Drive engineering company SEW-Eurodrive will supply ten of its new DRN IE3 premium efficiency motors from its DR series to the extension of the existing Meyerton Wastewater Treatment Works, south of Johannesburg, in Gauteng, at the end of next month.

The company will also supply six 45 kW motors and four 55 kW motors from its DRN series that will be installed onto the aerators at the treatment works.

The DRN motors meet premium efficiency requirements and are IE3-approved to IEC60034-30-1.

SEW-Eurodrive head of projects Rudi Swanepoel tells Engineering News that SEW had to adhere to unique technical specifications for this project and, therefore, had to provide a customised solution using auxiliary equipment provided by SEW.

The DRN IE3 motors were officially launched at last year’s Electra Mining Africa exhibition. Swanepoel highlights that, since displaying the motor at the stand, there have been client enquires and market interest has been positive.

Additional product applications include logistics conveyor belts of all sizes, lifting applications, applications that require control accuracy, positioning tasks with integrated or mounted encoders and applications that require a mechanical fail-safe brake.

The company adds that the supply of the ten motors has been its first order since the launch and that it is proud to supply a complete SEW package because, previously, its components were offered separately. Additionally, the SEW warranty enables clients to contact the company directly for customer service.

Owing to this being the company’s first order, SEW had to import the motors. However, SEW will have a local stockholding this year, allowing for the supply of its products off the shelf.

SEW motors are ideal for this project, as being IE3-approved makes for compliance with a combination of energy efficiency regulations and laws, he notes.

Owing to the DR series being completely customisable, the new combination options of the DR motors with SEW BE brakes are no longer subject to the size of the motor. The motor series can be combined with two or three different SEW BE brake sizes.

Additionally, the DR motor series can be combined with the appropriate SEW BE brake to match its requirements for the braking torque or braking work.

Moreover, brakes mounted on motors larger than 90 frame size have an additional special feature. The brake is mounted on a friction plate, which only has to be attached to the end shield. Without opening the motor, the unit can now be removed and replaced – even with a larger or smaller brake.

The new built-in encoders in the modular DR motor series system are unique, Swanepoel says. Rather than an add-on encoder mounted to the fan guard of the nondrive end, the encoder can now be installed between the end shield and the fan, thereby avoiding any extra length created when encoders are mounted.