Com a aquisição da Ewellix, a Schaeffler aposta na tecnologia agrícola

With the acquisition of Ewellix, Schaeffler invests in agricultural technology

Ewwelix Schaffler

Schaeffler presents its wide range of products for agricultural technology at the Agritechnica 2023 fair (12th to 18th November) in Hanover, Germany. The focus is mainly on systems for the electrification and digitalization of mobile agricultural machinery. Schaeffler underlines its commitment to sustainability and supports the transition to a highly efficient and climate-neutral economy in the agricultural sector.

Electromechanical linear actuators are a focal point of the Schaeffler product range on display at Agritechnica. With the acquisition of Ewellix, a Swedish specialist in linear movements, Schaeffler presents itself as a supplier of complete solutions. On its exhibition stand, Schaeffler will also present smart sensor solutions for smart agriculture, as well as electric motors for traction drives or auxiliary units in agricultural machines.

“As a motion technology company, our goal is to position ourselves as broadly as possible in the agricultural technology segment,” emphasizes Patrick Scherr, Senior Vice President of the Offroad Business Unit. “As a Tier 1 supplier in the agricultural sector, we focus our efforts on the global trend towards alternative driving systems and the growing demand for smart sensor solutions. Our presentation at the fair reflects this.”

Linear technology: high-performance actuators for heavy-duty applications

Under the Ewellix brand, Schaeffler presents a wide range of efficient solutions for linear motion. One of the highlights of the exhibition are the Ewellix CASM actuators, a new generation of high-performance electromechanical actuators. They offer an impressive lifting force of up to 15 tonnes with maximum positioning accuracy. These actuators support flexible and precise lift and tilt operations, requiring only a 24V power supply and a standardized machine-side analog or CAN bus control system.

Another innovative system solution is the e-MOVEKIT from Ewellix. This system guarantees quick and easy implementation of an electric actuator to replace a hydraulic cylinder. The e-MOVEKIT combines a CASM-100 actuator adapted to the application and includes motor, reducer and mounting accessories with a controller equipped with an analogue interface and CAN bus. The actuator controller activates a “speed mode” in which the linear speed of the actuator increases or decreases as it moves. To do this, it adapts the engine power and torque to the respective control commands. Two versions of this controller are available as part of e-MOVEKIT: one version as a solution for conventional systems integration and another as a quick-start variant for conceptual design studies.

Intelligent actuators for operating and steering functions
As a solution for carrying out linear movements with less force (for example, adjustments on a combine harvester or a round baler), Schaeffler presents the Ewellix CAHB-2xS intelligent actuators. Thanks to absolute position feedback and status monitoring, they achieve maximum positioning accuracy and operational reliability and can be synchronized with each other and integrated into the higher-level machine control system via CAN-Bus.

A front loader on display at the Schaeffler stand shows a combined linear solution in which these intelligent actuators take over the electrical locking function of the quick coupler (with axial load up to 10 kN), while CASM-100 or CASM-80 actuators perform the functions required lifting and tilting, moving axial loads of up to 60 and 30 kN respectively.

Another object on display is an electric steering actuator. This solution has already been successfully tested on forklifts. Since a forklift's transmission is electric, the remaining steering axle hydraulic system can be replaced with the Ewellix steering actuator. Compared to hydraulic steering systems, electromechanical systems enable more precise and energy-efficient steering operations and eliminate the risk of ground contamination due to hydraulic fluid leaks.

Sensors for measuring force and torque
Schaeffler LoadSense-PIN enables effective load control. This sensor solution consists of a small steel cylinder that is pressed into a hole in the respective customer component and measures the loads of the surrounding material structure. An extensometer coated directly on the cylinder, based on Schaeffler's Sensotect coating technology, records these changes and transmits them in analog form or via a bus system to the machine control system. This allows the measurement of forces and provides information about the loads on components such as shafts or gearboxes, as well as the safety-relevant weight distribution when using lifting tools.

Another smart sensor solution for agricultural technology is the Schaeffler TMSS (Torque Measurement Sensor System). This module allows contactless measurement of torque, temperature and speed and can be integrated into the machine control system using an analogue or CAN bus interface. The modules are particularly suitable for use in fertilizer spreaders, where they ensure a consistent distribution pattern.

Schaeffler electric motors with maximum power density
Schaeffler electric motors offer maximum reliability and maintenance-free operation. They are used in traction drives or auxiliary units of agricultural machinery. To meet growing customer demand for high-voltage systems of compact design, Schaeffler offers innovative solutions based on flat wire winding technology with hook and wave (continuous hook) winding. A compact design is achieved thanks to the high degree of copper filling, reduced magnetic and iron losses and improved heat dissipation.

These high-performance drive solutions also enable the future-oriented transition from combustion engines to electric motors in the agricultural machinery segment, while making a significant contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions in the agricultural technology sector.

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