Three-pronged strategy for an integrated environmental response

It’s no surprise that Buehler Motor today is at the forefront of new developments of custom-made drive solutions that save energy and reduce emissions. Green tech for Buehler is an all-encompassing passion. Green tech does not only mean the design of drive solutions for environmentally friendly applications, but also for constant optimization of design, products, and processes to protect the environment as a whole.

The driving ambition for Buehler engineers is not only finding innovation solutions for demanding requirements, but also to develop exact-fit optimal solutions within the magic triangle of technological excellence, practical fit, and cost savings.

I. greentech production

For more than ten years an annually updated environmental life-cycle assessment has documented Buehler Motor’s progress towards ever-improving, environmentally conscious and resource preserving production.

• A certified environmental management system under ISO 14001 evidences Buehler Motor’s commitment to environmental protection and elimination of waste.

• No area is left out: energy used in lighting, climate control, and running of equipment, water consumption and waste water disposal, raw material usage, recycling and noise reduction.

• With an in-house training program, “Energy Conscious Manufacturing”, all employees are actively involved in constant improvements.

• However, environmental policies are not only limited to production. Constant improvements in Administration, Research and Development, and Sales are also high on the priority list.

II. greentech products

80 – 90% of the complete product life-cycle (material, production, energy, and waste) are determined in the design phase. Buehler Motor’s specially designed environmental protection program for research and development guarantees the focus on the environment as a whole right from the start.

• Constant use of finite element (FE)-simulations in all stages of development allows for load optimized design of components. Thus, for example, material use and weight can be minimized. Moreover, FE-simulation eliminates the need for cost- and time-intensive prototype testing.

• Innovative technologies, like for example the use of segmented stators for the newest generation of brushless ec4more motors, provide maximum efficiency and make it possible for our customers to replace AC or DC motors with smaller, lighter, and more efficient drive solutions.

• Continuous testing and control of many key characteristics is part of every design project at Buehler Motor and ensures that all customer-specific and environmental requirements are met from development to production to waste management.

III. greentech applications

Custom-made drive solutions by Buehler Motor contribute to the reduction of our carbon footprint in many different applications.

In the Automotive Industry local, precision drives help to fulfilling the demand of ambitious climate protection goals.

• Electrical drives for example, in oil pumps maintain oil pressure in start/stop automatic transmissions.

• Electrical water pumps maintain energy optimized thermal management in internal combustion engines or cool the batteries of hybrid and electric cars.

• As drives or pumps they are used in exhaust after-treatment and for controlling EGR valves.

• Modern, efficient drive technology is unthinkable without these solutions. They also contribute in efficiently directing gas flow in internal combustion motors.

• Buehler Motor pumps are found in innovative technology vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera, as well as the first completely electric vehicles in the sub-compact category, made by CODA Automotive, an environmental pioneer in the United States.

Moreover, many well-known General Industries companies, for example in the field of medical technology, building automation, office automation, and industrialization rely on Buehler designs.

• DC drives are used in shading buildings and as actuators for ventilation and climate control purposes.

• In low-energy housing they control the air exchange.

• They move solar panels into the proper position and in this way improve the panels’ efficiency and life time.

• Buehler gear motors minimize seed usage in agricultural equipment.

• In the Xerox ColorQube series of color printers they help reduce costs and waste by 90%.