ABB INC.

ABB introduces gearless conveyor drive for wider range of motors

On 06.02.2018, ABB announced that its innovative gearless conveyor drive is available for use on a wider range of conveyor systems. Already proven on larger motors, the newest drive is designed for medium power range motors (1 to 3 MW per motor) to make this technology economically feasible for a broader range of conveyor systems, including the use on mobile equipment in mining operations. The new solution can be applied for both greenfield and brownfield systems, and significantly decreases the cost threshold for gearless conveyor technology.

Fewer parts and new motor technology increase the reliability and efficiency of the overall conveyor system. A permanent magnet motor specifically designed for mining applications is a core element of this system that contributes to its reliability and ability to perform in the most challenging environments.

The gearless conveyor drive system eliminates the gearbox from the drive. This reduces the number of main wear parts, so less maintenance is needed, and lengthens the lifespan of the equipment. The expected lifespan for the drive train increases by more than 10 years when compared to traditional geared systems, to a projected in service life of 25 years.

Other advantages include a considerable reduction in the drive system’s footprint, so it can be installed in smaller spaces, less weight, and a reduction in the instrumentation required to operate the system. The gearless drive design is also more energy efficient, requiring less power, and operates more quietly, thus reducing noise emissions.

In July 2017, the pilot project of this solution was installed in collaboration with Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG (LEAG) in the open-pit lignite mine Jänschwalde, located close to Cottbus/Germany. The new gearless solution was installed on a high capacity (15000 t/h) discharge conveyor of a bucket chain excavator in parallel with the existing geared drive. Both drives connect to the same pulley shaft to allow for exact benchmarking. The gearless solution has performed better in regard to dynamic accuracy and overall efficiency than the existing traditional solution.

The operational data demonstrate the advantages of the gearless solution with less components. A gearless solution is more reliable (with a 50 % lower failure rate) and requires less maintenance. It is meeting eco design and energy performance requirements according to international standards to support the mine site’s environmental approvals or certification. The new drive also consumes 5 % less energy than the other installed drive.

//www.abb.com" target="_blank" >www.abb.com:www.abb.com

x

Related articles:

Issue 01/2011

Drive systems for Indonesia

ABB recently received an order to supply twelve drive systems for two grinding plants in Indonesia. The main contractor Loesche GmbH is managing the project. The drive systems will be installed in the...

more
Issue 12/2009

Gearless mill drive order

ABB has received an order for the first gearless mill drive (GMD) system ever to be installed in an Indian manufacturing plant. The order was placed at the end of October 2009, by the Indian cement...

more
Issue 12/2010

ABB: Gearless Mill Drive User Meeting in Las Vegas

From 13.-16.10.2010 ABB held its fourth global Gearless Mill Drive (GMD) User Meeting. The conference hosted over 150 participants coming from all five continents and took place in Las Vegas/USA from...

more
Issue 3/2017 CURRAX GMBH & CO. KG

Conveyor belt drives for raw material production – Integrated Drive System

The Hamburg-based drive specialist ­Currax is a full-service provider of the entire drive chain for conveyor belts in raw material production: Motors, gear units and couplings are combined to form an...

more
Issue 5/2015 SIEMENS

Rohrdorfer Group modernizes mill drive with Sinamics

By modernizing its gearless mill drive with the new Sinamics SL150 converter, cement manufacturer Rohrdorfer Group has increased the availability of its plant without the need to interrupt on-going...

more