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  • Increase Energy Efficiency With MagnaDrive Magnetic Torque Transfer Technology

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  • Reduce Your Cost of Ownership With MagnaDrive Adjustable Speed Drives

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  • Eliminate Harmful Vibration With MagnaDrive Magnetic Couplings

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SYNCHRA

The Synchra™ Series from MagnaDrive™ harnesses the power of a no-contact, magnet-to-magnet synchronous connection

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OUR TECHNOLOGY

MagnaDrive’s patented technology uses high power Neodymium-Iron-Boron permanent magnets to create an induced magnetic force used for torque transfer.

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WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTORS

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ABOUT US

WHY MAGNADRIVE?

MagnaDrive couplings and Adjustable Speed Drives replace the physical connection between motor and load with a gap of air. This air gap eliminates harmful vibration, wear and tear, enhances energy efficiency, increases motor life and protects equipment from overload damage.

Some of the features and benefits of this technology include: MagnaDrive’s revolutionary disconnected torque-transfer technology reduces your total cost of ownership by lowering maintenance and operating costs, increasing process availability, and improving system reliability.

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PRODUCTS

MagnaDrive
 

SYNCHRA

The Synchra™ Series from MagnaDrive™ harnesses the power of a no-contact, magnet-to-magnet synchronous connection.

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MagnaDrive
 

FIXED SPEED COUPLINGS

The MagnaDrive coupling product line is targeted at constant speed applications for 2 to 4,000

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MagnaDrive
 

PERMANENT MAGNET CONSULTING SERVICE

Do you have a specific process problem to solve, or an idea that requires further research and development?

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MagnaDrive
 

ADJUSTABLE SPEED DRIVE

The MagnaDrive Adjustable Speed Drive (ASD) is breakthrough speed control technology designed to reduce your total cost of ownership

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MagnaDrive
 

MEDIA

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10

Offices
Worldwide

10

Refineries &
Operations

5700

Satisfied
Employees

22

Awards &
Recognitions

Total Cost of Ownership

When compared to alternative drives or constant torque couplings MagnaDrive products offer:

  • Increased process system reliability.
  • Lower maintenance cost for motor, seals and bearings.
  • Reduced operational downtime.
  • Substantial energy savings.
  • Extended life of critical productive assets.

OUR BLOG

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Product Selection Chart

VoltageRated Power @ 1800 RPMPermanent MagnaDrive  (PMD)Hydraulic Fluid Coupling
(HC)
Variable Frequency Drive  (VFD)
380 V< 150 KWEfficient ExpensiveNot Efficient
Expensive
Efficient
Not Expensive
3.3/6.6 KV150 – 460 KWEfficient
Not Expensive
Not Efficient
Expensive
Not Efficient
Expensive
3.3/6.6 KV460 KW – 3000 KWEfficient
Not Expensive
Efficient
Not Expensive
Not Efficient
Expensive
3.3/6.6 KV> 3000 KWUnder developmentEfficient
Not Expensive
Not Efficient
Expensive

VFD, Permanent MagnaDrive, and Fluid Coupling for Power

In the current market, VFD’s are dominating under 150kW for its price, efficiency and performance.  Permanent MagnaDrive couplings, (PMD) is dominating over 150kW up to 460 kW for its price, efficiency and performance.  With applications over 460 kW up to 3000 kW, PMD and Hydraulic Fluid Couplings are competing with each other.  Hydraulic fluid couplings, (HC) are dominating applications over 3000 kW.

The Chart below shows a comparison of PMD products for the power range of 150 kW – 460 kW.

ASD product Comparison for 150kW – 460 kW @ 1800 rpm

Power Range: 150kW – 460 kW
(200HP – 600HP)
Permanent MagnaDrive         (PMD)Variable Frequency Drive         (VFD)Hydraulic Fluid Coupling (HC)Note
Product Efficiency95 ~ 97%96 ~ 99%83 ~ 87%VFD’s loss due to heat is 5 ~ 10%.
System Efficiency95 ~ 97%91 ~ 94%90 ~ 85% 
Energy SavingShaft Power x speed^2 ÷ Magna EfficiencyShaft Power x speed^3 ÷ VFD EfficiencyShaft Power x speed^2 ÷ Fluid coupling EfficiencyBased on shaft power basis.
Maintenance cost3%20%15%MagnaDrive product structure is a simple.
Life ExpectancyOver 30 years10 yearsOver 30 yearsPMD provides vibration reduction that contribute life extension.
Capital Investment CostLowMediumHigh 
Space required (distance)0.1 ~ 0.9 meter5 ~ 10 meter1.5 ~ 2.5 meter 
Estimated ROI0-3 YearsMore than 3 yearsMore than 3 years 

PMD products and Fluid couplings are frequently used for fans and pumps over 460 kW up to 3000 kW.  Below shows the comparison between PMD and HC.

