and labour are rising, while consumer demand for low prices increases, leading to intense competition and strict pricing pressure from retailers. Consequently, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain decent margins.

The food and beverage industry is also highly dependent on energy supply. Fluctuations in price and availability have the potential to cause major supply chain disruption — particularly due to price rises for carbon dioxide. Therefore, making food and drink production facilities as energy efficient as possible is essential to build a more resilient, futureproof business.

It makes sense, then, that many food manufacturers are looking for ways to improve the efficiency of their production. In fact, according to energy experts Centrica Solutions, 45 per cent of sustainable businesses are transforming energy data into actionable improvements.

Many of the most energy consuming processes in the food and beverage industry involve electric motors. Milling and centrifuging during sugar processing, grinding in flour production or even chilling frozen food products, are all driven by electric motors, and that’s just for starters.

Managing existing motors

The first step to improving energy efficiency in food manufacturing is taking stock of the status of existing motors. Food production relies on motors to power a whole host of processes, from conveyors and mixers to fans, pumps and refrigerators. However, many of the motors used in these applications could be oversized. Motors in applications like fans and pumps traditionally run at a partial load, using a valve, brake or throttle. However, this means that motors could be working harder than necessary, and by using mechanical speed control energy is wasted.

By choosing a motor of the appropriate size, or connecting a variable speed drive (VSD), food manufacturers can ensure motors are consuming only the necessary energy to power their equipment. VSDs enable motors to be run at a partial load more efficiently, as they directly control a motor’s speed and torque — the motor can be controlled to match demand, resulting in high energy efficiency even at different speeds.

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Invest for long-term gains

It's also important to consider the age and condition of motors within a production facility. Older motors may have been rewound numerous times within their lifecycle. Whilst motors can be rewound to their original efficiency levels, in many cases this is not achieved.

Plus, older motors that require rewinding are often significantly less energy efficient than the latest models, thanks to years of technical advancements. In fact, thanks to pressure on governments to meet environmental targets, all new electric motors in the EU and the UK must now meet stringent energy efficiency regulations, depending on motor type and application. For example, as of July 2021 all new three-phase motors, the kind typically used in many food and drink applications, must meet IE3 standards.

It can often be the case that choosing to rewind a motor, rather than purchase a new one, offers a short-term cost benefit, but will result in manufacturers paying significantly more in the long run due to higher energy consumption. In fact, the energy cost to run an electric motor over ten years is at least 30 times the original purchase price, meaning new, energy efficient motors may quickly provide a return on the initial investment.

Replacing oversized ageing motors with new, correctly sized ones in line with IE3 or IE4 efficiency standards, represents significant energy savings for food manufacturers, particularly when used in combination with a VSD. But, how can facility managers know when existing motors need replacing?

Smart sensors for motor monitoring

The retrofitting of smart sensors to existing motors allows plant managers access to real-time, continuous data on motor performance. These sensors can monitor parameters such as vibration or temperature and alert engineers of any deviation from optimal performance.

WEG’s Motor Scan® solution consists of a sensor, easily attached to the motor fin, which communicates data to the cloud and enables analysis through WEG’s fleet management products. WEG Motor Specialist relies on machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to diagnose, monitor and indicate the need for predictive maintenance in electric motors.

WEG Motor Scan autonomously sends alerts when motors are running sub-optimally, enabling engineers to take steps to either repair or replace the motor in question. This avoids energy wastage and unexpected downtime — especially important in the food and beverage industry where the uncontrolled shutdown of a mixer or chiller can result in the loss of entire product batches.

By implementing strategies to gain additional insight into motor efficiency, ensuring motors are the right size for the application, and replacing ageing models with new energy efficient motors, food and beverage manufacturers can make significant energy savings. A more efficient plant brings with it improved profit margins, increased resilience and agility, and enhanced environmental credentials. With benefits such as these, taking steps to improve energy performance of motors in food production is an obvious choice.

