The Art of Making Smart Drives

Hannover Messe

April 9, 2018

At the “Smart Power Transmission and Fluid Power Solutions” showcase at HANNOVER MESSE 2018 (Hall 23), demonstrations by power transmission and fluid power experts from Aventics , Bosch Rexroth , Schaeffler , Bucher Hydraulik , Linde Hydraulics , Moog and Argo Hytos will illustrate smart solutions that hinge not only on Industry 4.0 technologies, but also on tweaking existing systems on an ongoing basis. How this can look in the real world was sketched out as follows by Peter-Michael Synek, Deputy General Manager of Germany’s VDMA Fluid Power Association, which is co-organizing the showcase with Deutsche Messe. Synek: “Today’s manufacturers of hydraulic and pneumatic components and systems are in many cases realizing decentralized drive solutions by integrating intelligent digital technology that enables hydraulic motors and pumps to communicate with valves and cylinders and exchange data with higher-level control systems. Proportional hydraulic and servo-pneumatic systems are prime examples of this.”

The message here is that digital intelligence is being used to keep tried-and-trusted building blocks of industrial technology competitive. For instance, builders and users of automated machinery systems value the high versatility and simple structure of pneumatic drive systems. And in mobile drive applications and high-performance processing machines, hydraulic systems offer the benefits of high power density, ruggedness, overload protection and space-saving dimensions. But now, increasingly the trend is to combine these strengths with electronics and IT to add new functionality and characteristics, such as improved energy efficiency, increased uptime, faster initial setup, and maintenance that is more tailored to actual needs.

Bucher Hydraulics will be demonstrating this new paradigm with a novel drive that combines the benefits of electric drive technology with those of hydraulic technology. Bucher’s “electrified” hydraulic drive supports 4-quadrant operation, is energy efficient, can recover the braking energy generated during load lowering and speed reduction, and can be implemented as a decentralized subsystem that lends itself to “plug & run” operation. The drive is designed for applications in stationary machines and industrial trucks.

Linde Hydraulics will likewise be presenting an example of intelligent fluid power technology designed for industrial trucks. Dubbed “Shift in Motion”, the system enables automated, smooth gear shifts on the move, but without the expense of synchronized gearing. This enhances driver comfort as well as reducing fuel consumption and noise emissions. In another excellent example of added intelligence through electronics and IT, the gearbox variable displacement pump, servomotor and actuator are controlled by a Linde iCon drive controller.

Bosch Rexroth will be showcasing its CytroPac hydraulic power unit. Comprising a motor, pump sensors and an in-built frequency converter that functions as a local controller, it is a very compact, all-in-one module. Designed for easy installation in machine tools, CytroPac comes fully wired, ready to “plug & run”, making initial setup very fast. Its variable-speed drive delivers only the output actually required, thereby reducing energy consumption by up to 80 percent. Thanks to its built-in decentralized intelligence, the unit continuously monitors all of its own operating states, including pressure, temperature and contamination, and sends the data to the machine controller for use in preventive maintenance.

The CytroPac unit delivers a maximum hydraulic power of 4 kW and a maximum flow of 35 l/min. It communicates with the machine controller via multiple industry-standard real-time network interfaces (Sercos, Profinet, EtherCAT) and has an acoustically insulated housing for low-noise operation.

The “Smart Power Transmission and Fluid Power Solutions” showcase will also feature pneumatic technology in the form of the “Smart Pneumatics Monitor” (SPM) by Aventics . Designed as a central module for networked pneumatics, the SPM gathers data from smart pneumatic valves in order to monitor the “health status” of entire machines. It monitors various operating states, analyzes and processes the resulting data and makes it available to users for condition-based maintenance purposes. For users, this automated solution delivers the twin benefits of cost savings and increased machine availability.

These are just a few of the exhibits and demonstration units at the “Smart Power Transmission and Fluid Power Solutions” showcase. In their totality, they will give IAMD visitors a concentrated look at the many benefits of highly integrated, intelligent drive systems. These benefits apply right across the board to all forms of drive technology, whether electric, mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic. The exhibits and demonstrations will show that the key to creating best-in-class drive solutions lies combining tried-and-proven drive technologies with the intelligence of control and feedback systems, sensors, diagnostic equipment and IT. The results are Industry 4.0-style integrated, self-regulating drive systems that integrate perfectly into the digitization strategies of machinery manufacturers and operators. At IAMD, prime examples of these systems will of course not be confined to this special showcase; they will also be very much in evidence at numerous individual stands featuring leading manufacturers of drive components and systems.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Andreas Sobotta to Assume Role of Vice President North and South America for Pilz Automation

    Pilz Automation Safety Canada L.P. announces that their long-term CEO and GM, Andreas Sobotta, will assume the role of Vice President North and South America, effective immediately. He will still work from the Canadian office in Mississauga and visit all other subsidiaries in North and South America. Pilz will take their time to find a… Read More…

  • SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    SEW-Eurodrive: MAXOLUTION System Solutions

    Whether in production or logistics operations, MAXOLUTION is synonymous with innovation in factory automation – across all industries and worldwide – helping you achieve your vision of an adaptable and resilient lean smart factory. Under the MAXOLUTION brand, SEW-EURODRIVE creates customized solutions for cutting-edge materials handling technology – from the shop floor through to IT.… Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    Making the Sustainable Transformation of the Process Industry a Success

    By Krystie Johnston and Dr. Manfred Jagiella – Sustainability facilitates opportunity when approached with a mindset to preserve resources and promote circularity. We share one Earth, and it is our global responsibility to care for it for the next generation. Endress+Hauser is one global company that understands this responsibility – and practices it as well.… Read More…

  • Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Why NOARK’s 12VDC Shunt Trip Coils for MCCBs Make Power Systems Reliable and Safer

    Circuit breakers are an essential component of any modern electrical system. Designed to protect your home or business from potential overloads or short circuits, these devices are your first line of defense against electrical fires. There are, however, situations where remote tripping of the circuit breaker may be required. It could be for operational reasons,… Read More…