- Trendsetter: Building gearheads with innovation and passion
- Responsibility: Thinking of systems holistically
- Challenge: Using resources efficiently
WITTENSTEIN AG - Hall 14, Stand J04
Emotional and rational - combative and passionate - challenging and protecting - are these typically feminine attributes? Correct. Technology - Male domain in transition. Is that equally true? WITTENSTEIN AG definitely wants its slogan at this year's Hanover Fair (HMI) to be provoking. The slogan "Technology - Male domain in transition!" will be an eye-catching feature of the company's 150 sq.m. stand at the show, as it will be "manned" by an all-female team. Only female sales engineers from all over the world will look after visitors to the stand, explain the mechatronic products being exhibited and propose solutions to customers for optimising their machines.
Technology - Male domain in transition!
In Hanover, the slogan "Technology - Male domain in transition!" will encapsulate, and be a visual reminder of, WITTENSTEIN's overall efforts to use resources efficiently in all areas and make them available to customers. The mechatronics specialist is increasingly applying the different mindsets of men and women in development and sales because the company is convinced that genuinely new solutions will not emerge until the skills of men and women interact in engineering. Here, company strategy points the way to the future - for instance, in the unification or miniaturisation of drives or in the development of completely new fields of application. At the present time, this is also reflected in the many innovations and ways in which drive technologies have been optimised - an area where the company's WITTENSTEIN alpha subsidiary, in particular, has set trends in the market over the 25 years since it was established. The focus is always on customer benefits and this is achieved by undertaking specific analyses of drive tasks during the manufacture of machines and systems.
Holistic thinking firmly anchored in the company
Holistic thinking includes sustainable management and communications geared to dialogue but also aesthetics and design - something society again views as being a female attribute. It is of fundamental significance to WITTENSTEIN to play an active part in the continuous process of technological and social change. The company's policy focuses on sustainability and is based on the concept that changes must be seen as an opportunity for further development. People and preserving the environment for future generations are of primary importance.
Theory works in practice
WITTENSTEIN's customers have always benefited from the company's sustainability policy. A few examples provide an excellent illustration of this. Thanks to the introduction of flexible gear adapter plates, assembly time has been reduced from more than one hour to less than five minutes. Optimised helical toothing has increased load carrying capacity whilst simultaneously reducing running noise and doubling torques.
Intelligent gear technology
Nowadays, intelligent sensor flanges, equipped with integrated or modular intelligence, are able to feel, think and communicate. Thanks to these "senses", they provide continuous information on current operating conditions and can even intervene directly in the control loop. At HMI, WITTENSTEIN will present simulation sensors and sensor gearheads. As the standard component nearest the process, the gearhead generally operates without the slightest complaint - so that the operator has no direct way of knowing whether the drive is being pushed too hard or not hard enough. Intelligent sensor technology now allows internal exchange of data. There are countless examples of how such systems can be put to good use. These include a force-controlled extruder for precise metering, feed control or tool monitoring in machine tools, belt tension control and controlled coiling in textile or paper machines, sensitive robotics, torque-controlled functions or force-controlled pressing operations.
The sensors can also be used efficiently for system monitoring. This permits early identification of unscheduled stoppages such as system crashes, irregular wear and forecasts of the remaining service life of a unit, thus achieving massive cost savings through the reduction of downtime.
New: Sizing software with environmental button
One final interesting example: since the year 2000 cymex®, the world's first sizing software developed by WITTENSTEIN alpha, has allowed customers to assemble the best possible drive train for their individual application from several components. The latest version - cymex®3 - will be unveiled at the Hanover Fair. Enhanced features are resource-efficient calculation options such as downsizing the complete drive or a so-called "Environmental button" for determining energy consumption. Costs over the entire service life of the drive can also be included in the analysis. The fact that characteristics such as service and maintenance as well as acquisition and disposal costs can be taken into account ensures that a full evaluation can be made of the drives. When commissioning their individual drive train, customers can therefore be confident that they have selected the optimum solution out of the millions of possibilities so that they, in turn, can offer their customers the most efficient drive package.
Optimum enhancement of technology through customer service
In addition to its trendsetting role in engineering, customer focus always plays an important role at WITTENSTEIN. For instance, one of the company's principles is to give customers full access to its expertise. In this respect, too, WITTENSTEIN is a pioneer. Striking examples of this are the end-to-end engineering advice provided even during the sales phase, the in-depth training options for all customers and the effective reduction in delivery times - originally 16 to 20 weeks but now down to 24 hours.
WITTENSTEIN at HMI: A sparkling display of innovation
WITTENSTEIN AG will arrive at HMI 2009 with a wealth of innovations. All new developments in the field of drive solutions concentrate on sustainability, a long service life and efficient use of resources. The company also continually strives to develop, and thus optimise, tried-and-tested product series.
This year, the SP+ and TP+ gearhead series are being showcased. Here, the slogan "Models of perfection" primarily refers to the technical facelift given to these two gearheads series, though it also highlights their new design. This is an outward sign of new dynamic input but with proven technology.
SP+/TP+: Models of perfection
One element of WITTENSTEIN's company policy is to solve future issues today by acting in a far-sighted and responsible way, thus playing a role in influencing the change process. WITTENSTEIN is a young company and the fact that 85 percent of all WITTENSTEIN products sold are less than five years old demonstrates that all its components have also remained young. Every year, more than 150,000 gearheads of the highest quality are shipped on time all over the world.
Engineers likewise applied the policy of resource efficiency systematically during the further development of the SP+ and TP+ series. This is especially apparent in the details, for example in the fact that the newest generation of the low-backlash planetary gearheads is now quieter than ever before. After all, noise is also a cost factor.
TPM+ power
At the Hanover Fair, existing and potential customers will additionally be able to experience further outstanding product examples, all of which follow the trend described, either "live" or in the form of entertaining presentations. Apart from intelligent sensors, the new cymex®3 sizing software and the two SP+ and TP+ gearhead series, this also includes the TPM+ series of servo actuators. The outstanding advantages of the TPM+ power are its very high torque and exceptionally compact length. The reduction ratio steps are relatively small to achieve an energy-efficient actuator design. Other typical applications are the "active stick" from WITTENSTEIN aerospace & simulation, pitch gearheads for adjusting rotor blades on wind turbines and a selection of components for extreme requirements from WITTENSTEIN cyber motor, WITTENSTEIN motion control and WITTENSTEIN electronics, for example high-temperature, vacuum and frameless motors. Particularly in the fields of extreme operating conditions and alternative forms of energy, WITTENSTEIN researches and develops products in a targeted manner, so that future-oriented solutions which are first and foremost very frugal with resources can be offered.
For instance, the new pitch drives allow wind turbines to improve their use of wind power by 10%. The new high-temperature motors and resolvers can be used at ambient temperatures in excess of 250°C and ambient pressures up to 2000 bar as well as at a depth of 3000 metres in the oceans for up to 30 years, resistant to both pressure and salt water.