For more information on energy efficient motors and drives for the food and beverage industry, go to www.weg.net

About WEG: Founded in 1961, WEG is a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical equipment for industrial sectors across all continents. With manufacturing units in 12 countries and present in more than 135 countries, the company has more than 33,000 employees worldwide with net revenue of over R$17.47 billion in 2020.

Offering energy efficient solutions across all sectors including water, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, among many others, WEG is constantly developing solutions to meet the major trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability and electric mobility.  For more information, visit www.weg.net

Published in Food & Materials
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Wednesday, 29 June 2022 17:07

Digitalisation in hazardous industries

~ How digital solutions can reduce downtime and improve safety in hazardous environments ~

Industries operating in hazardous areas must consider standard safety practices and ensure all equipment meets the requirements for flammable or explosive atmospheres. Effective monitoring, predictive maintenance and rapid response to failure is crucial for engineers managing these assets. Here, Marek Lukaszczyk, European and Middle East marketing manager at global motor manufacturer WEG, discusses how digitalisation can reduce risk and improve efficiency in hazardous industries.

A hazardous area is any area with an atmosphere containing, or potentially containing, gases, vapours or dust which are flammable or explosive. Industries such as oil and gas, chemical production, fuel storage and even paper production are all classed as hazardous. These areas are rigorously analysed when installing equipment to minimise the risk to individuals and assets.

It’s crucial that equipment operating in these conditions are effectively monitored to pre-empt any issues before they occur. Unlike most industries, these issues not only result in downtime but present a significant safety risk.

Monitoring matters

Condition monitoring is integral in industrial operations to avoid downtime, to implement maintenance and to reduce the risk of failure. Remote condition monitoring has previously been limited in hazardous areas due to the lack of cost-effective and easy-to-install solutions — and the often-challenging environments in which this equipment exists. For example, equipment used in subsea applications or on offshore operations cannot be monitored as frequently or easily.

Using digital solutions can offer a viable and safe way to address the challenges involved with hazardous area monitoring, minimising the need for manual inspection and intervention. WEG Motion Fleet Management (MFM) is a robust digital solution for data collection and condition monitoring of industrial assets. Using cloud computing, operators can easily access the operational status of equipment including motors and drives in any industry or location.  MFM collects and processes data regularly both at the edge and in the cloud to generate important information on asset operation. Operators can use these insights to develop predictive maintenance plans and carry out condition-based maintenance.

Periodic data collection gives a more thorough overview of asset conditions, removing the need for maintenance teams to carry out observations and collect data manually. Having access to this data more frequently can allow maintenance teams to make informed decisions quickly and minimise unplanned stops. This is especially important in hazardous areas, where failure can result in loss of production. According to Kimberlite Oilfield Research, even a 1% increase in downtime can cost an oil and gas company up to $5.037 million. With a current average of 27 days of downtime on offshore platforms annually, this adds up to $38 million in financial losses, making it even more important to reduce the potential for error. Planning and carrying out repair operations may be time-consuming in hazardous areas and can require specialist resources or procedures which may not be immediately available, making effective monitoring even more advantageous.

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MFM works in combination with WEG Motor Scan and WEG Drive Scan — sensors which can be installed in assets to measure their vibration, temperature and running hours and to upload this data to the cloud via the WEG Motor Scan Gateway. All sensors in the plant can be connected and the data can be accessed remotely and in real-time, and users can configure tolerances to generate alerts in case of errors.

The platform also offers increased fleet visibility remotely, allowing engineers to monitor assets from anywhere in the world. This is key in hazardous areas, for example, in offshore oil and gas operations where assets may not be easily accessible. WEG MotorScan also has Inmetro, ATEX, IECEx and MASC hazardous area certifications Ex ia I Ma, Ex ia IIC T4 Ga and Ex ia IIIC T135°C Da.

