PECM Issue 35 2018 | Page 28

EDITOR’S CHOICE POWERTRAIN SOLUTIONS ALTRA BRAND MANUFACTURERS ARE PUSHING AHEAD WITH RENEWABLE ENERGIES Ameridrives, Stromag, Svendborg Brakes, Twiflex and Warner Electric are leading brands of Altra Industrial Motion Corp. and will serve in the future under the label “Altra Renewables” in a unique way the international wind energy market. So far, each of these brands has supported the industry with its own product expertise and expertise. Together, they are now able to offer their customers complete powertrain solutions and a truly global maintenance, repair and aftermarket service. Both Svendborg Brakes and Stromag as well as Twiflex and Warner Electric are known as brand solution providers for a variety of applications including wind turbines, tidal and ocean current turbines, solar collectors and biomass furnaces. Each of the brands specializes in its own niche, with a product range from azimuth brakes, rotor brakes, shaft locks, quick couplings, limit switches and actuators to hydraulic power units and soft brake control (SOBO iQ). By merging the brands, Altra intends to combine its individual know-how in the areas of engineering, material procurement, manufacturing and service in order to lower the energy generation costs for the operators. Steven Olsen, Managing Director of Altra Renewables, said: “Manufacturers and operators are still trying to reduce production costs by increasing efficiencies and reducing component and maintenance costs. We’ve found that by pooling the resources of our core brands, we can help our customers reduce the complexity of their supply chain. At the same time, we are able to develop and offer turnkey solutions and maintenance packages specifically for the renewable energy sector. “ Altra Renewables combines the knowledge and skills of leading brands to offer ready-made solutions specifically for this market. For example, Altra Renewables has developed a cooling system for wind turbine nacelle components that improves their efficiency and lowers the cost of electricity generation. The solution came about as part of a partnership between Svendborg Brakes and Stromag GmbH, whose sales channel in Korea made the first request. Further tailor-made technologies include a modular hybrid azimuth bearing that combines the advantages of rolling and plain bearings, as well as an innovative lifting and assembly tool for azimuth brakes. Behind the brands of Altra Renewables are production and development centers in Europe, East and South Asia as well as North and South America. This makes Altra the only manufacturer of complete powertrain solutions that can assist local manufacturers and provide installation and maintenance services even in the most remote locations. Altra Renewables ‘customers across all brands have access to the entire division’s service and support, including Svendborg Brakes’ 24/7 service for onshore and offshore installations. About Altra Industrial Motion Corp. Altra is a leading global designer and manufacturer of high quality drive and motion control products used in a wide variety of industrial drive applications. Altra’s product lines include clutches, brakes, transmission and powertrain components and are sold under 23 well-known brands, each of which has existed for more than 50 years. Each of these businesses is committed to the guiding principles of operational excellence, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Altra’s advanced solutions are sold in over 70 countries and used in a variety of key industrial sectors, including food processing, material handling, packaging, mining, power generation, automotive, steel processing, lawn and garden care, to name but a few. For more information, visit www.altramotion.com 28 PECM Issue 35