Press Release: “We offer solutions
with highest levels of economy
and efficiency”

Newly appointed Managing Director of Nord
Drivesystems Pvt Ltd PL MUTHUSEKKAR
shares his 25 years expertise of motor gears,
newly introduced decentralized frequency
inverters, in conversation with LovinaKinny.

The company has recently introduced decentralized frequency inverters to the Indian market. Can you tell us of the unique features of this drive? How has been the response to this product?

NORD has been developing and producing decentralised frequency inverters for more than five years. Now we have expanded NORDAC-DA flexible decentralized concept with a further module. The new SK 200E frequency inverter series is designed to be mounted directly on the motor terminal box to create a combined, fully integrated unit for use in the field. Similar to the SK 500E inverter series, which was launched two years ago, the new models provide a continuous range of performance and various optional features, which greatly simplify the selection of models to suit the particular application.

SK 200E inverters are available with almost the same range of functions as the SK 500E models. The spectrum ranges from simple drive functions to complex positioning control. Their low-cost design, variable equipment and compact size as well as their compatibility with various connection systems, makes them especially suitable for material handling applications. Several externally visible LED displays enable simple diagnosis directly on the device.
Communication systems both with and without connection facilities for sensors, actuators and control modules are available for all current applications.
Very few companies have decentralized frequency inverters – an integration of a motor, gear box and variable frequency drive in their basket. This product can be used in applications like logistics, packaging and airport baggage handling. The product has evoked interest amongst the customers but it really has to see the light. We foresee a good market for this product.

Cranes in shipyards, container terminals and other port facilities require reliable, powerful drive machines and electronics. How are Nord’s geared motors designed to withstand high radial and axial forces? Can you also brief us the line of geared motors and inverters Nord offers in this context?

The tasks of cranes in picking up loads and setting them down gently at a precise location requires special drives and integrated brakes as well as a frequency inverter technology, which ensures a soft start and generator braking via defined adjustable ramps. Smooth motion with high positioning accuracy is essential - and is often required with the simultaneous movement of the crane and the trolley as well as the control and synchronous operation for travelling drives. This places the very highest demands on the drive systems used.

Throughout the world, manufacturers of cranes and trolleys rely on parallel shaft geared motors from Nord Drivesystems with power ratings up to 200 kW and a wide range of gear ratios. Speeds are around 80 m/min for crane movement and 32 m/min for trolley movement, with accelerations of 0.2 m/sec. Two or three-stage basic types are available with hollow or solid shafts, in foot mounted, flange mounted or face mounted versions, each with the same housing. The unicase concept enables parallel shaft gear units with high output power and extremely compact gear unit dimensions. These in turn can be combined with many elements of the Nord modular system. In addition to the high efficiency of gear units with helical, parallel, bevel and worm gears, there are further decisive benefits to operators. Greater operational reliability, high output torques, high axial and radial loading capacity, quiet running, high efficiency, reduced maintenance and a longer operating life are the key features of this series.

Crane travelling drives can be achieved with NORD SK 500E, which is a bevel gear unit with hollow shafts and torque arm. Synchronous running is achieved with NORD SK 500E series frequency inverters. The compact design of foot-mounted parallel shaft gear motors with hollow shaft and shrink disc allows the configuration of two cable drums in a very small space.

Renewable energy today is source of efficient energy. Which areas (wind, solar, biogas, geothermal energy) are represented by you and by what products?

Can you brief us on the company’s growth from agent cum distributor to establishing subsidiary Nord Drivesystems Pvt Ltd?

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NORD was founded in 1965 and now has net sales of approximately €412 million. NORD is represented by 36 subsidiaries in over 60 countries in the world. Our powerful drive systems have put to work huge cranes in harbour facilities, retractable roofs sports stadiums, airport baggage handling etc. our product range includes geared motors, motors, frequency inverters and NORD is the only manufacturer in the world which produces industrial gear units up to 229 kNm as UNICASE versions. NORD´s wide variety of gear types covers torques from 10 Nm to 2,00,000 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. With its own gear and motor production facilities and assembly units, NORD offers its customers complete, sophisticated system solutions with the very highest levels of economy and efficiency.

NORD India was established in the year 2005 at Hinjewadi / Pune, the engineering capital of India, and full fledged operation was commenced from 2007, to serve the customers in India and the SAARC countries. NORD in India is growing at CAGR of 30%, and has contributed `60 crore to the global turnover.

Can you throw light on your assembly unit in Pune. Do you plan to set up any manufacturing unit in India?

How do you see the drive system market in India?

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The geared motor and the industrial gear box market are not directly related to the GDP growth of the country; however the growth is always 2-3x the GDP. It is an attractive market as this industry spreads across all the sectors like chemical, pharmaceutical, engineering, aviation, steel, infrastructure etc.

NORD is performing well in the geared motors segment of drive systems however we need to strengthen our hold in the variable frequency drive coupled with gear boxes segment. We plan to strengthen our hold with our unique product - decentralized drive system.

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How do you see the competition here in India? Is it more from the organized or unorganized sector?

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The drive system market is becoming more organized and growing at much higher pace which is a welcome sign for a high quality solution provider like Nord. There are only a few organized players in this field; brand new players entering the sector are seldom. We don’t see any small companies coming up or unorganized sector growing.

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NORD Drivesystems Pvt. Ltd, Pune. Mobile: 096899-00320, 097654-90890. Fax: 91-20-39801216. Email: SSingh@nord-in.com.