These codes refer to the level of safety when installing the product in a hazardous area, and WEG Motor Scan is classed as intrinsically safe for Category 1 environments with a continuous risk of explosion due to the presence of gas or dust. This is due to its low power requirements and thus low temperature and minimal energy of sparks, reducing the chance of an explosion.

Digitalisation is increasingly present in industrial settings and is proving to be an invaluable addition to many operations. Using digital solutions in hazardous industries can not only improve efficiency and reduce downtime and maintenance costs, but can offer significant benefits in safety and risk mitigation.

For more information on WEG’s products and services, visit the website here.  

About WEG: Founded in 1961, WEG is a global electric-electronic equipment company, operating mainly in the capital goods sector with solutions in electric machines, automation and paints for several sectors, including infrastructure, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, among many others.

WEG stands out in innovation by constantly developing solutions to meet the major trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy and electric mobility. With manufacturing units in 12 countries and present in more than 135 countries, the company has more than 33,800 employees worldwide. WEG’s net revenue reached R$ 17.47 billion in 2020, 56% from external markets.  For more information, visit www.weg.net

Published in Mining
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Friday, 06 August 2021 15:30

Smart panels, smart energy

~ Electrical panel connectivity for renewable generation ~

According to industry experts, Spain will hit 68 per cent renewable power generation by 2030. Here, Juan Montecelo, sales director of WEG Autrial, explains why electric panel connectivity in renewable power plants will play an important role in achieving this. Through a medley of software, sensors and controllers, bespoke panel design will ensure Spain has the correct technological foundation to reach its environmental goals.

The experts, namely Acciona, a Spanish conglomerate group dedicated to the development of renewable energy infrastructure, acknowledges the impending challenges of clean energy.  In the Flexibility Solutions for High-Renewable Energy Systems report, José Manuel Entrecenales, chairman and CEO of Acciona, stated, “the question is no longer whether clean technologies are going to be the cornerstone of the future energy system, but rather which flexibility options will back them, and how to address the operational and market challenges that will arise.”

Running alongside Spain’s sustainability mission is the nation’s aim to become industrial leaders in Europe. Connected Industry 4.0 (CI 4.0) was announced in 2014, an initiative to digitise and enhance Spain’s industrial sector. Since the announcement, the European Commission (EC) has allocated significant resources — with €97.5 million allocated to connected industry projects, €68 million set aside for IT companies and €10 million for innovative start-ups.

For the energy sector, technology investment is equally valuable. Increased connectivity in renewable power plants is proving vital to success, as evidenced by the more complex and connected panel design found in solar, wind and hydroelectric power plants. While cost has been, and will continue to be, a huge consideration, the increasing intricacy of the panels being manufactured for renewable generation over the last five years demonstrates there is more to the decision-making processes than cost alone.

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The additional requirements come down to the volatile and unpredictable nature of renewable energy resources. The industry has seen a shift from isolated, static panel design for fossil fuels, to connected panels that communicate with the rest of the installations in the facility, using software such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and sensors.

Where renewables are concerned, increased insight is not a luxury. Due to the volatile nature of renewables, constant monitoring of power generation is essential. Without it, operators risk overloading the grid and causing power outages.

Consider a wind farm as an example. Intelligent software could use historical data to estimate how often the farm will generate power consistently. While making completely accurate predictions is almost impossible — improved panel connectivity is enabling operators to monitor generation in real-time, allowing them to respond when energy output drops and keep power outages to a minimum.

This real-time connectivity will prove even more crucial as more of Spain’s consumption switches to renewable energy. If forecasts are correct and Spain reaches 68 per cent renewable generation by 2030, it will be a plant’s ability to respond to renewable volatility in real-time, that will be imperative to its success.

With smarter energy operations, Spain has an opportunity to implement dynamic panel design and reap the connectivity benefits of a smart grid. As renewable energy continues to increase, the call for increased flexibility in panel design will too.

