Originally published May 19, 2015. | July 7, 2015 update: Hear the followup podcast of Rich Mintz on how to right-size a drive system — as well as the new developments in material-handling applications that are driving the need for efficiency — here.
Recently, I got the chance to talk with Rich Mintz, senior market-development manager for the gear-motor segment of Siemens’ Process Industries and Drives division. I consider Rich an old friend in the industry, mostly because he’s a refreshingly honest source of technical information, and we’ve worked together on myriad editorial over the years to explain the basics of how to apply gears, gear motors, and drives.
These days, Rich focuses on ways to boost the design efficiencies of industrial motor-powered drivetrains.
To put this commentary in context, here is some background: Siemens employs some 343,000 employees at last count … and what was once the company’s industry sector is now two divisions – Digital Factory and Process Industries and Drives. Simogear is part of Process Industries and Drives, and according to Siemens representatives, Siemens’ realignment lets it focus on growth fields in electrification, automation and digitalization. As of October 1, 2014, the organization was streamlined by eliminating 16 sector levels and bundling the business into nine divisions.
This is from my contact Christine Baumann:
The company oriented its resource allocation toward these growth fields and announced concrete measures in this direction. The measures include the purchase of the major part of Rolls-Royce’s energy business and the contribution of Siemens’ Metals Technologies into a joint venture. In addition, Siemens is making its organization flatter and more customer-oriented. This is Siemens – Vision 2020.
During our conversation, Rich and I discuss how to get higher efficiency, where worm-gear motors still make sense, and what helical-set variations deliver higher ratios. Then we touch on recent and upcoming Department of Energy mandates that dictate the design and use of (NEMA) frame motors … especially those that relate to NEMA Standard MG1 Tables 1212. To listen to the exchange (and get more background on the designs from the gear-motor segment) click on the below:
Note that at about 3:00 into the interview, Rich mentions how on some helical-bevel SIMOGEAR gearmotors Siemens machines the motor-output pinion and shaft as one, and then press-fits it into the motor rotor. Here’s a video of that assembly:
By the way, stay tuned for a second installment from my conversation with Rich Mintz in a couple weeks. In the followup, Rich will describe a specific application example and some uses he’s seen of Simogear gear motors with integrated Sinamics G110M inverters.
July 7th Update: Followup podcast of Rich Mintz on right-sizing drives:
Case in point: Integrated drives for more efficiency
In an effort to make the move to efficient drivetrains easier, last year Siemens released Simogear gear motors with integrated Sinamics G110M inverters. The integrated drive system saves space, simplifies design, and boosts efficiency … particularly for conveyor applications.
More from Siemens on the Design World Network:
Siemens DRIVE-CLiQ Interface with Model 600 Encoder
Siemens Introduces Four-Week Lead Time on Generation II Simotics 1FK7 Servomotors
Educators Gain Access to Siemens PLM Software
Siemens Introduces Matched Motor/Drive Combination Package
Siemens Acquires Kineo CAM, Motion and Path Planning Software Company
Siemens Motor Management System features Profinet Interface
Three-week Lead Time Program for Siemens Servomotors
Siemens and thinkstep jointly Launch Material Management Software
Siemens Releases Parasolid v27.1 | Siemens Rolls out Tecnomatix 12
Siemens Releases NX 10 Software Siemens Forms Partnership to Help Customers Automate Engineer-to-Order Processes
Siemens DRIVE-CLiQ Interface With Model 600 Encoder | Siemens NX Helps University Design Better Soccer Players
Siemens expands its Sinamics V20 drive family for basic applications
Siemens debuts new motor-mounted drive with Profinet and EtherNet/IP communications
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