NORD DRIVESYSTEMS has extended its SK 200E family of decentralized drive solutions with a new size 4 inverter with a rated power output from 11 to 22 kW. The self-cooling inverters are available for motor-mounting or with a wall mounting kit. An IP55 housing provides protection from dust and water jets. The new models feature the comprehensive list of standard functions typical of the SK 200E family, including sensorless current vector control, an integrated brake chopper, a control module for an electromagnetic brake, and the safety function ‘Safe Torque Off’. User programming and operation of this distributed inverter range is with a choice of control boxes or via the free-of-charge NORDCON software. Common applications can be quickly selected via DIP switches.

While they have been designed with an eye on cost-sensitive applications, SK 200E inverters are not limited to basic functions but possess the same wide functional range as the well-established SK 500E control cabinet inverters. An analog input, for instance, allows for variable speed adjustment of an SK 200E pump drive, and, if a pressure or flow sensor is connected to the second analog input, the SK 200E can actively and autonomously control process values. During partial load operation, an integrated energy saving function kicks in, ensuring environment friendliness. The new size 4 is a practical extension to the SK 200E family, for example for locally transporting heavy loads in large conveyor systems. Power electronics integrated in the motor or mounted nearby can effect considerable savings by making long shielded motor cables, output filters, and chokes unnecessary. Distributed solutions by NORD and the optional functions in various inverter types can be explored at www.sk200e.de.

Company Background
A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs some 2,800 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amounted to EUR 337 mn in the 2010 business year. Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

For functionally complex and dynamic drive applications, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS announces a new model from its SK 500E line of control cabinet inverters. The new intelligent SK 540E inverter supports the convenient and free programming of drive-related functions according to IEC 61131. It has all the established features of the series but supports a wider range of drives than any of its sister models; in particular, it can control synchronous motors. It integrates a new universal encoder interface for energy recovery. SK 540E performs even sophisticated tasks without an external PLC, thus saving considerable costs. Pump drives, for instance, can be upgraded with monitoring functions and characteristic curve functions, enabling them to directly react to fluctuating flow rates. Thanks to its high-performance microprocessor, the new inverter model is also suitable for high-speed cutting processes in turning and milling. Just as the established models from the series, SK 540E provides the safety function Safe Torque Off as well as sensorless current vector control and an integrated brake chopper for regenerative operation, and it identifies the parameters of the connected motor automatically.

Company Background
A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs some 2,800 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amounted to EUR 337 mn in the 2010 business year. Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

NORD-sponsored racing team presents single-seater for Solar Challenge

Bargteheide – After many months of development and construction work, the Solar Energy Racers team has successfully tested its fully assembled vehicle under road conditions for the first time in mid-August in Uzwil, Switzerland. The vehicle's surface is covered with monocrystalline silicon cells with a 22% effi-ciency which generate energy for the motor. In a few weeks, the SER team will participate in the 2011 World Solar Challenge in Australia. NORD Drivesystems is one of the main sponsors. The World Solar Challenge is a long-distance race under extreme conditions for vehicles powered exclusively by solar energy. Starting on October 16th, 2011, it will head from Darwin, the northernmost city of the continent, to Adelaide on the Australian south coast, crossing about 3,000 kilometers of almost deserted outback. Backed by the Bühler Renewable Energy Association, the Solar Energy Racers are the only competing team not associated with a university.

The aerodynamically optimized vehicle is a single-seater with three wheels (two front wheels, one back wheel). It features a brushless wheel hub motor with 2 kW rated power and will run at an average speed of approx. 80 km/h. Three different team members will pilot the vehicle over the course of the long race. The Solar Energy Racers and their sponsor NORD Drivesystems not only share inventive talent and a fascination for technology, but also the ambition to take a top place in the race. Organizers, competitors and their supporters furthermore have the common goal to give spectacular demonstrations of new technological and eco-friendly concepts, thereby attracting increased interest for the potential of renewable energies.

