Dorner Conveyor and Electric Torque Machines team up to provide progressive conveyor solutions to American Axle Manufacturing (AAM). AAM is realizing the advantages of smaller, yet more powerful direct drive motors in conveyor solutions designed by Dorner, using the advanced direct drive motor developed by Electric Torque Machines "ETM".

American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) is increasing functionality of its manufacturing operations as one of the early adopters of advanced conveyor motor technology. Leading the industry, AAM is realizing the advantages of smaller, yet more powerful direct drive motors in conveyor solutions designed by Dorner, using the advanced direct drive motor developed by Electric Torque Machines "ETM". As a global leader in the design, engineering, validation and manufacturing of driveline, metal forming, powertrain, and casting technologies, AAM is typically known for manufacturing large components such as axles and differentials, however, their St. Marys, Pennsylvania facility manufactures very small, lightweight parts used in many of their drivetrain systems. Transporting these parts from station to station within the work cell requires small, precise conveyors, where typical bulky, geared drive motors are not feasible. AAM found the solution to this space constraint by selecting Dorners Universal Drive featuring ETMs compact direct drive motor. ETM direct drive motors have exceptionally high continuous torque density, particularly at lower operating speeds, enabling smaller and lighter direct drive capability which eliminates the need for a bulky gearbox. Integrated into Dorners 2200 Universal Drive, which includes the motor, configurable motor mount and controller, reduces the size of the conveyors drive system by nearly 70% while increasing functionality and maintaining the power needed in a much smaller package.

"We chose Dorners Universal Drive primarily for its unique motor advantages. ETMs motor is smaller and lighter than the traditional AC drives. We are able to have the motors within designated working areas unguarded because the motor runs cooler whereas the AC drives are too hot to touch. The wide speed and torque range also gives us the versatility to use the Dorner Universal Drive on applications from slow pass-under vision to heavy accumulation to high speed part transfer.", states Michael Vandervort, Facilities Engineer at AAM. "At our facility, we use a lot of small conveyors and light loads. ETM was able to develop motor tunes to help stabilize our vision imaging on pass-under applications with very low torque requirements. ETMs drive package is a powerful unit with capabilities that make automating simple compared to traditional conveyor AC drive provisions available in the market. We really appreciate ETM working with us and developing solutions for our specific needs."

"Its energizing to work with such an industry leader as AAM and encouraging to see the industry ready to adopt new technologies. AAMs application provides an excellent example of the unique advantage offered by ETMs compact, direct drive motor" says Scott Reynolds, from Electric Torque Machines, Inc.