Automation specialist SEW-EURODRIVE has introduced its AMS adapter, an upgrade of the company’s well-known AM adapter, into the South African market.

The AMS adapter, which enables SEW-EURODRIVE’s IEC motor to be integrated with an SEW-EURODRIVE gearbox, is now more compact, boasts longer bearing life and includes a drain hole for vertical installations.

SEW-EURODRIVE engineering head Andreas Meid tells Engineering News that engineers at SEW-EURODRIVE in Germany received mandates to improve the physical size, the life of the unit and the vertical arrangement, driven by customer requirements.

The easily interchangeable innovation is now being manufactured at a number of SEW-EURODRIVE’s plants globally and arrived on South African shores in mid-2022 – at the same price as the AM adapter – to a positive response from customers.

“The first improvement we have introduced with this AMS adapter is to make it more compact. Its smaller footprint allows users to install it more easily in areas where space is constrained,” he says, noting that the company had been able to reduce its dimensions by up to 25%.

The company, which continues to improve its gear units, geared motors and related products, also reviewed the bearing selection in the AMS adapter with the aim of optimising the bearing life relative to the operating temperatures amid a growing demand in the market for longer service intervals and more uptime.

SEW-EURODRIVE also considered the specific requirements of vertical installations, including a drain hole in the upgraded AMS adapter to ensure the easy and seamless exit of any liquid from the adapter.

Now, the included flinger transports the liquid to the through bores in the interme- diate flange, where it can drain out.

“This is important because it mean that liquid will not enter the bearings and gears, thereby ensuring that the components can achieve the longest possible operating life,” adds SEW-EURODRIVE exports head Marcio Sicchiero.

In addition, the range of frame sizes – 12 sizes offered from IEC 71 to IEC 280 – also makes it versatile across many industry applications.

“The AMS adapters, together with our gearboxes and high efficiency IEC motors, offer customers a full package that comes with a two-year extended warranty,” he continues.

The AMS adapter comes already assembled, reducing the time, cost and operational risk of assembling components on site.

Among the most common applications of the AMS adapter, motor and gearbox are in agitation and mixing activities in the mining and water sectors.