Decentralisation drives inverter market
An
IMS Research product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jan 27, 2003
According to a recent European study, drives customers expect their use of decentralised drives to increase significantly over the next few years.
The uptake of motors with a built-in drive has to date been somewhat disappointing.
After initial optimism and excitement regarding this technology, concerns over the reliability and price have curtailed acceptance of integrated motor and drive products.
However, the trend towards decentralised control could provide a much-needed boost to motors with a built-in drive as well as IP65-rated drives situated near/next to the motor.
According to a recent European study developed by IMS Research, drives customers expect their use of decentralised drives to increase significantly over the next few years.
In fact approximately 40% of drives customers expect to be using a decentralised variable speed drive system within three years.
IMS Research believes that the decentralised drives placed near/next to the motor will experience even higher growth than motors with a built in drive, as they are able to overcome a number of disadvantages associated with the fully integrated approach.
Two of the key concerns with motors with a built-in drive are that if just the motor or the drive part fails then the complete unit must be replaced (which is a concern with customers even though many suppliers now offer drives that can be removed from the motor).
There is also a concern regarding the lifetime of the drive, due to heat and vibration from the motor.
The decentralised drive system is also able to offer a level of flexibility not available with motors with a built-in drive.
SEW Eurodrive is currently leading this trend, although a number of other companies including Lenze, Danfoss and Siemens have also released decentralised drives.
Industry Analyst Alex West comments that: "This trend is being driven by Europe and led by key players in the European drives market.
The US and Japanese markets are lagging behind".
The development of this new technology has greatly strengthened SEW Eurodrive's position in the market and they are now one of the top ten suppliers of motor drives in Europe.
However this is a market that is still dominated by ABB and Siemens who, combined, account for more than 35% of the market.
Although the current use of decentralised drives is limited, this new technology is forecast to have a tremendous impact on sectors such as the automotive industry and conveyor machinery, where with this product it will be possible to position the drives near the motors in easily accessible positions not available with motors with a built-in drive.
Other key benefits include reductions in cabling costs, lower maintenance, space saving (no control cabinet required) and easy installation and commissioning.
(This was Engineeringtalk's Top Story on 24 January 2003).
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