12/18/2023

More independence from global supply chains

In uncertain times, it is particularly important for companies to check their supply chains for risks. Dunkermotoren, a brand of AMETEK, is investing heavily in measures to reduce geographical dependencies in their motor production in 2023. Thus, the company is making a significant contribution to an improved supply security for their customers.

Back to local – Adapted supply chain for rare earth magnets

Today, rare earth materials such as neodymium and dysprosium are generally used to manufacture particularly powerful magnets. The extraction of these raw materials, as well as the production of the magnets themselves, takes place almost exclusively in Asia.

As a result, most motor manufacturers are dependent on individual, distant suppliers for their material supplies. At Dunkermotoren, rare magnet materials are used in synchronous motors of the BG series as well as the linear motors of the SL family. To avoid serious supply failures, the drive technology manufacturer launched a program in 2020 to reduce this dependency.

As one result, Dunkermotoren is has converted the first series to rare earth magnets composed of a minimum of 75% recycled materials in the production process in 2023. And best of all, performance and other key motor properties are not affected by this change.

What if rare earth magnets are skipped completely?

In addition to securing a supply of critical materials, Dunkermotoren is currently developing brushless DC motors completely without rare earth materials. These motors do not yet achieve the same power density as comparable motors with rare earth magnets and will therefore not be included in the company´s standard portfolio for the time being. But, in case of supply bottlenecks, this alternative would be available quickly and in high volumes.

The Dunkermotoren portfolio of brushed DC motors with ferrite magnets from Europe, as well as the completely magnet free universal motors are also an alternative for a wide range of applications. To be able to offer its customers even more sustainable options in the future, Dunkermotoren is working closely with partners dedicated to the development of alternative motor concepts and magnetic materials.

Flexibility thanks to modularity

An essential part of Dunkermotoren's smart servo motors are the integrated controllers based on the own "Motor Control Platform" (MCP). The MCP is a modular concept used in all Dunkermotoren's smart BG motors and some external electronics, enabling the programming of various parameters and safety functions.

Many of the electronic components used can be replaced quite easily in the event of availability bottlenecks. In contrast, microcontrollers, driver ICs, and switching regulators, for example, are difficult to replace. In 2023, Dunkermtooren has set itself the goal of reducing the availability risk of microcontrollers. They represent the heart of the control electronics.

For this purpose, Dunkermotoren relies on a multi-chip strategy, making the company more independent of individual manufacturers. The modular structures of the MCP enable the use of alternative microcontrollers across all series with manageable effort.

Back to the roots – shopping locally

Magnets and electronics are certainly the most critical components in terms of global dependencies. But a close relationship with European suppliers is also important to Dunkermotoren for all other components. Thus, the German drive technology manufacturer continues this regional relationship in the production process of its motors – and produces where the product is needed. For example, as of 2023, all motors sold in Europe are produced exclusively in our European facilities. Products from the Dunkermotoren plant in China are sold exclusively in Asia. Additionally, the materials used are also increasingly sourced locally.

This way, Dunkermotoren can reduce global dependencies on individual suppliers and minimize transport routes and times in order to offer its customers the best possible security of supply while reducing its environmental footprint.