With ever increasing energy costs, it is important for both machine manufacturers and end-users that efficiency savings are sought in the whole drive chain, not just in the electric motors. This presentation provides an overview of where the savings in electricity cost can exceed 50%. The motor efficiency is important, but the gearbox can sometimes give even greater savings, illustrated by a lifetime cost analysis. How variable speed drives can help to reduce energy costs and when not to use them. Winning back the efficiency that is lost when an application runs at partial loads through the adjustment of magnetisation current. Three ways to reclaim braking energy instead of throwing it away into a brake resistor, and when to use them: energy exchange between drives, energy storage by capacitance, and energy recovery into the mains. Accurate sizing of the elements of the drive is critical to minimise energy losses. Here an illustration will show how selection software can optimise the efficiency and lifetime costs of a machine. This software is available free of charge to universities and on six months free trial to companies. |
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