New Mitsubishi Electric EM-A Motors: Efficiency that Changes Everything
In today’s industrial environment, staying competitive means more than simply cutting costs. Manufacturers are being challenged to increase efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and future-proof their operations, often all at once.
While many focus on large capital investments or process overhauls, there’s a more immediate and impactful opportunity hidden in plain sight - electric motors. These workhorses of industry consume nearly 70% of all electricity used in industrial facilities, and every percentage point of efficiency matters.
That’s why Mitsubishi Electric developed the EM-A motors - a new class of high-performance motors designed to exceed today’s toughest efficiency standards and deliver long-term savings where it counts most.
What Makes Mitsubishi EM-A Motors Different?
Choosing a motor isn't just a technical decision, it's a business one. With EM-A Motors, Mitsubishi Electric introduces a motor that pushes the boundaries of performance, reliability, and control. These aren't incremental improvements, they're a rethinking of what industrial motors can and should do.
Key Features of Mitsubishi EM-A Motors:
- Ultra-premium energy efficiency - surpasses IE5, ready for a future IE6 standard
- Sensor-less control - delivers accurate, servo-like performance without external sensors
- High torque and overload capacity - allows right-sizing rather than oversizing
- Compact, robust design - ideal for demanding, space-constrained environments
It's easy to underestimate the value of small improvements, but in industry, 1% more efficiency can lead to dramatic outcomes. A slightly more efficient motor running 24/7 quickly outpaces its less efficient counterparts in both cost and energy savings. Multiply that across hundreds of motors in a single plant, and the gains become impossible to ignore.
Here's What the Numbers Say:
- Replacing a 2.2 kW IE3 motor with an EM-A saves 450 kWh/year
- In a facility with 500 motors, over 5 years, that equates to 1,125 MWh saved.
- At €0.20 per kWh, the result is a reduction in operating costs of up to €225,000
And that's just from upgrading IE3 motors. If you're still operating on IE2, the potential savings are even higher, both in kWh and extra cash in your pocket.
"One percent better efficiency sound small, but when that motor runs constantly for
years, and when you multiply it across hundreds of motors, those small percentages
become serious money."
- Wojciech Bracha, Strategic Product Manager for AC Drives in the EMEA region
Ideal for a Wide Range of Applications
Not all motors are created equal, and not every motor fits every job. EM-A Motors have been designed with versatility in mind, offering premium performance across a variety of industries and applications. This flexibility makes it a compelling option for manufacturers seeking to standardise on fewer, more efficient motor models.
Common Applications for Mitsubishi EM-A Motors Include:
- Material Handling Systems - conveyors, sorters and lifts
- Utility Drives - pumps, fans and compressors
- Precision Applications - packaging, positioning and automated assembly lines
Thanks to high dynamic performance and built-in control intelligence, EM-A motors can adapt to varying loads without compromising efficiency or reliability.
Tramec - A New Partnership for Integrated Drive Solutions
To meet the growing demand for highly efficient and integrated drive systems, Mitsubishi Electric has formed a strategic partnership with European gearbox manufacturer Tramec. The collaboration focuses on developing next-generation gearmotors that combine Mitsubishi Electric's ultra-efficient EM-A motors with Tramec's high-performance gearboxes.
This alliance enables the delivery of complete drive systems that offer not only outstanding energy efficiency but also simplified machine design. For Machine Builders, it means building more compact, stable machines that meet modern performance and sustainability standards. For end users, the benefits are equally compelling: lower operational costs, increased system reliability, and reduced downtime thanks to sensor-less vector control and stable speed under variable loads.
"This partnership is a milestone in our commitment to future energy optimisation
across industrial sectors. By combining EM-A motors with Tramec's high-efficiency
gearboxes, we're delivering integrated solutions that support both business performance
and environmental responsibility."
- Wojciech Bracha
Lower Complexity, Higher Reliability
Modern industrial systems demand not only efficiency, but also simplicity. The EM-A motor's sensor-less vector control allows it to deliver high-precision performance without encoders or feedback sensors, simplifying design, reducing wiring, and lowering installation and maintenance costs.
This translates into a reduced total cost of ownership, while also increasing system stability. With fewer components to fail or calibrate, you gain greater reliability and more predictable uptime - a key advantage in time-sensitive operations.
Sustainability as Strategy
Sustainability isn't just about compliance, it's becoming a driver of business value. Motors contribute up to 50% of global electricity use, and many facilities still rely on outdated IE2 or unclassified motors that lose energy as heat and friction. These inefficiencies directly inflate energy bills and carbon footprints.
As Wojciech Bracha from Mitsubishi Electric said in the Sustainable Manufacturing podcast, "If you can't measure something, you cannot manage it - and the same standards for energy. As long as you are not measuring your energy usage in a continuous way, you can't say you are managing it." Without continuous monitoring, there's no way to truly optimise usage or identify meaningful savings opportunities. It's not just about having energy-efficient hardware, but about knowing how and when energy is being used, and acting on that insight.
Mitsubishi EM-A Motors offer a practical solution to help:
- Cut energy consumption
- Lower CO₂ emissions
- Meet or exceed regulatory requirements
In short, it's a smart investment. Not just in energy savings, but in corporate responsibility and future competitiveness.
Discover How Much You Can Save
Making the switch to EM-A motors doesn't require overhauling your entire production line. It's a simple change with measurable results. Fill in the form and we'll help you understand the exact impact EM-A motors could have in your facility, from energy usage and financial savings to emission reductions.
|
|
PDF Downloads:
Select Your Mitsubishi EM-A Motor
Check Out these Videos!
|
