Germany: Siemens is extending its Simogear portfolio with a new synchronous-reluctance drive system consisting of Simogear standard gear unit, Simotics reluctance motor and a Sinamics frequency converter for controlling speed. The product has an output range of 0.55 – 4kW and is available for Sinamics G110M, G120D, G120 and S120 converters.

The engineering company says that its efficiency class is comparable to IE4 and it is offers advantages in comparison to asynchronous motors when operating under partial load due to its greater efficiency and lower losses. In addition, the drive system is characterised by high dynamics due to the low moment of inertia and optimised control. An external fan is not required due to the constant torque/speed curve up to the nominal speed and the drive system is certificated to CE, UL/CSA and CCC is in preparation. It also says that commissioning is easy as the motor code can be entered into the convertor.

Siemens sells a portfolio of frequency converters, motors, couplings and gearboxes for many industries and applications, including the cement and mineral sectors.

Czech Republic: Cement Hranice’s sales grew in 2018 due to demand for building materials. Its sales rose by 10% year-on-year to Euro65.8m in 2018, according to the Czech News Agency. Its profit rose by 16% to Euro19.9m. As in previous years it supplied fellow subsidiaries of Buzzi Unicem in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

US: CalPortland has commissioned a new cement grinding mill and distribution system at its Oro Grande cement plant in California. The US$58.5m project includes the construction of the finish ball mill and two new cement shipping lanes with two new distribution silos. It completes a partial plant modernisation program that was originally completed in 2008, prior to the acquisition of the facility by CalPortland. The Oro Grande cement plant was purchased from Martin Marietta Materials in mid-2015.

“The addition of this modern finish mill and efficient distribution system allows the plant to operate to the best in class standards as originally designed. It will help provide the industry with the additional supply required for necessary rehabilitation and rapidly developing infrastructure in California and Nevada,” said Steve Regis, Senior Vice President Corporate Services, CalPortland.

The project began in January 2018 and was constructed by general contractor ThyssenKrupp and sub-contractor TIC (The Industrial Company), in collaboration with CalPortland’s Engineering Services team.

The mill is a Polysius two compartment mill with production capability of around 180t/hr. It is equipped with motor, mill and separator technology as well as cement cooler design technology. The system also employs mechanical conveyance (bucket elevator) to convey finished product to the new silos, reducing its energy requirements. These additional systems are being added to the Oro Grande plant.

Pakistan: Belorussian company Belaz has sold a dump truck to Pakistan for the first time. The 45t vehicle will be used to transport of gypsum and clay to a plant owned by Cherat Cement, according to the Dawn newspaper. It has been supplied via the distribution company Greaves. The cement producer plans to buy up to 15 such vehicles in the current year.