NEWS

Launch of Japan's First Speed Reducers with Highly Efficient Motor

June 29, 2010

Sumitomo Heavy Industries (President: Yoshinobu Nakamura) will commence sale of speed reducers with a highly efficient motor (0.75 to 30 kW, four-pole) from July 1.

The problem of global warming is becoming serious, leading to an emphasis on the need for further action to conserve energy. Regulations regarding the efficiency of motors are being enhanced by international standards in a phased manner, primarily in Europe and the United States. Also some countries prohibit the sale of motors with an energy loss that exceeds 25%. Similar regulations are also currently being considered in Japan.

Speed reducers with a motor are used in a broad range of applications, such as the drive source for a variety of machinery in general industrial machinery, environmental machinery, water and sewer facilities, food processing machinery, amusement park machinery and welfare related equipment, to name a few. In the manufacturing industry in particular, about 70% or more of the electricity consumed in manufacturing plants is used to power motors. To increase the efficiency of the motor, which is the driving component, is an essential undertaking for reducing energy consumption.

The soon to be launched speed reducers with a highly efficient motor are the result of a thorough review of energy loss in the core section of motors. As a consequence, we succeeded in reducing energy losses by an average of about 10% in terms of power supply specifications, not only for Japan but for other countries around the world. We also reviewed the costs and were able to achieve a reduction in costs by an average of about 25% in the motor component. Highly efficient motors, unlike standard motors, require more initial investment. Since reductions to the running costs are likely through energy savings, it is possible to recover additional costs in a short period of time, depending on the usage conditions.

We intend to provide our new speed reducers with a highly efficient motor, which we recently developed in response to the needs of our customers, through the enhancement of sales in various industrial fields within and outside Japan.


Features
1. Cleared requirements for Class IE2 of the IEC-60034-30 standard of the International Electrotechnical Commission.
A performance that satisfies the regulations of countries around the world was achieved by clearing the efficiency standard for Class IE2 of IEC-60034-30, which is the global standard for high efficiency motors in the future.

2. Acquired high efficiency certification based on the Korean KS Standard.
The Korean Government is currently considering the implementation of a "Regulation for the Efficiency of Motors", ahead of Europe and other regions, where such enforcement is also being considered for the future. We were successful as the first motor manufacturer from Japan to acquire certification for this standard.

3. A massive reduction in price was implemented, with the aim of promoting popularization.
We were not only concerned about complying with regulations but we also aimed to popularize these products by implementing a massive reduction in price, in order to contribute towards the prevention of global warming in the future.


Example cost recovery for investment through lower running costs
(Example)
The difference in price between a standard 2.2 kW motor and a highly efficient motor: JPY11,000.
The difference in efficiency between a standard motor and a highly efficient motor: Approximately 4%, based on 10 hour of operation per day, operating for 300 days per year.
Calculated with a cost unit of JPY16 per 1 kWh, the recovery for higher investment costs can be completed in about two years, through lower running costs.


Equipment configuration
Motor output: 0.75 kW to 30 kW, four-pole.

Principal applications
Logistics and distribution machinery, environmental machinery, water and sewer facilities, general industrial machinery, food processing machinery, agricultural machinery, amusement park machinery, welfare related equipment, as well as other automation machinery, which use three-phase power sources.

Price
(Product pricing example) For a Cyclo Speed Reducer with a 0.75 kW power consumption and a speed reducing ratio of 15:
(New product) Highly efficient motor specification: JPY64,800 (consumption tax excluded).
(Existing product) Highly efficient motor specification: JPY72,400 (consumption tax excluded).

Sales target
5,000 units per year (for FY2010).

Launch of Japan's First Speed Reducers with Highly Efficient Motor