Drive component manufacturer SEW-EURODRIVE’s Gqeberha branch, in the Eastern Cape, is in the process of delivering drive systems that form part of a major project to an automotive machine builder, also in Gqeberha.

These drive systems are part of an order the machine builder is supplying to its client – an automotive manufacturer in Mexico – which entails fit-for-purpose drive systems for the electro-coating facility of the manufacturer.

The drive systems will, once commissioned, transport vehicle chassis stacks through a series of pretreatment and electro-coating processes, where the vehicle chassis are primed, coated and then cured in an oven.

“The first system is being installed and tested, and will be commissioned soon,” says SEW-EURODRIVE Gqeberha mechatronics engineer Francois Sieberhagen.

He adds that each system consists of a complete solution comprising motion controllers, frequency inverters, fieldbus interfaces and geared motors, all of which are manufactured by SEW-EURODRIVE.

The order entails the supply of 63 geared motors, ranging from 0.37 kW to 22 kW, which will be used in the various stages of the electro-coating and curing processes.

The drive system will control applications such as hoisting, travel drives, tilting drives, side shuttles and conveyors, as well as pitch and role capabilities.

Every system was individually sized and selected to meet the specific load and speed demands of every application, and to adhere to the cycle-time requirements of the automotive machine builder’s system.

“We have imported the parts for the drive systems from our principal in Bruchsal, Germany, which we are assembling and delivering to our client in batches,” Sieberhagen adds.

The order was secured in the last quarter of 2021, and delivery will be complete before the end of the year.

He enthuses that, owing to the company’s strategic positioning in Gqeberha, it is well equipped to cater to the automotive sector, which is prominent in the Eastern Cape.

“We have managed to hone our skills and design capabilities to suit the automotive sector, which constitutes a substantial market share for this branch in particular.”

Sieberhagen adds that the experience needed to correctly calculate, design, size and supply the fit-for-purpose drives components for the client stems from previous business in the sector, and from this client in particular.

“We have supplied many similar successful projects to our client, and this adds to the history of success for both parties.”

Sieberhagen concludes that SEW-EURODRIVE is a global market leader in the field of drive technology solutions, and is often the supplier of choice.