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NEWS
(for archived news, 2004-2006, click here)
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June 2009
Switched Reluctance Drives Provide Improved Solutions for High Starting Torque and Variable Speed Control in Severe Mining Applications
Synergy Engineering Ltd. and Switched Reluctance Drives Ltd (SRDL, a Subsidiary of Emerson Electric Co.) today [June 4]announced their agreement to cooperate in the delivery of Switched Reluctance solutions to the Mining and the Materials Handling sectors.
Through a licensing arrangement, Synergy now has access to SRDL's core SR Drives® motor and control technology and existing designs, enabling Synergy to integrate the benefit of Switched Reluctance technology into engineered drive solutions for its Mining and Materials Handling customers around the globe.
Open-pit mine owners worldwide can expect immediate benefit from the integration of SR Drives® motor and control technology to provide higher torque over wider speed ranges, unlimited starts per hour, significantly extended stall times and higher efficiencies – all in a smaller package.
Furthermore, the absence of in-rush currents coupled with the fault tolerant power electronics provides a higher margin of reliability with reduced down-time and minimum sizing of up-stream power requirements.
Additional financial benefits to end-users are expected from reduced overall maintenance costs, simplified drive-trains and improved environmental performance.
Initially, Synergy will be responding to existing inquiries for SRDL's SR solutions in low to medium power applications such as feeders, and harsh environment traction and torque control applications, such as take-up winches.
The SR Drives® motor and control system is expected to become the first practical and cost effective alternative to a number of hydraulic drive applications.
For 20 years, Synergy has focused on creating innovative drive solutions to the unique application challenges of their customers in the Mining sector and in other large material handling industries.
For further information, contact:
R.W. Neuman, President, Synergy Engineering Ltd.
604.464.3663
R.J. Blake, Managing Director, Switched Reluctance Drives Ltd.
44.0.1423.845200
www.srdrives.com
What is Switched Reluctance Technology?
The Switched Reluctance system comprises a simple brushless motor with a dedicated electronic controller. Torque is produced by the magnetic attraction of a steel rotor to stator electromagnets. No permanent magnets are needed, and the rotor carries no "squirrel cage" or windings.
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Rotor and stator from a three-phase
SR Drive® motor. |
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Torque production within the
Switched Reluctance motor. |
The rotor's position relative to the stator is detected using a simple hardware sensor or by electronic "sensorless" means. The controller then energizes each stator winding only when it can produce useful torque. By suitable timing of the stator excitation, the machine can operate as a motor or generator, with exceptional efficiency over a wide range of speed and torque.
Why Use SRDL's Switched Reluctance Technology?
Thanks to its inherent simplicity, SRDL's Switched Reluctance system is – both mechanically and electrically – highly robust. Properly designed and controlled, the motor yields high efficiency across a very wide range of load conditions, and outperforms conventional technologies in most applications – especially where high-starting torque, high-speed and/or wide constant power speed range are needed.
Low energy losses in both the rotor and power electronics eases thermal management and enhances reliability and efficiency, whilst the compact stator windings permit great flexibility in motor shape.
In both standard and custom designs, SRDL's Switched Reluctance systems offer uniquely flexible, high-performance and cost-effective variable-speed solutions for all applications.
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Typical Industrial SR
Drive® motor and power
converter – 180kW /
400Vac supply. |
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SR Drive® motors for many
applications – all shapes, sizes
and power levels. |
About Synergy Engineering Ltd.
Synergy Engineering Ltd. is recognized as a world leader in the design and manufacture of custom built, large electrical drive systems. For 20 years Synergy has focused on providing effective solutions to the unique drive system application challenges of their customer in the Mining sector and in other sectors challenged by special large material handling applications.
In 2003, Synergy Ingenería Limitada was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary based in Santiago, Chile. In 2007, Synergy added a field service team in Antofagasta to further improve support of its customers in Chile's Northern Mining sector.
About Switched Reluctance Drives Ltd. (SRDL)
Switched Reluctance Drives Ltd. (SRDL) is a leading engineering and technology provider in the field of advanced electrical machines and drives systems, with a particular focus on Switched Reluctance technology. The company has pioneered the development, application and commercialization of Switched Reluctance technology under its SR Drive® trademark and is now the world leader in this area.
The SR Drives Group is based on a single site in Harrogate UK and comprises two operating companies: Switched Reluctance Drives Ltd. (SRDL), and SR Drives Manufacturing Ltd. (SRDML). Both companies are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Emerson Electric Co. of St. Louis, Missouri.
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April 2009
Design Fundamentals for Drive Systems on Conveyors
By Luke Meakin and Peter Saxby, Hatch
The combination of a number of factors can result in conveyor drives being undersized or operating in an unsuitable manner. Some of these factors include:
- The trend to reduce drive sizes by reducing friction coefficients.
