Highly energy-efficient, quick to install, slim-line mounting, easy to operate, low noise level, low heat dissipation and extremely reliable – the operators and workers using our drive technology for baggage handling in Terminal 4 of Los Angeles International Airport all appreciate the long list of advantages.
Further information about American Airlines:
Further information about Los Angeles International Airport:
Further information about Cage Inc.:
The project covers five machines in baggage check-in with electronic security screening (CBIS – checked baggage inspection system) and the entire area for the additional screening of any baggage identified as warranting further investigation (CBRA – checked baggage resolution area):
Fully upgrading the drive technology with approx. 450 MOVIGEAR ® mechatronic drives and DRC..:
The BHS sector in the U.S. has realized that its future lies in MOVIGEAR® permanent magnet motor technology.
This is the first BHS project in the United States conducted in partnership with CAGE Inc., paving the way for many more SEW‑EURODRIVE projects using our MOVIGEAR ® mechatronic drive systems.
CAGE, for one, has identified us as an extremely innovative and high-quality supplier of energy-efficient solutions. American Airlines has also been impressed by our innovative, electrical drive technology and is planning to upgrade further automated baggage handling systems in the United States using PMM drives from SEW‑EURODRIVE.
Baggage handling systems at airports such as that in Los Angeles operate almost 24/7, but they do not run continuously. Time and again, they are brought to a halt and then need to be started up again. Sometimes a lot of baggage, and thus a heavier load, needs transporting on the conveyor belt; other times it's less – presenting a major challenge for the drive technology involved.
To cope with the high breakaway torque required , the asynchronous motors used till then for operation and the far lower nominal torque after start-up were completely disproportionate and inefficient. The resulting accumulation of heat left the operators no choice but to fit expensive external cooling alongside the drive technology. This measure also increased the noise level, which caused both a predicament for staff at the Los Angeles airport and spiraling costs for American Airlines.
However, once SEW‑EURODRIVE conquered the market with its mechatronic drive technology, easy and efficient solutions became available to overcome these kinds of difficult conditions. Another ground-breaking development occurred in 2013, when our subsidiary in Lyman, South Carolina, entered into a partnership with CAGE Inc. , a leading U.S. consultancy firm for baggage handling systems, headquartered in Irving, Texas.
American Airlines arranged for a total of five CTX‑9800 machines in the checked baggage inspection system (CBIS) zone and the entire checked baggage resolution area (CBRA) to be completely upgraded in Terminal 4 of Los Angeles International Airport. In the CBIS zone, the checked baggage travels through an electronic security screening system, while baggage identified as requiring further inspection is examined in the CBRA prior to being cleared through customs and then transported to the sorting system for departing baggage.
The project to upgrade the systems in Los Angeles presented some tough challenges. The asynchronous motors used till then needed replacing with highly efficient permanent magnet motors. The previous drive technology lagged way behind the high performance and overload capacity of our MOVIGEAR ® product family. Specially optimized configuration algorithms were devised in close collaboration with SEW‑EURODRIVE to maximize the benefits of this new technology.
Nearly 450 cutting-edge, decentralized mechatronic systems are now installed in the upgraded systems and duly performing their task – extremely reliably and with maximum efficiency. The DRC.. electronic motors combine an IE4 permanent magnet motor with powerful electronics. The MOVIGEAR ® drive system also features space-saving parallel-shaft helical gear unit technology in the shared housing.
The 450 or so MOVIGEAR ® decentralized mechatronic and DRC.. electronic motors from SEW‑EURODRIVE are the linchpins in this future-proofing investment to upgrade Terminal 4 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The main benefit: The highly efficient MOVIGEAR ® product family can reduce energy consumption by up to 40% . Moreover, the new drives boast a very high breakaway torque in excess of 300% of the nominal torque. The quick installation process, simplified maintenance and lower need for spare parts also reduce operating costs, meaning the investment will pay for itself within one year.
The employees working with the system particularly appreciate the dramatic reduction in the noise and heat given off compared to the previous equipment.
The operators at Los Angeles International Airport have been impressed by the unique characteristics of our mechatronic systems. Our innovative drive technology has also impressed one of the world's largest airlines in American Airlines, which now intends to use MOVIGEAR ® to upgrade more automated baggage handling systems in the United States in the future. Construction work is already underway for a new conveyor system for handling baggage in arrivals at the same Terminal 4 in Los Angeles.
