OEM’s operate in increasingly competitive markets, driven by new technologies and rising productivity expectations from their manufacturing customer. More difficult to accommodate in short timescales are changes in currencies, legislation and trends. To find competitive advantage OEMs need to consider how best to implement smart technologies whilst keeping prices and profits at acceptable levels.

According to a new white paper from Schneider Electric, the constraints of cost reduction, usage of resources, and energy reduction will remain key drivers in the industry as consumers require manufacturers to be more “green.” The paper shows how incorporating sustainable design adds value to machines and differentiates the OEM from the competition.

Energy efficiency

Efficiency is one of the most important values and part of this relates to energy efficiency. Worldwide demand for energy is expected to double by 2050. Increased concern for the environment is driving more stringent energy-efficient regulations, and the industrial sector is on the front line. End-users understand the new challenges and have developed strategies to reduce the energy for their production and become sustainable companies.

Machine builders and OEMs are now on the front line of design: they must build smarter machines that innovate for new demanding markets. Automation solutions have already proven their effectiveness and benefits to reduce energy and resource consumption per product. In this way OEMs bring new added value to their equipment and competitive advantage through this differentiation to connect with their customers’ strategies.

Fixing the basics

It is at the design level that all the benefits of an energy efficiency approach can be implemented. Implementing the appropriate automation devices right from the start in your design can be a key source of improvement in the energy consumption of machines. Designing a more energy-efficient machine creates cost savings over the lifetime of the equipment. This lower cost can then be passed directly to end users, making your company more competitive.

Smart automation technologies already exist to optimise your machine design and you can fix the basics by:

– Specifying the correct motor rating and using high-efficiency motors

– Choosing a variable speed drive with the correct functionality

– Choosing the correct contactors and protective devices

– Creating more efficient motion control solutions

– Improving the enclosure’s thermal efficiency

– Implementing the right automation architecture and associated component

– Choosing the right automation devices, tools, or technologies (such as VSDs with onboard PLCs or combined PLC/HMIs, etc.)

– Monitoring asset maintenance

Download  White Paper from Schneider Electric On the road to Smart Machines… How OEMs can improve the energy efficiency of machines