Permanent MagnaDrive vs Fluid coupling vs VFD over 460 kW up to 3000 kW.

ModelHydraulic Fluid Coupling (HC)Permanent MagnaDrive (PMD)Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)
How it works & principle of energy savingSaves Energy by varying the fluid amount  between driving and driven impeller. This controls the load side (driven side) speed resulting in energy savings.Saves energy by  varying the air gap between driving and driven magnet rotor, This controls the load side (driven side) speed resulting in energy savings.By varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the electric motor.
Main componentsFluid coupling, heat exchanger, actuator, cooling water line, working oil line.Magnetic coupling, actuator.Electrical control cabinet.
ProsVery good for speed control on high speed, very large capacity applications over 10,000 kW motorsincluding turbines, Ships etc..Reduces vibration significantly because of torque transfer through an air gap. Up to 80% vibration reduction is possible.  Proven to extend the life of bearings, seals and rotating equipment, forgiving on misalignment (25/100mm). Very good for process control, provides excellent starting times. Provides a cushion start. Low and short inrush currents from the motor leads to extended motor lifeReduced energy consumption. Easy starting and stop conditions.
ConsLow efficiency at low speed.
Electricity consumption on oil cooling pump. The cost of installation is high.
The cost of periodic maintenance is very high.  Environmental concerns on oil that needs to be discarded.
Noise level is high (3600rpm, ~95㏈)
(1800rpm, 87 ㏈ )
Can affect power quality of power supply..  Harmonic distortion from VFD can cause bearing fluting damage bearings.  Requires large foot print.
Installation Space (distance)1.5~2.5 M0.1~0.9M3.0M or more
Life30 yearsOver 30 years10-20 years
MaintenanceNeeds significant maintenance every 5~7 years.Needs moderate maintenance every 5~7 years.Needs high maintenance every 5~7 years.
Delivery8~10 months2~3 monthsN/A
Bearing, seal, equipment life extension?No, Fluid coupling does NOT extend equipment life. Causes higher stress due to vibration and misalignment.  This leads to a lower life expectancy for bearings, seals and rotating equipment.  Increased friction due to vibration can also cause system power loss.  Yes, PMD couplings extend the life of rotating equipment.
Due to air gap, reduced vibration and a higher misalignment tolerance the life of bearings, seals, and equipment is extend.
No, VFD does NOT extend the life of rotating equipment. Instead it may cause bearing fluting over time leading to shorter electric motor life.
InstallationRequires laser alignment between motor and the load side.Even with a relatively big misalignment, PMD ASDs can operate with no problem and eliminate vibration and stress caused by misalignment because it transmits torque by non-contact through an air gap.
Can be used for almost any kind of industrial motor.
Requires high level of electrical experience for full electrical system integration.  There is no alignment benefit at all.
Operation, MaintenanceThere exists multiple unstable operating points.  Spare parts are expensive and maintenance costs are very high. There are cavitation and vibration issues. Frequent oil leaks are a very common problem and always troublesome.
Frequent damage to bearings and seals.
No protection against overload situation
Energy savings and is a Green product.
Very efficient torque transmission. Very simple operation and maintenance.
Reduces vibration dramatically
Extends the life of bearings, seals and rotating equipment.
NO EMI (Electromagnetic Interference).
Low inrush current contributes to increased motor life.
Can operate at the most efficient operating point
Moderate periodic maintenance during operating lifetime. Most VFDs require bus capacitor replacement every 5-7 years.
System efficiency and energy savingEfficiency is either average or below average. Energy being wasted due to increased load when controlling fluid movement.Efficiency is very good, about 97%. No efficiency loss due to any accessory equipment.
Process control can be done easily just by changing air gap. Energy can be saved due to load reduction on motor. All MD ASDs provide low and short inrush current that not only protects motors but also contribute energy savings.
Very good efficiency when operating a high motor load but efficiency decreases with decreasing motor load.
Sweet Spot460KW ~ 3000kW, especially over 3000 KW460KW ~ 3000 KWNo sweet spot for this power range
PriceHydraulic Couplings are price competitive for 460KW up to 3000KW. MagnaDrive (PMD) is price competitive with HC for 460 KW up to 3000 KW.Price is NOT competitive for this power range (extremely high price).