Company Background

A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs more than 2,600 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amount to EUR 337 mn p.a. (2010). Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

Bargteheide – The inauguration of NORD’s new Australian subsidiary, NORD Drivesystems Pty. Ltd., will take place on 6 October 2011 in the presence of NORD founder G. A. Küchenmeister, Mark Alexander, Managing Director of NORD Drivesystems Australia, and Gernot Zarp, Head of International Sales at NORD. NORD Drivesystems Australia commenced operations in 2010 with the construction of an assembly hall in the Melbourne suburb of Derrimut and started manufacturing gearboxes and electric motors. Investments into an extension of the paint facility and a modern drying room followed at the beginning of 2011.

The plant has state-of-the-art facilities for geared motor manufacturing. The production and quality assurance processes comply with the standards of the German parent company. The Melbourne site also functions as a service center. NORD Drivesystems Australia maintains sales branches in two further port cities, Sydney and Brisbane. Regional sales managers serve all the States and Territories in Australia, and New Zealand. NORD Drivesystems Pty. Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the north German NORD Drivesystems, one of the leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD has 35 subsidiaries worldwide and a vast network of distributors who ensure fast availability and global service. NORD was founded in 1965 as a gear manufacturing company by G. A. Küchenmeister and G. Schlicht. Power electronics and electric motors later expanded the product range, so that today NORD is one of the few manufacturers that cover the complete spectrum of drive engineering. A unique selling point is that NORD is extremely flexible in offering and developing very fast customer-oriented services and solutions. NORD has been represented on the Australian continent since the mid-1990s. With the establishment of its own production facilities and the expansion of its sales and services, NORD fulfils the growing demand for intelligent and high-performance drive technology. NORD supplies motors conforming to the relevant Australian energy efficiency specification MEPS High Efficiency and frequency inverters with C-Tick certification.

Company Background

A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs more than 2,600 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amount to EUR 337 mn p.a. (2010). Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

Bargteheide – On May 13, 2011, NORD Drivesystems celebrated the 20th anni-versary of its manufacturing technology division Fertigungstechnik NORD in Gadebusch, Germany. The company also celebrated the opening of a new building extension, which has expanded the plant's total floor space to 11,000 m². Speakers at the event included NORD's founder G.A. Küchenmeister and Managing Director Jutta Humbert as well as Jürgen Seidel, Minister of Econom-ic Affairs of the federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Ulrich Howest, Mayor of Gadebusch.

Fertigungstechnik NORD now employs a staff of 199. Its growth story began with the production of gear housings on a 2,000 m² floor space. In later years, Gadebusch also became a manufacturing center for shafts and gear wheels, and the cold forming of worm gears. In 2009, the plant began manufacturing NORD's large-scale, modular industrial gear units which are equipped with a one-piece UNICASE housing even for maximum output torques of 229,000 Nm. The Gadebusch plant operates around the clock six days a week, and most production processes are fully automated. Moreover, NORD started the in-house training of junior employees at Gadebusch in 1995 – to this day, the plant is renowned in the region for its high proportion of apprentices.

Company Background
A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs some 2,600 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amount to EUR 337 mn p.a. (2010). Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

Bargteheide – NORD Drivesystems issues its new M7000 electric motor catalog, effective April 1st, 2011. At www.nord.com, the print version can be ordered and the electronic version is available for download. The catalog provides an overview of asynchronous low-voltage motors manufactured by NORD. It addresses in detail the implications of the switch to IE2. A brief reminder: efficiency requirements for electric motors are being introduced worldwide under the IEC Directive – the first round of regulations for the EU market comes into effect on June 16th, 2011, and for many applications, only motors that provide at least IE2 efficiency can be offered from this date.

The catalog lists the efficiency requirements in different markets and, organized by target regions, provides easy access to the choice of the right motor. It contains the technical data of NORD’s IE1 and IE2 motors along with a table comparing motor characteristics and type plate illustrations for complete clarity. IE2 motors from NORD Drivesystems provide at least the efficiency required by ErP 2009/125/EG V0640-2009. In implementing the new eco-design requirements, NORD has retained the motor sizes to a great extent, thereby facilitating replacements. Moreover, since the motors have a superior energy balance than IE1/standard motors, smaller units can be used in some applications. As in the past, the motors are suitable for 50 Hz and 60 Hz operation. NORD has also maintained the suitability for a wide voltage range, ensuring unproblematic operation worldwide.

