Identifying technology platforms and defining a standard architecture of variable speed drives opened for development of each element separately so that solutions would be useful also for future products and needs. Components and features are developed to fit in a broad range of products and products are able meet demands from OEM customers in a flexible and fast way. This concept supports our genius “mass customisation” production layout in the Graasten factory where individual customer specific VLT® variable speed drives are manufactured by means of a unique control software, driven directly from the customer order, entered on the Internet, with next day delivery.
The last three years Danfoss Drives has experienced the full impact of these changes of concepts. A new printed circuit board plant was opened and while modules were developed in parallel, new production lines were set up and tested. Prototypes were produced on the actual production lines, so both production and products were tested. At the same time promotion material and training programmes was prepared for introduction of members of the new generation of variable speed drives.
Norm Breaking Drive
The VLT® AutomationDrive FC 300 – the first from the new concept – broke standards. It covers the power range 0.25 to 1,200 kW and runs – due to the vast number of variants – any machine and application in automation, and the total number of possible variants that can be created by altering modules is 1.6 million. It is of course impossible to keep a stock with this number of variants, so mass customisation is a must.
Mass production of the basic components and production of modules in great numbers leads to competitive prices and with highly automated assembly, Danfoss Drives is able to produce, test and deliver unique customised drives within 24 hours.
Extensive User Influence on Development
Despite the fact that the new VLT® modular platform covers a wide range of performance levels and both simple and complex applications, it will be experienced as easy to install, commission, operate and service. Of course interfaces differ – with language as one example – but due to the modularity, all interfaces have the same basic structure, so operators will soon be familiar with it. The project team has developed the features of the user interface in close cooperation with a group of users from all levels and industries. These have influenced the development in several “loops” starting with a very creative brainstorm-like process and ending with test of the prototypes. This was to ensure that purchasing, installing, commissioning, operating and servicing the drives would be child’s play.
Child’s Play
As the drive itself helps – self protecting, early warning, quick set-up, automatic motor adaptation, set up software, and so on – it was obvious to choose “child’s play” as the concept to communicate product values in the marketing of the AutomationDrive. This conclusion has been carried through using toys to illustrate the product values: a toy railroad turntable connecting the engine to “any application”; a reliable rocking horse that keeps rocking and rocking and rocking; modular toy bricks you can combine any way you want and an intelligent maze game that steers the steel ball “round any problem”.
The point was proven at the Hannover Fair, where our playroom stand with its huge toy steam engine and big bricks in warm and bright colours stood out in contrast to other automation exhibitors’ cold high-tech look and made it an item in the German TV company NDR’s report from the fair.
A Step Forward from a Strong Position
Danfoss Drives has a strong position among the leading drive suppliers in the world. This position is strengthened. Danfoss Drives gains market shares and in the same time makes considerable investments in production facilities and development.
Danfoss was the first to produce and market drives in 1968. With the FC series the company is still one step ahead.
