CASE STUDY:  

Faster Retrofit with Added Efficiency

Triangle Brick Increases Accuracy and Reduces Waste with MOVIMOT® Advanced Motor-Mount Inverter

Faced with aging drives, sourcing delays, and recurring brick misalignment issues that led to costly manual rework, Triangle Brick needed more than a one-to-one replacement; they needed reliability and accuracy. SEW-EURODRIVE answered with a MOVIMOT® Advanced inverter that reduced wiring, improved motion precision, and transformed a maintenance challenge into a plant-wide performance upgrade.

 Challenge:

Aging Drives, Rising Risk, and Manual Rework

At its pre-firing brick packaging station, Triangle Brick relied on aging competitor gearmotors and cabinet-mounted drives. The original system worked, but just barely:

  • Sourcing spares was nearly impossible; the gear unit quoted with a 6-month lead time
  • Over-complicated control panel wiring increased troubleshooting time
  • The stacking machine occasionally misaligns bricks, causing rows to collapse and forcing operators to stop and restack, wasting labor and product

What began as a simple replacement project quickly became an opportunity to streamline, modernize, and improve performance.

“We needed a replacement. What we got was a better system—cleaner, more accurate, and easier to maintain. Now we’re rolling it out across the plant.”
— Paul Maxwell, Director of Engineering, Triangle Brick

 

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BEFORE: Aging drive system
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AFTER: K Series with a MOVIMOT Advanced Inverter 

Solution:

Decentralized Intelligence With MOVIMOT® Advanced

SEW-EURODRIVE proposed MOVIMOT® Advanced, a compact, intelligent drive solution that integrates motor, brake, encoder, and frequency inverter into one unit. Mounted directly on the motor, it eliminated the need for a separate control cabinet and excess wiring.

Key Benefits:

  • Just two cables: power and Ethernet
  • 20% lower cost than cabinet drives
  • Faster install and easier programming via MOVISUITE® easy-to-use free software
  • Improved movement precision, reducing scrap and operator intervention

MOVIMOT® is SEW-EURODRIVE’s decentralized drive solution, combining a gear motor with an integrated frequency inverter, delivering variable-speed control directly at the motor. This eliminates the need for external control cabinets, simplifies wiring, and reduces installation time.

“We quoted both options, but once they saw how much wiring, labor, and cost MOVIMOT® Advanced saved—they said it was a no-brainer.”
— Mac Ellison, District Sales Engineer, SEW-EURODRIVE USA

 

SEW-EURODRIVE Advantage:

SEW-EURODRIVE’s MOVIMOT® Advanced—The Smart Choice for a Smarter Machine

Where other suppliers might have delivered a replacement gearmotor, SEW-EURODRIVE engineered a total solution. With deep experience in material handling, decentralized drive systems, and the brick and tile industry, SEW-EURODRIVE delivered not just parts, but a cleaner, smarter system. Triangle Brick has already ordered 12+ additional MOVIMOT® Advanced units for its new line.

Application Summary:

SEW-EURODRIVE Product(s):

  • K Series gear unit
    KA87B DRN112M4/BE5HR/DI/DFC/IV/EI8Z/D11/BW2/LN
  • MOVIMOT Advanced decentralized VFD on a  DRN112M4 (7.5 HP) motor with an incremental encoder (EI8Z) feedback
  • Communication via Ethernet/IP
    EI8Z incremental encoder with MOVILINK DDI Single-Cable Solution for power and communication
  • Tech Specs:
    Ratio is 126.91:1. (Speed adjusted via MOVIMOT® Control)
    Output torque rating: 20400 lb-in (2300 Nm)
    60mm keyed hollow shaft

Application Areas:

  • Heavy-duty material handling
  • Automated brick handling and stacking
  • Brick positioning feedback
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CUSTOMER:

Triangle Brick

INDUSTRY:

Brick Manufacturing

APPLICATION:

Pre-firing Brick Setting

PREVIOUS TECHNOLOGY:

Aging Drive System

SOLUTION:

K Series gear unit
MOVIMOT Advanced
EI8Z incremental encoder
MOVILINK DDI Single-Cable Technology

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About SEW-EURODRIVE

Founded in 1931 in Bruchsal, Germany, SEW-EURODRIVE is a global leader in Industrial Automation, with operations in over 50 countries, 17 manufacturing plants, 92 assembly facilities, and more than 21,000 employees. The company holds over 1,000 patents, continuously driving technological advancements in gearmotors, frequency inverters, servo drives, and Industry 4.0 solutions.

SEW-EURODRIVE provides engineered solutions in countless industries, including automotive, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, mining, steel, logistics, energy, and more, providing customized automation solutions that enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. Despite its global reach, SEW-EURODRIVE remains family-owned, ensuring long-term vision, strong values, and a commitment to excellence.

SEW-EURODRIVE. Driving the World™

SEW-EURODRIVE, Inc.
220 Finch Road
Wellford, SC 29385
(P): (864) 439-7537
cslyman@seweurodrive.com
www.seweurodrive.com 

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