Company Background

A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs some 2,600 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amount to EUR 337 mn p.a. (2010). Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

Bargteheide – NORD Drivesystems supplies technology boxes for the integration of frequency inverters into PROFINET environments. Modular units for cabinet-installed SK 500E inverters are available from the second quarter of 2011. In the fourth quarter of this year, a version for distributed SK 200E-type inverters will follow. The new PROFINET 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. The technology box supports real-time data transfer and features an integrated Ethernet switch, an integrated web server, and a PROFINET status display. Optionally, fiber optic lines are also supported.

The bus module can be mounted either directly on the inverter’s interface unit or separately from the inverter by means of an optional wall mounting kit. The PROFINET bus line is connected to the box via an RJ45 plug connector. Optionally, for distributed installation, the bus can be connected via an M12 circular connector. In addition, the decentralized box features eight integrated 24V inputs and two 24V outputs. Thanks to gateway functionality, a single PROFINET technology box can address up to four inverters. An integrated RS232/RS485 interface allows for on-the-spot access to the parameters of the connected bus module and inverters by means of the SK PAR manual control unit or via NORDCON PC software. The decentralized modules have a standard protection rating of IP55, and can be supplied for IP66 on request.

Company Background
A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs some 2,600 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amount to EUR 337 mn p.a. (2010). Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

Bargteheide – At this year's Hannover Messe exhibition, a preview of a new line of performance-optimized two-stage helical bevel gear units was showcased at NORD Drivesystems' booth. The new units are designed as washdown gear-boxes, i.e. cleaning liquids can easily wash off in all installation positions. For that purpose, all external surfaces have been designed with wide radii; there are no indentations or dead spaces. The gearboxes are particularly suited for use in conveyor technology and in the food industry. Further applications include hoists, storage facilities and overhead conveyor systems. As the installation measurements remain essentially the same, users can easily exchange old gear units for the new models. Additionally, the new models have greater power reserves than their predecessors and therefore allow for the use of smaller sizes in some applications. Moreover, the new gear units are suited for use with NORD’s complete range of motors, allowing customers to flexibly configure drive solutions.

The series consisting of models in five different sizes, with torques ranging from 90 to 660 Nm, is due on the market at the end of 2011. 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. The new gearboxes provide maximum operational safety, high output torques, high resistance to axial and radial loads and low-noise operation. They require minimal maintenance and have a long service life.

Company Background
A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs some 2,600 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amount to EUR 337 mn p.a. (2010 prelim. figure). Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

Bargteheide – According to preliminary figures, NORD Drivesystems has concluded the fiscal year 2010 with gross sales exceeding 337 million Euros, a record sum. After just one year of decreased sales during the global financial and economic crisis, the company is already back on track for success. The goal of surpassing the latest sales record (2008: 330 million Euros), which was set early on during the crisis, has been reached much earlier than expected. “We are back where we belong: on course for continued growth. First and foremost, this development is due to the fact that we increased global sales activities throughout 2009 despite the crisis. Another positive factor are our in-house process optimizations which were implemented in 2008 and 2009. Our manu-facturing facilities, which had been very productive before, are more highly efficient than ever, and we have also increased our production capacity. Thanks to that, we were able to fully satisfy the considerably increased demand in 2010”, concludes Jutta Humbert, Managing Director at NORD.

NORD anticipates a continued upturn in the field of intelligent drive electronics: due to several innovations that have been introduced lately or will be presented shortly, this portfolio segment offers users increasing flexibility and attracts considerable interest. One current innovation presented as a prototype at last year's SPS/IPC/Drives exhibition in Nuremberg is the cabinet-mounted frequen-cy inverter SK 540E, which is based on a new, high-performance microcontrol-ler platform and features more memory than previous models. The compact device provides an integrated PLC functionality for simple automation tasks or technology functions. NORD also has a positive outlook for the geared motor sector: the company not only provides products complying with the new IE2 directive, but also offers extensive consulting services which enable customers to establish the most cost-efficient solution during the project planning stage.

