Driving the Future – the crucial role of drive technology in manufacturing
06/09/2021 norelem LTD
As demand continues to rise, manufacturing will need to rely on robust and reliable drive technology to power the future of the industry. Marcus Schneck, CEO of norelem, explains why engineers and plant managers must ensure that their drive technology is fit for purpose, as the manufacturing industry continues to evolve towards smarter, greener, and more efficient production.
The operation of industrial systems all around the world is dependent on drives and motors. A drive is responsible for harnessing and managing the electrical energy provided to a motor at its most basic level. Drive technologies provide process control and efficiency for systems such as fans, compressors, pumps, and conveyors found in industrial contexts all over the world by controlling torque and speed. The demand for efficient, effective drive technology is growing as automation becomes more prominent.
Operators stand to benefit from lower operational expenses and lower energy usage by optimising power transmission processes. With multiple systems and options available to the market, it's essential to specify the right type of equipment for increased accuracy and higher productivity.
Picking the right drive system
When considering the right drive system for an application, engineers must consider the key advantages that each technology provides:
Chain Drives – A chain drive is comprised of sprockets, sprocket disks and a roller chain, with some applications supplemented with tensioners and deflectors. This is the toughest and most durable system, and norelem’s chain drives are manufactured to the DIN / ISO 606 standard.
The teeth are milled and hardened, exactly aligning the groove with the tooth tip. This choice will greatly benefit engineers looking to implement a drive system featuring considerable power transmission over a short distance with low maintenance requirements. The alternative addition of stainless-steel chain wheels also makes this a common choice within the food industry.
Toothed Belt Drives – Featuring a toothed belt alongside two or more belt pulleys, there are multiple advantages to a toothed belt system. Toothed belts can run large forces with high acceleration while also ensuring exact positioning and guarantees constant speed.
When the system is correctly installed and tailored with the necessary components for its given purpose, toothed belts can be energy efficient, quiet and precise – allowing for high acceleration values if required. Due to this, the system lends itself well in mechanical engineering industries such as automotive and aerospace.
Gears, Racks and Bevel Gears – Gear drives are also common in mechanical engineering applications, allowing for customisable torques to be transmitted from one shaft to another all within a compact and simple design. Engineers can simply adjust torque or speed by exchanging individual gears, allowing for greater flexibility when required.
Similar to chain drives, gears are also low maintenance and can deliver high forces across short distances all within a slip-free, form-fitting design.
Worm Gears / Worm Gear Sets – The aptly named ‘worm’ refers to a shaft with one or more screw threads which is then connected to a worm wheel (helical toothed), forming the worm gear. The axis of the system is offset by 90°, allowing for large ratios to be translated into slow speeds.
With norelem’s worm gear sets capable of continuous operation at high speeds and torques, the system is naturally resilient due to its construction. However, it’s worth noting that because the drive is powered by both a rolling and sliding movement, the gear is not as efficient as the other drive options also available.
The benefits of installing the correct drive technology system
There are multiple benefits to drive technology that is fit for purpose – with each system offering unique capabilities tailored to specific applications.
For example, while the service life and low maintenance of chain and gear drives will better serve mechanical engineering industries, toothed belt drives will better suit applications demanding precision process control and high production rates.
Equally, the choice of stainless-steel components will better serve applications where hygiene is a higher priority, such as the medical or food manufacturing industries.
By selecting the correct system, engineers can choose a drive that’s fit for purpose and aids production efficiency. By integrating the correct system into the process, manufacturers will benefit from optimal power transmission, decreased wear and maintenance, increased system longevity and constant gear ratios.
In the long term, a finely tuned drive system will not only provide optimal efficiency performance but also reduce the energy needed to power the system. As a result, this will help to lower operational costs and even help companies reduce their carbon footprint, a strong consideration for manufacturers who must begin working towards the environmental targets laid out by governments around the world.
Integrating future technologies
Looking ahead, demand is expected to continue rising and with higher rates of production required from manufacturers, automating processes will prove to be critical in the years to come.
Drive technology is no longer just a purely mechanical process; norelem’s drive systems can be easily integrated alongside digital interfaces. With successful implementation, digital interfaces can provide added insight into performance, troubleshooting and bespoke efficiency solutions for each specific application.
This, in turn, opens a variety of possibilities to further improve drive technology systems. With sensors to detect early potential faults within the production line, companies can avoid unforeseen production stops due to preventable faults or errors. Less unscheduled downtime means deviations and emerging risks can be dealt with promptly without hindering manufacturing outputs.
While drive components are built to withstand extended usage, automated maintenance flags to ensure the system is regularly inspected will go a long way in increasing the system’s longevity.
Adding to this, by utilising and capturing data during production, manufacturers can better optimise their system to improve efficiency even further. This can be achieved by analysing key areas of inefficiency, such as modification, quality control and maintenance periods to better improve a drive system’s capabilities using data-led analysis.
Driving industries across the globe
Drive technology will continue to play an integral role in the years to come and engineers must ensure the system is fit for purpose. With an entire portfolio of drive system offerings, norelem offers advice and guidance for customers unsure of what system is best suited to their requirements. To view norelem’s range of drive components, engineers can find all relevant parts in norelem’s definitive catalogue, THE BIG GREEN BOOK.
For more about norelem, please visit www.norelem.co.uk.
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