Our interview partner: Sebastian Markert, Department Manager Global R&D Servo Drive Systems at Sumitomo

What new fields of application do you see in drive technology against the backdrop of digitalization?

Sebastian Markert: In future, we will always be adding many more components to our gearboxes, such as motors, brakes and control electronics. This higher level of integration will enable us to open up new fields of application: For example, a customer can then use these systems if they have a specific idea to get something moving and want to focus on the big picture. This will enable them to realize their vision much faster than the previous practice of first developing and tuning the drive axle. However, traditional customers will also benefit from the higher level of integration: By precisely matching the additional components to the transmission, it will be possible to implement many different compensation algorithms. This leads to performance improvements that could not be achieved through pure mechanics. Of course, the networking of systems also continues to play a major role and enables entry into the digital age. In summary, new machines are being created holistically based on the visions of individuals and existing systems are being improved in terms of their performance and also made intelligent in order to break into Industry 4.0.

Do you already have intelligent drive solutions for networked production with regard to Industry 4.0 in your program or in development? If so, what are your priorities?

Sebastian Markert: Yes! We exhibited our first actuator prototypes for use in robotics at the IREX trade fair in Tokyo back in December 2019. There, we combined the gearbox, motor, brake and driver in one system to create a highly efficient and smart system. Since then, we have continued to drive development forward and are currently working on the next generation. We can't reveal many details at the moment, but we can say that the level of integration is being taken to the extreme. In future, customers will only need to provide a 48V power supply and establish an EtherCAT connection for operation. With the appropriate controller, the entire system can be set up and ready for use in a short space of time. The development of systems for use in robotics is therefore a central focus.

In the field of industrial products, the focus is on condition monitoring and additional sensor technology. This makes it possible, for example, to optimize maintenance and thus extend the service life and improve service planning. Integrated sensors can be used to control applications with pinpoint accuracy. For example, torque monitoring in the gearbox can be used to precisely control the required load or to identify faults. At Sumitomo Drive Technologies, corresponding features are integrated directly into the component. This allows our customers to use this additional information (e.g. for damage prevention or quality assurance) with little effort. The generation of information can be increased even further by networking several components.

What challenges do you think drive technology will have to face in the near future?

Sebastian Markert : Due to the constant trend towards complex systems, drive manufacturers must also increasingly take on the topics of control and safety due to changing customer and market requirements. For example, the Drive Package Solution for AGVs developed by Sumitomo and Lafert was supplied with a motor control unit in which, among other things, Safe Off Torque features were integrated according to individual customer requirements. The safety concept (including failure protection) has led drive manufacturers to develop condition monitoring solutions, among other things, in order to continuously monitor the technical condition of a machine. The same applies to the development of our actuators for use in robotics. We already integrate a wide variety of sensors there, whose signals have to be processed directly by the integrated driver. In order to ultimately be able to offer a safe and high-performance system, we have to understand and optimize the signal processing and software connection. These tasks, as well as the general development and integration of electronic components, naturally present us with new challenges, but we will master them with great motivation and enthusiasm. We will get it done!