NORD Drivesystems supplies PROFINET modules for the integration of frequency inverters into PROFINET environments. In the second quarter of 2011, NORD introduced new modular units for cabinet-mounted SK 500E inverters while a version for distributed SK 200E-type inverters will follow in the fourth quarter.

At this year's Hannover Messe exhibition, a preview of a new line of two-stage helical bevel gear units, which consists of models in five different sizes with torques between 90 and 660 Nm, has been showcased at NORD Drivesystems' booth. All units feature a high-strength die-cast aluminum gearcase which is designed according to the proven UNICASE principle. Since the gearcase requires neither an inspection cover nor a screw-on input cover, the units are especially small and light-weight. This facilitates handling, and helps reduce energy consumption particularly in applications where drives are moved.

NORD Drivesystems extends its SK 500E series of compact frequency inverters for control cabinet installation, adding the top-of-the-line model SK 540E which features an integrated basic PLC functionality. Without the support of an external controller, the cost-effective inverter is able to control many demanding applications with sequences and links to counters, comparators and flags that are easily programmed in accordance with the industry standard IEC 61131-3 using the PC-based NordCon tool.

Facing a ceaseless stream of multi-ton loads, drives in portside gantry cranes are under constant pressure to perform. Users need and demand reliable solutions that deliver excellent dynamics, positioning precision, and cost efficiency in equal measure. Hoist and trolley drives used in shipyard or container terminal cranes therefore require specialized mechanics and electronics suitable for this demanding application area.

SMIL has chosen Nord Drivesystems geared motors for the new conveyor system at the Gardanne quarry operated by Durance Granulats, in the south of France. This will increase capacity by 25%, taking the weight of ore processed from 400,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes a year.

Nord Drivesystems provides drives and gears for the packaging, palleting and transport technology systems designed and installed by BMS Maschinenfabrik in the new factory of the Hacklberger Beverage company. Decentralised capability, high positioning accuracy and low energy consumption of the Nord Drivesystems solutions are key success factors for this new installation producing up to 36 000 bottles per hour.

NORD Drivesystems provides a technology box for integrating motor-mounted SK 200E inverters into EtherCAT networks and the Beckhoff control technology environment. The Ethernet-based fieldbus offers significant benefits particularly for distributed networks such as conveyor systems. The new EtherCAT box from NORD cost-efficiently connects a large number of inverters to a single bus line, since there is no need for repeaters or additional bus master interfaces.

More than 1000 Nord Drivesystems geared motors with decentralised inverters have been installed in Chronopost’s main European hub, to the south of Paris. They are a crucial component in the sorting centre which handles an average of 170,000 parcels a day, each needing to be identified and sent to the correct loading bay in less than 3 minutes.

With its broad spectrum of gearmotors and frequency inverters, NORD Drivesystems offers a large selection of drive components for the automotive production sector, where Profibus and Profinet are the industry standard for communication tasks. The Profibus versions of the SK 200E family of decentralised frequency inverters from NORD Drivesystems are now certified compliant with the Profibus DP standard. The SK 200E frequency inverter is mounted directly on the drive in place of the terminal box, with the combination of frequency inverter and gearmotor forming a complete drive unit.