Product category:
Drives, motors and power transmission, couplings, clutches
News Release from: Stober Drives | Subject: Variable speed drives
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 27 February 2003
Drives maker offers systems-based
solutions
Variable speed drives manufacturer offers an application-based drive solution and looks at and solves the electronic and mechanical problems as a whole.
For many customers Stober is synonymous with mechanical variable speed drives The company has been in existence for over 60 years but these classic drives are still selling
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 4 Dec 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Stober is now known worldwide for its high-quality mechanical and electrical drive systems.
The founders of the company, the Stober brothers soon recognized the potential benefits that would be achieved by optimizing the production processes.
In 1934, the year of its formation, the first controlled drive solutions were created.
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The steplessly adjustable mechanical variable speed drives from Stober impressed so many users that the term ' Stober variable' became synonymous with the distribution of these drives.
The company expanded its gear range continuously until the 1970's.
In 1979 it moved into electronic drive technology with the formation of a separate division.
This step marked the beginning of a long-term product and market orientation.
The strong focus on application-based solutions, the increasing automation and the need for higher drive system dynamics resulted in a change of direction in the early 1980's towards servo systems as the logical extension to the familiar asynchronous world.
That period also saw the design and manufacture of the first planetary gears, which represent the ideal solution for high dynamics applications when combined with servo motors.
Stober initially sourced in electronic equipment, but the systematic strategy and increasing expertise required the development of its own frequency and servo inverter series which has now been successfully established on the market for years.
The group offers the customer a complete axis or drive train with coordinating electronic and mechanical components.
The slogan is: 'The drive for your automation', i.e Stober offers the customer an application-based drive solution for his machine or installation and looks at and solves the electronic and mechanical problems as a whole.
Because of the variety of applications and solutions within industry as a whole, three main centers of activity have developed: Firstly the asynchronous systems with 'MGS' gear motors and frequency inverters, secondly the synchronous systems with servo motors, planetary gears and servo inverters and thirdly marketing of the gear range as precision gears which can easily be fitted to servo motors from leading international manufacturers.
Stober is a globally active medium-sized company in private ownership and now employs over 400 people in Germany alone.
Its headquarters and adjacent production plant are located at Pforzheim.
Abroad, the necessary local presence is provided by a number of companies and numerous agencies.
Another manufacturing plant has been set up in the USA and produces and assembles gears for the American market.
In Germany 15 technical service offices look after distribution and support of our products.
The high level of advice and support and the orientation of all activities towards specializing in application-based solutions inevitably means to expand the scope of operations by additional companies - like now in the United Kingdom.
Stober products can be found in every industry, but the company has always been particularly attracted to innovative businesses looking for high-tech, leading edge solutions in order to improve their own market position long term.
Developments in drive technology (such as the trend towards decentralized automation), the increasingly complex problems to be solved and the receptive attitudes on the part of our customers towards new technology and applications represent a challenge for Stober to offer both mechanical and systemized solutions, without wanting to overstress the word "system".
With the wide range of products, Stober looks on it as a supplier of complete shafts and therefore as the ideal partner for customers who prefer not to or cannot do without electronics.
Despite the considerable number of suppliers on the market, users often face a situation where they cannot find a solution to their problem.
Along with the mechanics expertise, Stober has been developing detailed electronics know-how for years and using it in products like the Posidrive and Posidyn inverter ranges which are not only coordinated with the mechanical part of the drive but are also extremely user friendly.
They are quick to program and easy to use - as shown by the size of the manual.
It is about 90% shorter than manuals given to customers for competitive products with the same functions.
Customers also like the fact that Stober offers the same programming environment for frequency and servo inverters.
Field bus access is also standardized.
Although this has meant more hardware costs, it makes the programmer's work easier.
Stober software engineers have also developed special user software (e.g for turning and winding) which greatly reduces the programming effort.
Digital frequency and servo inverters without a bus capability are no longer marketable.
Stober has universal interfaces independent of protocols, which means that in principle any field bus system can be used.
Stober now concentrates on CAN and Profibus DP because of their market spread and rapid market penetration.
The systematic concentration on application support integrates customers into the design of new products at an early stage.
The principle is: For mechanical drives the main emphasis is on modularity, but in the electronics range Stober relies on systems with standardized hardware and flexible, user-friendly application software.
This means that dedicated solutions are always based on standard technology and therefore continuity and availability are maintained.
After-sales service costs are at the lower end compared with relevant competitors.
Stober gives its customers a three-year guarantee for the MGS range and associated inverters.
In addition to employing mechanical and electronic maintenance staff, for many years now Stober has used a network of service partners who are trained and qualified for Stober products.
They also provide a local presence for our customers, both around Germany and internationally.
A 24-hour helpline completes the service range.
Modern methods of communication such as the Internet and the logistics now available provide additional means of customer support, both in the planning phase and during start-up and maintenance.
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