Technologies for energy efficiency at MachineBuilding.Live

From variable speed drives and high efficiency motors, to energy monitoring technologies, to taking steps to tackle leaks in compressed air systems, technologies are readily available to help optimise processes, materials and equipment, significantly curtailing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Visitors to MachineBuilding.Live will be able to talk to industry leaders about a whole range of energy efficient technologies, and many of those suppliers will also be able to conduct energy audits to facilities to identify opportunities for energy savings.

ABB, for example, has expanded its IE5 SynRM motor portfolio with three smaller frame sizes (90, 100, 112), now covering 0.75 kW to 450 kW. This gives customers the broadest range of magnet- and rare earth-free motors to boost efficiency, reliability, and sustainability across even more applications.

ABB's IE5 SynRM motors cut energy losses by up to 40% compared to IE3 motors, resulting in significant savings. For example, a single 90 kW motor can save 79,800 and reduce CO2 emissions by 95,760 kg over 20 years. Industrial sites typically operate dozens or even hundreds of smaller motors alongside larger ones, multiplying these savings and environmental benefits - often delivering a payback in as little as 5 months.

Have a look, too, at Lenze's i650 motec, the latest addition to the company's decentralised frequency inverter portfolio. Designed for next-level performance, Lenze says the i650 motec sets a new benchmark in energy efficiency, digital readiness, and ease of use - empowering machine builders to design smarter, greener systems with unprecedented simplicity.

Building on the robust foundation of the i550 motec, the i650 motec introduces a suite of enhanced features. These include an integrated Logic PLC, advanced positioning functionality and scalable safety capabilities. Together, they transform the inverter from a drive component into a complete, intelligent solution capable of operating stand-alone applications reducing the need for centralised PLCs, lowering integration costs and simplifying machine architecture.

The i650 motec exemplifies Lenze's commitment to sustainable innovation. Thanks to its regenerative feedback capability, energy otherwise lost is now efficiently recovered and fed back into the system. Combined with intelligent dimensioning via the EASY System Designer and compatibility with Lenze's high-efficiency m550 motor and g500 gearbox, the solution enables energy savings of up to 30%.

From Phoenix Contact, the "Energy Management Service - On-Premises" offers a powerful software solution for local energy management. The application enables standard-compliant monitoring and analysis of energy data in accordance with ISO 50001 - independent of external servers or internet connections.

The software is intuitive to use and offers flexible functions for visualising and evaluating energy flows. Companies can identify savings potential, derive targeted measures to increase efficiency, and sustainably reduce their energy costs.

The solution is available as a pre-configured complete package and can be easily integrated into existing infrastructures. It is particularly suitable for companies that want to record and process their energy data locally - for example, for data security reasons or due to lack of internet connectivity.

There's plenty to see, too, in the co-located FoodManufacturing.Live when it comes to energy efficiency. WEG offers a huge portfolio of energy efficient motors, with a recent development being the W80 AXgen axial flux motor. Axial flux motors turn conventional design on its head by arranging the rotor and stator in a flat, disc-like structure, allowing the magnetic flux to flow along the axis of the motor. This layout results in a much higher power density, meaning these motors can pack more power into a smaller, lighter package. With their ability to provide higher power-to-weight ratios combined with improved cooling methods, axial flux motors are increasingly seen as the next frontier in motor technology. The new motor achieves an impressive efficiency class of IE5 and beyond.

Talk, as well, to ifm, about its DV301x lighting solution that exceeds the stringent requirements of the Ecodesign Directive 2009/125/EC. The range reflects ifm's dedication to sustainability, energy efficiency and engineering excellence, helping industry partners embrace responsible, future-focused operations.

For a more strategic look at managing energy costs, boosting efficiency is a key theme in the workshops programme. James Hampshire, principal engineer at Powerstar will be discussing how to cut energy costs and boost efficiency with energy optimisation, highlighting how businesses can optimise their operations and support a cost-effective, low-carbon future.

Visitors to MachineBuilding.Live and FoodManufacturing.Live will be able to talk to industry leaders about a whole range of energy efficient technologies, and many of those suppliers will also be able to conduct energy audits to facilities to identify opportunities for energy savings. Click here to register to attend.