Motion Control & Drives


SEW-EURODRIVE prioritises ecology and economy

January 2025 Motion Control & Drives


Jonathan McKey, national sales and marketing manager at SEW-EURODRIVE.

Committed to environmental sustainability principles, SEW-EURODRIVE has developed the ECO2 design to offer drives with uncoated aluminium, with no compromise in their performance and durability. “Our markets are increasingly demanding eco-friendly products, and we responded with our sustainable coating-free drives and a responsible use of raw materials,” says Jonathan McKey, national sales and marketing manager at SEW-EURODRIVE. “Our ECO2 design allows customers to select the specifications they need, while meeting their goals in terms of both ecology and economy.”

No coatings or solvents are used on the outer surfaces of these drives, which also makes them more economical as a result of the cost-efficient manufacture and assembly. The components can also be recycled more efficiently and sustainably at the end of their lifecycle. McKey points out that the ECO2 option is suitable for applications where drives are operated in closed rooms, and where they are well protected from cold, heat and moisture.


“The metallic surfaces of ECO2 products are predominantly aluminium, and are not prone to corrosion under normal ambient conditions, which makes them especially durable,” he explains. “In fact, aluminium reacts with oxygen to form a particle, creating a thin protective layer in a dry neutral environment – protecting the outer surface from corrosion.”

This makes drives in the ECO2 design efficient and reliable in indoor spaces with a maximum humidity of 60%, where ambient temperatures can range between -20 and 60°C. Their durability is demonstrated by their ability to meet the requirements of ISO 12944 corrosivity category C1.

“Our manufacturing process for ECO2 drives is more energy-efficient as there is no need for the drying stages, and also no need for recoating after repairs,” he says. “With lower carbon dioxide emissions in production, there are fewer harmful greenhouse gases released thanks to having no coatings on these units.”

Among the many applications of ECO2 drives are cleaning systems, conveyor belts, and dispensing systems for powders and granules. McKey highlights that they are available in multiple designs and configurations.

“The available gear unit sizes include 07, 17 and 27 in helical gear units, 27 in parallel-shaft helical gear units, 19 and 29 in helical-bevel gear units, and a variety of SPIROPLAN right-angle gear unit sizes,” he says. “ECO2 drives are available with all additional electrical features, number of poles, power ratings, voltages and frequencies; the gear motors also hold all the relevant approvals and certifications.”


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Plastics improve machine performance and reliability
igus Motion Control & Drives
Engineered plastics from German polymer manufacturer, igus continue to revolutionise mechanical systems across various industries worldwide, with a pledge to ‘improve what moves’ by replacing moving steel components with polymer equivalents.

Read more...
Integrated solutions power the future of mining
ABB South Africa Motion Control & Drives
ABB has a diverse array of solutions that cater to multiple industry sectors, and especially mining. Mining companies across South Africa are embracing automation and control technologies.

Read more...
Keeping the ball rolling
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s Fluid Technology team has recently completed the design, supply and commissioning of an advanced lubrication system for a main bearing on a ball mill, which has been developed to optimise productivity and minimise maintenance requirements and downtime.

Read more...
Get your bearings right
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Motion Control & Drives
BMG’s Bearings Division offers a comprehensive range of bearings, which comprise ball, roller, and linear bearings ranging in size from miniature to extremely large units.

Read more...
A year of innovation and milestones for ISO-Reliability Partners
Motion Control & Drives
For ISO-Reliability Partners 2024 was a transformative year marked by innovation, collaboration and a steadfast commitment to advancing industrial reliability. Guided by CEO, Craig FitzGerald, the company has introduced cutting-edge technologies, expanded its product portfolio and strengthened its reputation as a leader in lubrication, filtration and tribology.

Read more...
The impact of gearless mill drive technology on CO2 emissions
ABB South Africa Motion Control & Drives
ABB has released an in-depth white paper detailing the vital role that gearless grinding technologies can play in driving productivity in mining while simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint.

Read more...
Global geared motors market
Motion Control & Drives
The global geared motors market experienced significant growth from 2021 to 2023, driven by market recovery following the pandemic in 2020, and high backlog levels in 2022.

Read more...
Innovative new products from maxon
DNH Tradeserve t/a DNH Technologies Motion Control & Drives
A series of innovative new products has been launched by maxon. These include a drive with a diameter of just 16 millimetres, a controller that can be easily integrated into even the tightest of spaces, and a robust and reliable robotic actuator.

Read more...
Effective dust control
Motion Control & Drives
BLT WORLD, in conjunction with the global ScrapeTec team, plays an important role throughout Africa by assisting companies, during conveyor handling, to manage dust emission and material spillage effectively.

Read more...
Revolutionising TIG welding for aerospace manufacturing
Yaskawa Southern Africa Motion Control & Drives
Yaskawa Southern Africa has partnered with Aerosud Aviation, a leading aerospace manufacturer, to implement a cutting-edge robotic TIG welding solution tailored to the exacting demands of aerospace production.

Read more...