Power Transmission
Sometimes, such transitioning issues can be resolved very quickly. In other cases, you might need up to three months or more to work through these changes, so be sure to start thinking about EISA as early as possible!
EISA know-how
If you have to look into EISA, then the know-how gained could be of considerable general value to your company. Similar minimum efficiency legislation came into force in the EU in June 2011. It mandates a minimum efficiency level of IE2 for new general-purpose AC motors. IE2 is a lower level of efficiency than IE3 (the equivalent to NEMA Premium under EISA) - which the EU will mandate from 2015 (see Table). The differences between our continents poses an
important question for OEMs. American manufacturers will already have developed IE3-rated high efficiency versions of their machinery. In some cases, especially where the motor represents only a small portion of total equipment cost, it may be the case that they offer their standard IE3-rated version to the world market. Most end users of automation are becoming seriously worried about their energy costs. Many are also currently putting strong environmental care plans into place. Given this market situation, it could be that those companies that start to offer the best efficiency levels available could see their market share grow at the expense of those who merely offer the minimum required. Baldor is suggesting that European OEMs can usefully
Table. Relative levels of EU and USA motor efficiency standards.
pose the question “Should we start offering IE3 efficiency now, even though it is not required by law until 2015?”. If they don’t consider this issue, their North American-based competitors might steal a march. l
Enter 47 or ✔ at
www.engineerlive.com/ede Robin Cowley is Sales Manager - Western EU,
Baldor UK Ltd, Bristol, UK.
www.baldor.co.uk. Baldor’s guide to EISA (Energy Independence and Security Act) can be downloaded from:
www.baldor.com/support/literature_load. asp?LitNumber=IMS501DE
Technical improvements sustain current demand for industrial hydraulic equipment, but future is bleak
T
he industrial hydraulic equipment market is mature. Alternative electro-mechanical and electro- static solutions, such as electric drives are replacing hydraulics in industrial applications, as they are more efficient, cheaper and available at shorter lead times. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, European Hydraulic Equipment Markets for Industrial Applications, finds that the market earned revenues of $1,415.1 million in 2010 and estimates this to reach $2,015.8 million by 2017. The impact of recession was severe
on the European hydraulic equipment market for industrial applications with revenues dropping by 31.8 per cent in 2009 to reach $1318.8 million, as a result of low investments in major end-user segments. Despite manufacturers investing heavily
in improving the reliability and performance of hydraulic equipment, revenues in this market were mainly due to retrofits rather than new installations in 2010. “Manufacturers have been integrating
electronic controls with hydraulic equipment
for increased accuracy and efficiency,” remarks Frost & Sullivan Programme Manager Sivakumar Narayanaswamy. “These improvements have played a significant role in sustaining the demand for hydraulic equipment.” To a certain extent, the integration of
electronics into hydraulic systems has helped the hydraulic equipment market sustain revenues. However, as rapid technological developments in the various fields of alternative motion control continue, it is widely accepted that many hydraulic equipment applications may be replaced by more effective methods in the future. Hydraulic equipment has a large installed base, which will have to be replaced or repaired within a specific time frame. The major factor sustaining the replacement market has been leakage related issues caused by ageing and corrosion in hydraulic cylinders and accessories. Even during the economic slowdown, many end users postponed new installations and invested instead in repairs and replacements.
“The use of hydraulic systems in mechanised processes is being threatened by the increased use of electrically- operated drives and motors that offer accurate performance and re-programmable digital control and settings, except in high pressure applications,” states Narayanaswamy.
“Electrically-operated equipment is able to meet customer demands for greater levels of accuracy and efficiency from automation apparatus.” The market is poised to witness
increased consolidation due to pricing pressures and competition from low- cost imports. Small- and medium-sized organisations are unlikely to be able to withstand the competition from low-cost Asian manufacturers and decreased profit margins. “Large multinationals are continuously
looking to expand in terms of products and geographies,” concludes Narayanaswamy. “This could compel small- and medium- sized organisations to collaborate or merge with their bigger counterparts.” l
www.engineerlive.com 47
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