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WITTUR simulates elevator machines

Wittur Electric Drives GmbH

WITTUR Electric Drives GmbH ensures comfort during elevator travel. It uses CADFEM simulation solutions to achieve maximum elevator machine running smoothness.

WITTUR simulates elevator machines

The Wittur Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of components for elevator construction. The company was established in 1968 as Wittur Aufzugteile GmbH & Co. KG. Today, the company is represented by subsidiaries and branch offices in Europe, Asia and South America.
After starting out exclusively as a manufacturer of elevator doors, Wittur developed into a company that makes all elevator components – particularly elevator doors, motors, safety components, elevator cars/cabs and shaft accessories. Wittur also offers complete elevator systems.
Wittur Electric Drives GmbH in Dresden has been producing innovative drive solutions for more than 20 years and is the center of excellence for electric motors within the Wittur Group. Advanced simulation technology is playing an increasingly important role in product development – for calculating magnetic circuits and for strength analyses, for example.

WITTUR and CADFEM

In 2013, Wittur Electric Drives GmbH decided to implement simulation technology in the product development process. Its aims were, in particular, to further increase the company’s innovative strength, improve quality and make material savings. Fanny Fischer, a qualified engineer who is now responsible for performing electromagnetic calculations relating to motors, was also involved in selecting the simulation software and the provider. Several options were examined in depth.
CADFEM was ultimately chosen as the solution partner and the company opted to use CADFEM’s Ansys Maxwell software. Fanny Fischer mentions the fact that Ansys supports several physical disciplines as one of the main criteria that influenced Witter’s decision. Witter’s team was also impressed by CADFEM’s comprehensive range of numerical simulation services and the quality of its support even during the test phase – particularly by providing intense training and user support.

Cutting costs by performing simulations

After a short time, Witter recorded simulation successes. For example, Fanny Fischer uses simulation results to design magnetic circuits to implement brand-new sheet metal cutting geometries, which she uses to minimize torque ripple – and thus to significantly improve motor running smoothness. Simulation is also used to investigate the overload behavior of the relatively expensive permanent magnets. An optimized design means the magnets can be made thinner, which saves on material, reduces weight and cuts costs.
Following its positive experience with electromagnetic simulation, Wittur started performing structural mechanics simulation, to investigate the strength and stiffness of the motor housing, for example. Then the simulation technology was particularly helpful in the development of a new drive series, as the planned elevator machines were larger than all the previous series, measuring 1.4 m in diameter. The experience gained from designing earlier machines could therefore only be drawn on to a limited extent.

Comprehensive support from CADFEM

CADFEM accompanied the development of this new drive series by providing consulting and simulation services. A basic training course attended by five Wittur employees was the first measure taken, and then the simulation models were set up. CADFEM regularly supported this process locally – including by providing practical tips and tricks. CADFEM calculated the fully prepared simulation models by itself as it had higher computing power at its disposal.
Wittur also works regularly with CADFEM to compensate for peak loads and completely outsources simulation projects. All the analysis data and the workflow developed from consulting are then sent back to Wittur, so the expertise is relayed back to the client.