- The trend towards using squirrel cage induction motors under variable voltage variable frequency controls combined without considering the drive characteristics.
(Click here to see
the Meakin/Saxby PDF.)
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October 2008
Open-pit Mine Production Efficiency to Improve as Larger TowHaul Lowboys Become Available in the 800- to 1500-ton Range
Synergy Engineering Ltd. and TowHaul Corporation (dba Smith Equipment, USA) today announced their agreement to cooperate in the delivery of electrically driven lowboys and tow vehicles with significantly larger haulage capacity than any previously available.
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Open-pit mine owners around the world expect immediate benefit from the use of these larger haulers, improving the availability and utilization of their mine heavy equipment, permitting increased flexibility in mine planning, resulting in significant increases in production and mineral recovery.
Additional financial benefits are expected from reduced overall maintenance costs, along with positive impacts to safety and the environment.
TowHaul and Synergy have collaborated for more than 15 years in the development of large (800- to 1500-ton) lowboys, with Synergy focusing on the drive requirements utilizing existing and new electric propulsion systems familiar to the mining industry today. Synergy and TowHaul have now formalized their relationship whereby Synergy has the exclusive marketing rights for large electrically driven lowboys in Chile and Canada.
Synergy's expertise in large engineered electrical drive systems and TowHaul’s expertise in the mechanical design and supply of large lowboys and tow vehicles (using their patented gooseneck design) bring together the best technology available for the supply of large lowboys and tow vehicles.
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For further information, contact:
R.W. Neuman, President, Synergy Engineering Ltd.
604.464.3663
Kim Wild, President & G.M., TowHaul Corporation
406.388.3424
www.towhaul.com
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June 2008
Synergy Engineering Ltd. a Finalist in "Top 25" BC Export Companies in 2008 BC Export Awards
For the second time in the past five years, Synergy Engineering Ltd. has been named a finalist in the BC Export Awards for its innovative approaches and unique contributions as a BC exporter.
This year, Synergy Engineering has been named to BC’s Top 25 Export companies by the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, and is further nominated as one of the top 3 exporters in British Columbia in the "Professional and Services” sector. The winner will be selected on November 21, 2008.
The BC Export Awards annually seeks out BC's Top 25 Exporters and honours them for their excellence and achievement in nine categories, including seven directed at firms and two at individuals. The Awards is co-hosted by the Government of British Columbia and the BC Division of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters and is the oldest awards ceremony of its kind in Canada.
The Top 25, selected from a total of 450 nominations, demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the growth of the province's economy and have further strengthened our position in the global export market.
Synergy has been nominated for BC Export Awards on three earlier occasions, and was honoured as a finalist in the Manufacturing sector in 2004.
To see the notification from the BC Export Awards committee, including names of the other Top 25 finalists, click here.
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May 2008
Synergy Rates Feature Article in Alberta's Report Magazine
From a green-fields venture to a drive-control systems world leader.
As a natural consequence of becoming a well know and respected engineered drive solution supplier to companies in Alberta's Oil Sands, Synergy Engineering Ltd recently attracted the attention of Alberta's Report Magazine.
Their initial interest lead to the publication of a feature article in early 2008 which included recognition of Synergy as a world leader in the design and manufacture of safe, reliable, custom-built large drive-control systems for mining and other sectors challenged by special large material handling applications.
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May 2008
Synergy Engineering Ltd. Nominated for 2008 BC Export Award
For the fourth time in its history, Synergy Engineering Ltd. has been nominated for recognition for its innovative approaches and unique contributions in export markets.
The 2008 BC Export Awards recognize the innovative approaches and unique contributions of British Columbia export companies across all sectors and in all regions of the province, as well as the individuals who contribute to their success.
For the year 2008, Synergy has been nominated for award in the Professional & Services sector, which includes companies and organizations that provide expert advice, technical support or educational programs to international customers.
The BC Export Awards annually seeks out BC's Top 25 Exporters and honours them for their excellence and achievement in nine categories, including seven directed at firms and two at individuals. The Awards is co-hosted by the Government of British Columbia and the BC Division of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters and is the oldest awards ceremony of its kind in Canada.
The Top 25, selected from a total of 450 nominations, demonstrate an unwavering commitment to the growth of the province's economy and have further strengthened our position in the global export market.
To be eligible the company must have:
- Produced goods or services that have significant Canadian content.
- Earned foreign exchange.
- Been operating for a minimum of two years and have entered a new market within the last three years.
Successful nominees have the following attributes:
- Has a sound capital base with sufficient working capital to support their export activity.
