Mechatronic Drive System
A major automotive manufacturer in Gauteng has boosted its operational efficiency, safety and energy savings with the installation of SEW-Eurodrive’s advanced Movigear mechatronic drive system in its newly expanded buffering zone.
The project saw the delivery of 150 Movigear units, supplied to drive conveyors in a high density storage area. According to Willem Strydom, Electronics Business Development Manager at SEW-Eurodrive, the customer’s goal was to standardise equipment to simplify stockholding and maintenance, while meeting strict safety and performance requirements.
Decentralised functionality
These goals were met using just two variants of Movigear, avoiding the need for up to 30 conventional motor variants and significantly reducing inventory complexity.
Each unit integrates a servomotor, gearbox and electronics, offering decentralised functionality with onboard communication and safety features. The system eliminates the need for traditional control panels with all units linked to a compact PLC via hybrid cabling in a daisy-chain configuration – accelerating installation and lowering infrastructure costs.
Multiple sectors
SEW-Eurodrive worked closely with the original equipment manufacturer responsible for the conveyor installation, providing design input and onsite support during installation and commissioning.
The reliability of these units has already been proven across multiple industries, including food and beverage, and the units at this site have been running reliably since commissioning in January 2025.
Second phase
A second phase of the project introduced condition monitoring using Movigear’s digital data interface, enabling real-time tracking of performance variables such as vibration and temperature. This data is used to predict maintenance requirements, creating a digital twin of each unit to help prevent unexpected failures and extend equipment life.
With ultra-premium efficiency IE5 SEW electric motors, the system also delivers substantial energy savings – estimated at over 38% compared with conventional motors – while offering IP69K protection for demanding environments.
