Dunkermotoren is part of the AMETEK brand, a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving a diverse set of attractive niche markets with annual sales over $7.0 billion. Founded in 1950 and headquartered in Bonndorf im Schwarzwald, Dunkermotoren has grown considerably to app. 1,300 employees around the world. With production facilities in the headquarter itself, China, Serbia and Czechia, as well as local sales representatives in all areas of the world, the company develops, produces and sells innovative, flexible and high-quality gearmotor solutions in various market segments. From AGVs and shuttle systems in the intralogistics, to strapping and packing machines in the food and packaging industry, medical pumps or laboratory equipment in the healthcare segment, forage harvesters and milking robots for modern agriculture, or building automation systems such as security gates, Dunkermotoren accommodates people´s daily life and drive the world forward.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Dunkermotoren focuses on the improvement of its products’ energy–efficiency and the expansion of digital features to offer to our customers – all aligned to our modular system. An improved energy-efficiency is crucial to reduce the CO2 footprint of the machines our solutions are operating in, and to enable mobile, battery-driven solutions such as AGVs and AMRs. Connectivity and digital services, on the other hand, are the basis for an easy implementation of an application into an existing ecosystem, an optimized operation, and a reduction of downtimes thanks to data monitoring and real-time alert functions.
E.E: What’s the news about new products/services?
In 2024, Dunkermotoren introduces the NG 1000 – a new hub gearbox developed to suit the requirements for the use in automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The PLG 75 SL, which has also been launched recently, is a servoline planetary gearbox for an extended lifetime of >20.000 hours. Besides the latest gearbox developments, the new SL 38 linear motor series including hygienic IP69K stainless steel versions is ready to revolutionize the automation in food packaging systems. As market leader for smart integrated motors, Dunkermotoren further extends its comprehensive portfolio adding simple and cost-effective integrated close loop controllers (dGo), as well as high end versions with different safety features. By focusing on permanent developments in the field of IIoT, the digital brand nexofox enables Dunkermotoren customers to explore Smart Diagnostics service packages and features such as predictive maintenance and more.
E.E: What are the ranges of products/services?
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of brushless and bushed DC motors, stepper motors, AC motors, linear systems and blower, as well as planetary and angular gearboxes, integrated or external electronics, and encoders – all developed and produced in-house. In 2021, we launched our own IIoT brand nexofox, offering smart digital services including motor programming, the implementation via field level or cloud solutions, as well as condition monitoring and predictive maintenance for smart Dunkermotoren motors and the EGS Automation robots. By developing its digital services, nexofox cooperated with strong partners within the Open Industry 4.0 alliance, so that capabilities can be shared and manufacturer independent standards can be established, simplifying a digital data provision across the entire value chain of an end product.
E.E: What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
We are working in fast-paced, innovative, and technology driven markets. Regulations are becoming ever stricter, whether in terms of hygiene regulations in the food sector, energy efficiency, machine safety, and data transparency.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
The Internet of Things (IoT) is omnipresent across the various industries we are serving. It’s all about connectivity, monitoring, and remote functions. Machines and systems within a production line, AGVs within a fleet, or access gates within an airport or metro station must be able to communicate with each other and the higher-level IT infrastructure. This enables data monitoring and analysis, which is crucial for a reliable operation of each system. Digitalization and cross-manufacturer standards are the answer to those trends.
E.E: What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
What is innovative in our products and services is the holistic concept of our portfolio. Each product we are developing is designed to fit our innovative modular system – which opens up the possibility of configuring millions of complete motor solutions from 1 to 5,000 Watts, based on individual application requirements. This includes not only our hardware components such as motor, gearbox or brake. All our integrated electronics are also based on a common platform, the so-called Motor Control Platform (MCP), which enables an easy and uniform programming of all smart Dunkermotoren motors, independent of its size and functional scope.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2024?
The degree of international competition will continue to increase while safety regulations, hygiene requirements and regulations with regard to energy efficiency will become even stricter. Customers, on the other hand, expect an increasing flexibility. Companies will be forced to even increase their degree of automation while fulfilling highest environmental restrictions. With ongoing developments in efficient drive technology and smart services for monitoring, alert management, and predictive maintenance, manufacturers of all industries will be able to be competitive in both, efficiency and flexibility.