3rd Quarter 2013Electrical switching & drive systems & components
At the Parisian Le Bourget air show, Siemens, EADS and Diamond Aircraft showcased the next generation DA36 E-Star with a serial-hybrid electric drive. This drive concept enables quiet electric takeoff and a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of up to 25%. The second generation aircraft has proved that this technology is suitable for commercial use. The aircraft exhibited at the Le Bourget air show successfully completed a one-hour maiden flight in June. Thanks to the innovative integrated drivetrain from Siemens, it was possible to reduce the empty weight of the motor glider by 100 kg compared with its predecessor in 2011. This means the aircraft has a realistic capacity and range as expected from a commercial aircraft.
The propeller of the motor glider is electrically driven by a hybrid system consisting of an integrated drive system from Siemens and a generator that is powered by a small Austro Engine Wankel rotary engine. The DA36 E-Star 2’s drive system provides an output of 80 kW during takeoff and a continuous output of 65 kW. The electric motor weighs just 13 kg. At 5 kW/kg, its specific continuous output is twice that of the first prototype and about five times greater than that of a typical industrial electric motor. The power electronics and gearbox are integrated into the electric motor. For takeoff and climbing, additional energy is drawn from a battery which is recharged during cruising.
“The technology is scalable and will soon be making its way into small aircraft and in the future, commercial aircraft with 50 to 100 passengers,” said Ralf-Michael Franke, CEO of Siemens Drive Technologies division.
Process control system for the entire plant lifecycle Siemens South Africa
Editor's Choice
The automation of process plants has been characterised by IT silos for a long time. The high level of IT security required was achieved through strict isolation from the outside world. However, this made unlocking the opportunities for digitalisation very difficult. This is a compelling reason to opt for Simatic PCS neo – Siemens’s completely web-based process control system with state-of-the-art IT security concepts.
Read more...Understanding standby, prime and continuous gensets WEG Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The increasing reliance of South African businesses on generator sets to mitigate power disruptions highlights a crucial need for proper selection based on specific operational demands. Despite their growing usage, there is still widespread confusion about how to choose the appropriate genset, often leading to inefficient and costly decisions.
Read more...PC-based control for advanced hydrogen storage technology Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The proportion of renewable energies from solar, wind and water is rising continuously. However, sufficient storage options are of the essence to use these energies as efficiently as possible. GKN Hydrogen offers a particularly compact and safe option, low-pressure metal hydride hydrogen storage systems with PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...Axiom reaches new heights Axiom Hydraulics
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
When Rula Bulk Handling could not source a cable tensioner large enough for a new cableway, the engineers knew they had to come up with an inventive solution. After discovering that no such tensioner was immediately available, Rula approached Axiom Hydraulics and ifm to assist with building their own.
Read more...Local range of planetary units SEW-EURODRIVE
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
s SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa actively extends its offerings to customers, the SEW PPK and SEW P2.e industrial gearbox ranges are good examples of solutions that are well suited to the local business environment.
Read more...At least 60 million strokes Horne Technologies
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Designing and constructing compact automation systems is one of the core activities of the Austrian machine manufacturer, STIWA. Its modular LTM-CI system has been optimised for small parts assembly. Linear and rotating micromotors from Faulhaber perform key tasks in these systems.
Read more...Innovative five-axis laser precession scanner
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Motion control specialist, Aerotech has launched the AGV5D, an innovative five-axis laser precession scanner specially developed for laser micromachining. This makes it possible to create high-precision bores, contoured slots and other complex geometries with dimensional tolerances in the sub-micrometre range.
Read more...Minetruck with electric drivetrain combines power and innovation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The new Minetruck MT66 S eDrive is the first of Epiroc’s large-capacity mine trucks to feature the latest generation electric drivetrain. Along with an upgraded and powerful diesel engine, the hauler combines the cost-effectiveness of a traditional mine truck with the productivity of an electric one, without requiring changes to a mine’s infrastructure.
Read more...Modular hydraulic control blocks for brake actuation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Electrohydraulic brake release valves are exposed to extreme loads, and can become uncontrollable in the event of a power failure. The experts at WEBER-HYDRAULIK GMBH have developed a practical, modular solution that ensures the safety of construction machinery, and is also suitable for a wide range of other vehicles with hydrostatic drive systems.
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