Company Background
A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs some 2,600 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amount to EUR 337 mn p.a. (2010 prelim. figure). Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

Bargteheide – 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. The PLC provides control for up to eight digital inputs, three digital outputs, two relays, two analog inputs and one analog output. If required, additional I/O extension modules may be added for increased machine control. The new inverter may be used for applications such as the integration of monitoring functions into pump drives, enabling them to autonomously react to flow rate fluctuations. All operating data can, of course, also be transferred to higher-level controls with the SK 540E featuring interfaces for all standard fieldbus systems. Even without an integrated PLC, SK 500E series inverters support a wide range of industrial applications through integrated functions including PID process control, a servo mode that ensures full torque at standstill, and absolute and relative positioning with the POSICON module. SK 500E inverters are available in seven sizes and cover motor ratings between 0.25 and 37 kW. The new SK 540E will shortly be available for performances up to 7.5 kW. Models from 11 to 37 kW are also under way.

Company Background
A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs some 2,600 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales amount to EUR 337 mn p.a. (2010 prelim. figure). Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.

Linz subsidiary has been a powerhouse for Southeast Europe for two decades

Bargteheide – NORD Drivesystems’ Austrian subsidiary celebrated its 25th birthday in October 2010, completing its first quarter century of success. The Linz branch has always held a prominent position in the NORD group. It is the base for a key geographic region and, supported by its own subsidiaries, coor-dinates the activities in the neighboring countries of the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as in a number of countries in Southeast Europe. The Austrian affiliate has thus been contributing to the growth of NORD as a whole for many years. From the start, NORD Austria’s extended catalog of responsibilities has been founded on the outstanding achievements of managing director Heinz Scherleitner’s team, that has been providing a textbook example for dedicated customer support. Even in the early years of the Austrian subsidiary, the North German headquarters handed responsibility for the MSV trade show in the Czech city of Brno to Linz, thus beginning a close-to-customer working strategy that quickly and enduringly cemented NORD’s prominent position in the region served by this major engineering event.

Just a few years before, NORD had invented the UNICASE gearbox design and developed a wide range of products based on this concept. This presented the growing number of customers in Austria and the region with a portfolio of superior products, firmly establishing NORD as technology leader with outstanding product quality. The period also marked the parent company’s move towards becoming a full-range supplier of drive technology when, in 1984, a frequency inverter factory was established in Aurich – providing NORD Austria with additional strong sales arguments. Continuing the proven close-to-customer strategy, NORD Austria set up its own subsidiaries. At the new sites, local employees were generally endowed with much responsibility. The strategy has been successful as the figures show. Heinz Scherleitner, who has been leading the Austrian subsidiary right from its foundation, initially sharing a single office with only a secretary, is now responsible for almost 80 employees and subsidiaries in seven countries in the region. As early as 1994 an affiliate was founded in the Czech Republic, followed by Slovakia in 1997, and Croatia just a year later. The Croatian NORD subsidiary is also responsible for Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. More recently established daughter companies, sales offices, and distributors represent NORD in Bulgaria, the Ukraine, Romania, and Slovenia. Along with the penetration of both the market and the region, the Linz factory has grown with the factory floor more than doubling in size to 1,800 m² when a new plant was inaugurated in 2000.

Company Background

A developer and manufacturer of drive technology, NORD Drivesystems employs some 2,500 people and is one of the world's leading suppliers of full-scale, comprehensive drive solutions. NORD's portfolio ranges from standard drives to customized solutions for demanding application requirements, e.g. based on energy-efficient or explosion-protected drives. Gross sales totaled EUR 264 mn in 2009. Founded in 1965, the company has grown to include 35 subsidiaries around the world today. NORD has established an extensive distribution and service network to ensure minimal lead times and provide customer-oriented services wherever needed on short notice. NORD’s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 200,000 Nm. The company also manufactures motors delivering outputs from .12 kW to 200 kW, and power electronics ranging from frequency inverters to servo controllers. NORD's inverter line-up features conventional models for installation in control cabinets as well as design types for fully integrated drive units in decentralized automation environments.