Autrial offers this dynamism, with its complete offering of panel installation materials, such as pipe, fittings and junction boxes, alongside electronic parts including circuit breakers, digital controls and programmable controllers. To discuss your requirements for bespoke panel design, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

About WEG: Founded in 1961, WEG is a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical equipment for industrial sectors across all continents. With manufacturing units in 12 countries and present in more than 135 countries, the company has more than 33,000 employees worldwide with net revenue of over R$17.47 billion in 2020.
Offering energy efficient solutions across all sectors including water, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, among many others, WEG is constantly developing solutions to meet the major trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability and electric mobility.  For more information, visit www.weg.net

Published in Green Industry
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Global manufacturer of motors and drive technology, WEG, has launched two extended versions of the CFW500 series of variable speed drives (VSDs). The new models are available with an extended frame size and higher ingress protection (IP) rating and have been developed to comply with future energy efficiency regulations from the European Union (EU).

The CFW500 frequency inverter series has been produced to efficiency class IE2. The model has been developed to conform with the EU regulation Ecodesign Requirement (EU) 1781/2019, a legislation that is due to come into force on July 1, 2021. The directive has been created to improve the environmental performance of products by establishing minimum energy efficiency standards.

CFW500 seriesCFW500 seriesThe new VSDs from WEG ensure end users can meet the energy efficiency requirements of a modern factory. As part of the CFW500 series, the models can operate over a wide voltage range of 200 to 240 V, 380 to 480 V or 500 to 600 V. The models can also be deployed at ambient temperatures from -10°C to +40°C, making them an ideal option for demanding applications. 

WEG has also extended the CFW500 to frame size F, with a rated power range up to 55 kW. Frame size F is available for output currents of 77 A, 88 A and 105 A and can be used in the voltage range of 380 to 480 V. For users, the extended frame size allows for deployment in the 37 kW, 45 kW and 55 kW power range. The CFW500 models are therefore suitable for general mechanical engineering for conveying, turning, lifting, pumping and ventilation.

The new CFW500 IP66 in frame sizes A and B covers the motor power range from 250 W to 15 kW. Both frame sizes are available for various mains voltages.

“In light of the new regulations, more attention is being given to optimising energy in components of electrical drive technology,” explained Johannes Schwenger, head of product management low and medium voltage drive systems at WEG. “This is the first time the efficiency of VSDs have been regulated by law in Europe and during the development of these new CFW500 models, ensuring compliance was essential.

“With these new products, we are able to offer optimally matched motor and VSD packages that contribute to boosting system efficiency and energy efficiency — while also ensuring a good price-to-performance ratio.”

The CFW500 series also includes the integrated safety functions of Safe Torque Off (STO) and Safe Stop 1 (SS1). When activated, the function stops unintentional starting of machines and prevents uncontrolled stops, improving safety for plant employees. In fact, the CFW500 with safety functions fulfil the requirements for SIL 3 / PL e, according to IEC 61800-5-2, EN ISO 13849-1, EN 62061, IEC 61508 and IEC 60204-1.

As with the entire WEG CFW500 series, the new extensions to this range have been designed for quick installation and commissioning. Numerous plug-and-play plug-in modules make the CFW500 series ideal for for decentralised automation architectures, providing access to all commonly used field bus concepts, including Profibus DP, Profinet IO, Ethernet IP, DeviceNet, CANopen, and Modbus RTU.

More information on the CFW500 series can be found on the WEG website, along with a full range of the company’s variable speed drives. To discover out where to buy the CFW500 series, please click here to find your local distributor.

About WEG: Founded in 1961, WEG is a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical equipment for industrial sectors across all continents. With manufacturing units in 12 countries and present in more than 135 countries, the company has more than 31,000 employees worldwide with net revenue of over $11.9 billion in 2018.

Offering energy efficient solutions across all sectors including water, steel, pulp and paper, oil and gas, mining, among many others, WEG is constantly developing solutions to meet the major trends in energy efficiency, renewable energy, sustainability and electric mobility.  For more information, visit www.weg.net

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