- Demonstrated significant year-to-year percentage growth in value of export sales or increased sales volume over the past year.
- Demonstrated ability to overcome obstacles or other unique challenges in entering new international market.
- Demonstrated quality of their export plan through use of innovation and strategies to promote brand awareness in their new market(s).
- Shown notable growth in their overall business as a direct result of entering that new international marketplace.
Synergy has been nominated for BC Export Awards on three earlier occasions, and was honoured as a finalist in the Manufacturing sector in 2004.
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February 2008
Synergy at 2008 SME Annual Meeting & Exhibit, Salt Lake City, USA
Synergy's Nicole Hampton, Manager – Drive Solutions, invited to be expert panel member for the SME's technical session on Design of Overland Conveyors. Nicole is recognized worldwide as a subject-matter expert for application-engineered Drive Systems.
At the February 2008 Annual Meeting of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration in Salt Lake City, Utah, Synergy's Nicole Hampton was invited to be a member of a panel of recognized industry experts for the well-attended technical short-course session "Optimum Selection of Belt Conveyor Drives."
As part of her contribution to that session, Nicole authored and presented a paper entitled "Design Fundamentals for Drive Systems on Conveyors."
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January 2008
Po Wong Appointed Controller of Synergy Engineering Ltd.
Synergy Engineering Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Po Wong as Controller.
Po has a CGA designation backed by a Bachelor's Degree of Business Administration from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. His solid experience in both manufacturing and service accounting in major international companies is coupled with hands-on experience of setting up and running multi-location operations in Canada.
Po has been in Controllership roles for a number of different operating businesses within ABB Canada and ABB China and most recently with the Utility Boiler business of Alstom Power.
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December 2007
Synergy at 2007 "Conveyors in Mining" Conference — Perth, Australia
Synergy's Nicole Hampton, Manager – Drive Solutions, Chairs Australian Conference on Conveyor Drives
At the request of Institute for International Research in Australia, Synergy's Nicole Hampton chaired the program on Conveyor Drive Design Considerations, held in Perth in December, 2007.
Following the conference, Nicole made a related presentation on Conveyor Drive design considerations specifically for the Hatch Engineering organization, web-cast to their offices throughout Australia.
Ms. Hampton is recognized worldwide as a subject-matter expert for application-engineered Drive Systems.
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October 2007
Synergy Engineering Ltd. Nominated for the 2008 Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award
The Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce has announced the slate of Nominees for their 2008 Business Excellence Awards. The nominees were recognized at a sold-out luncheon at the Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club on October 24th. There are six award categories this year, with Synergy being nominated in the "Outstanding Business of the Year" category.
To be eligible, a company must be a Tri-Cities business employing 35 or greater which has made an outstanding contribution in economic development, innovation and community service; displayed a positive social conscience, and key figure have been role models and demonstrated a leadership role within the business community.
The Chamber will celebrate the achievements of the finalists and will announce the winners of the awards at the 2008 Business Excellence Awards on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the Red Robinson Theatre, Coquitlam, BC.
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August 2007
Synergy Chile Celebrates Continued Growth
Much to the delight of companies in the heavy industrial sector in northern Chile, this year Synergy Chile has been able to recruit and deploy additional staff with domain expertise in the customer-critical areas of Instrumentation, Control, Communications and Human Machine Interface (HMI).
Synergy Chile is pleased to announce its continued growth, now with additional expert technical resources deployed in the Antofagasta area.
Synergy's customers in northern Chile include some of the world's largest operations involved in the many material handling aspects of mining, smelting, and leaching operations, as well as port facility customers with their own unique material handling challenges.
According to Allan Baus, Synergy Chile's General Manager, "The ongoing success of our customers continues to drive their increases in demand for Synergy's systems integration support and optimization service in the areas of Automation and Process Control. Synergy Chile has responded by augmenting its local support and response capabilities with additional manpower. Our new staff members bring to our customers added domain expertise in the customer-critical areas of Instrumentation, Control, Communications and Human Machine Interface (HMI)."
The latest additions to the core team of application specialists in engineered drive systems further enhance Synergy Chile's capabilities in responding to customer requests for further optimization of their automated material handling equipment and processes.
For further information, contact:
Allan Baus Piva
SYNERGY INGENIERIA LTDA.
Tel: 56.2.246 39 01
Fax: 56.2.95203 53
Cell: 56.9.837 54 03
E-mail: abp@synergy-eng.com
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July 2007
Synergy's David Atkinson Appointed to Formative Board of Canada Chile Business Association
The year 2007 marks the 10th anniversary of the Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA). The subsequent decade has seen a dramatic growth in the trade and investment ties between Canada and Chile.
