Lenze G-motion Geared Motors Are Being Replaced by the G500 Range
Many industrial machines still use Lenze G-motion geared motors and gearboxes. These units have been widely used across a range of industrial applications and are often still operating reliably after many years of service.
However, older Lenze G-motion products are now being replaced by the newer Lenze G500 geared motor range.
This can create a problem when an existing geared motor or gearbox needs replacing. The original type may no longer be available in the same configuration, and selecting a suitable replacement requires more than simply choosing a similar motor power.
Modern Drives & Controls can help identify and configure suitable replacements for older Lenze geared motors and gearboxes.
Which Lenze G-motion geared motors can be replaced?
The older Lenze G-motion range includes a number of different gearbox types, including:
- GKR
- GSS
- GKS
- GST
- GFL
- GPA
These geared motors and gearboxes were available in a wide range of configurations, ratios, mounting arrangements and output options.
The G500 range is now the modern Lenze geared motor platform, offering a modular range of helical, shaft-mounted, bevel and other geared motor configurations.
Why isn’t it always possible to simply order the same geared motor?
A geared motor is made up of several important elements working together.
Even if the motor power is correct, the replacement may not be suitable if other details are different.
For example, the following can all affect whether a replacement will fit and perform correctly:
- Gearbox type
- Motor voltage
- Motor power
- Motor speed
- Gear ratio
- Output speed
- Output torque
- Solid shaft or hollow bore
- Shaft or bore dimensions
- Foot or flange mounting
- Flange dimensions
- Mounting position
- Brake
- Encoder
- Frequency inverter
- Other application-specific options
This is why it is important to correctly identify the existing Lenze geared motor before selecting a replacement.
The nameplate is usually the best way to identify a replacement
The easiest and most reliable starting point is normally a photograph of the existing geared motor nameplate.
A clear photograph can provide important information about the existing unit and often allows us to identify the original configuration.
If possible, photographs of both the motor and gearbox nameplates are useful, particularly on older geared motor assemblies.
What if the nameplate is missing or unreadable?
A missing or damaged nameplate doesn’t necessarily mean that the geared motor cannot be identified.
In many cases, we can help configure a suitable replacement using the following information:
- Geared motor type – for example GKR, GSS, GKS, GST, GFL or GPA
- Voltage
- Motor power
- Motor speed (RPM)
- Gear ratio
- Output torque (Nm)
- Whether the gearbox has a solid shaft or hollow bore
- Shaft or hollow bore dimensions
- Whether the unit is foot or flange mounted
- Flange dimensions, where applicable
- Any additional equipment, such as:
- Encoder
- Brake
- Frequency inverter
- Other special options
The more information available, the easier it is to configure a replacement that is suitable for the existing machine.
Can the existing mounting arrangement be retained?
This is one of the most important things to consider when replacing an older geared motor.
The replacement needs to be suitable not only electrically and mechanically in terms of power and torque, but also physically compatible with the machine.
Depending on the existing installation, this can include checking:
- Shaft dimensions
- Hollow bore dimensions
- Flange dimensions
- Mounting arrangement
- Output position
- Gearbox orientation
- Overall dimensions
The aim is to select a replacement that provides the required performance while being as practical as possible to install on the existing machinery.
What is the Lenze G500 range?
The Lenze G500 range is the current geared motor platform and is designed around a modular system, allowing different gearbox and motor combinations to be configured for individual applications.
The range includes geared motor options with different gearbox configurations, motor powers, ratios, mounting arrangements and output designs. Lenze’s current G500 range also supports combinations with modern Lenze frequency inverter systems.
This makes the G500 range suitable for replacing many older Lenze geared motor applications.
However, the replacement should always be selected based on the specification of the existing unit and the requirements of the machine.
Replacing an old Lenze G-motion geared motor
If you have an older Lenze:
GKR, GSS, GKS, GST, GFL or GPA
geared motor or gearbox that needs replacing, the best starting point is to send us a photograph of the nameplate.
If a nameplate isn’t available, we can usually work from the technical information available from the existing geared motor and machine.
Modern Drives & Controls can help identify and configure a suitable replacement from the current Lenze geared motor range.
How Modern Drives & Controls can help
Modern Drives & Controls Ltd supplies Lenze geared motors and can assist with replacing older Lenze G-motion gear units.
Whether you have a complete nameplate, partial information or simply an existing geared motor that needs replacing, we can help work through the available information and identify a suitable modern configuration.
Where possible, a replacement can be configured around the requirements of the existing machine, including the required:
- Motor power
- Speed
- Gear ratio
- Output torque
- Shaft or hollow bore
- Mounting arrangement
- Brake
- Encoder
- Inverter requirements
If you have an older Lenze GKR, GSS, GKS, GST, GFL or GPA geared motor and need a replacement, contact Modern Drives & Controls with a photograph of the nameplate or the details available.