In early 2007, The Canada–Chile Business Association was formed, as a cooperative initiative of the Chilean Ambassador to Canada (Hon. Eugenio Ortega), the Chile-Canada Chamber of Commerce (James Callahan, President) and Canadian business leaders with an interest in Chile (and in enhancing Chilean-Canadian relationships).
The vision of the CCBA includes the intention to foster and sustain strong trade and investment ties between Canada and Chile; to raise awareness of Chile and investment and trade opportunities between Chile and Canada in the Canadian business community; to promote new relations between both countries in different areas and sectors, to partner or associate with the Chilean-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and other similar organizations in Chile and Canada on matters of mutual interest; to promote dialogue between business, scientific, educational and other associations of different sectors in both countries, and to be a medium through which members may undertake collective consultation and co-operation with governments and other associations.
Synergy is pleased to announce that its Executive Vice President, David Atkinson, has been appointed to the formative Board of Directors of the organization.
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June 2007
Synergy Engineering Ltd. Nominated for a 2007 BC Export Award
For the third time in its history, Synergy Engineering Ltd. has been nominated for recognition for its innovative approaches and unique contributions.
The 2007 BC Export Awards recognize the innovative approaches and unique contributions of British Columbia export companies across all sectors and in all regions of the province, as well as the individuals who contribute to their success.
For the year 2007, Synergy has been nominated for award in the Manufactured Products sector, which includes companies that are engaged in secondary manufacturing or the production of value added components, machinery and/or equipment for industrial uses.
The BC Export Awards annually seeks out BC's Top 25 Exporters and honours them for their excellence and achievement in nine categories, including seven directed at firms and two at individuals. The Awards is co-hosted by the Government of British Columbia and the BC Division of Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters and is the oldest awards ceremony of its kind in Canada.
To be eligible the company must have:
- Produced goods or services that have significant Canadian content.
- Earned foreign exchange.
- Been operating for a minimum of two years and have entered a new market within the last three years.
Successful nominees have the following attributes:
- Has a sound capital base with sufficient working capital to support their export activity.
- Demonstrated significant year-to-year percentage growth in value of export sales or increased sales volume over the past year.
- Demonstrated ability to overcome obstacles or other unique challenges in entering new international market.
- Demonstrated quality of their export plan through use of innovation and strategies to promote brand awareness in their new market(s).Shown notable growth in their overall business as a direct result of entering that new international marketplace.
Synergy is delighted to have been nominated for a BC Export Award now on three occasions, and to have been selected as a finalist in 2004.
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Shu Li,
Manager, Logistics
& Procurement,
Synergy Engineering Ltd. |
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May 2007
Shu Li Appointed Manager, Logistics and Procurement of Synergy Engineering Ltd.
Synergy Engineering Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Shu Li as C Manager, Logistics and Procurement.
Ms Li brings to Synergy over 10 years of experience in international shipping, trade, customs clearance, tracking & trans-shipment logistics and project logistics management experience, as well as recent familiarity with large scale material logistics handling. Her early business years were spent in China, with her most recent years here in Canada in positions of increasing responsibility with companies that design, engineer and manufacture large scale industrial systems for a global customer base.
Shu is a graduate of BCIT's CITT Transportation and Logistics Management Program, holds degrees in Computer Science from the Science & Technology University Of China and in International Trade from Ji Lin University. Shu's multi-lingual capabilities include English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
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April 2007
Please Change the Contact Information in Your Files NOW!!
As a result of substantial growth in global demand for Synergy's capabilities
in the development and delivery of application-specific Engineered Drive solutions,
Synergy Engineering Ltd. is moving to a larger facility during the weekend of
April 14th, 2007.
Our new address will be:
Synergy Engineering Ltd.
135 Glacier Street
Coquitlam, BC V3K 5Z1
Canada
Telephone: 604.464.3663
Fax: 604.464.9399
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Rob Gilmaine,
Project Manager, Synergy Engineering Ltd. |
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January 2007
Rob Gilmaine Appointed as Project Manager
Synergy Engineering Ltd. is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Rob Gilmaine
as Project Manager.
Mr. Gilmaine brings to Synergy a depth of experience in engineering design, project-management,
maintenance management, and best-in-class service fulfillment platforms, backed
by exceptional strength in electrical & instrumentation technologies and
Quality practices.
Rob's plus-20-year successful track record in capital project management
and maintenance supervision has included such industrial and engineering icons
as Domtar, Stothert Engineering, MacMillan Bloedel and H.A. Simon – Tecsult
Engineering.
Bilingual in English and French, Rob is an Electrical Engineering Technician
educated in Montreal at the École Métropole Technique and the École Polytechnique,
and in Vancouver at BCIT.
Rob joined the Synergy team on January 2nd, 2007 and is based out of
the Port Moody office.
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