Gondola lift drives typically operate with power ratings ranging from 550 to 800 kilowatts and are subjected to constant load cycles. At the same time, depending on the location, the systems are exposed to extreme environmental conditions – ranging from temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius during winter operation to high humidity, heat, or salty air in tropical or coastal regions. Under such critical conditions, gear units, bearing technology, and lubrication must function with absolute reliability. Added to this are the typically confined installation spaces in the mountain or valley stations, as well as strict requirements regarding weight and installation space. This necessitates a high power density of the drive – that is, as much power as possible in the smallest possible space. Standard gear units quickly reach their limits here.

P-X.e: Designed for continuous operation at maximum capacity

With the P-X.e industrial gear unit series, SEW EURODRIVE, a leading global drive specialist, offers a solution specifically designed for high-performance applications. The combination of a two-stage planetary gear unit from the P2.e series and a single-stage bevel gear stage from the X.e series delivers high torque, excellent thermal performance, and maximum reliability.

“All these features – stronger gearing, durable bearings, and improved thermal performance – make our P-X.e an ideal mechanical foundation specifically for such nacelle drives,” emphasizes Henning Jeiszig, Product Manager for Industrial Gear Units at SEW-EURODRIVE. The compact P-X.e bevel-planetary gear unit impresses with its very high power density and is particularly suitable for weight-critical and confined installation situations. A FEM-optimized, rigid housing structure ensures high operational reliability even under varying loads and continuous stress.

Robust construction for a long service life

A key feature of the P-X.e planetary gear series is its durable direct bearing arrangement, which allows for the use of larger rolling bearings within the same installation space. This increases bearing service life by up to 75 percent, making it a decisive factor for applications under continuous load. At the same time, the precise bearing guidance reduces wear and increases stability under high thermal loads. Thanks to the advanced X.e gear technology and the optimized bevel gear stage, gear reliability is also increased by 50 percent. This additional performance reserve ensures greater robustness, particularly during load peaks, such as those that occur during startup or emergency stops.

SEW-EURODRIVE has also specifically optimized thermal management in the P-X.e series: A shared oil chamber and optional cooling concepts ensure up to 100 percent higher thermal safety. This ensures that the gear unit remains within the optimal operating window even during long operating times and significant temperature fluctuations.

Flexibly configurable and easy to maintain

Another advantage for designers and users is that the P-X.e series planetary gear units offer a wide range of configuration options. These include a selection of output shafts, torque supports, backstops, and cooling options. This allows the gear units to be precisely tailored to the specific application. The maintenance-friendly design also helps minimize downtime and contributes to the high availability of the entire system.

Digital transparency with DriveRadar®

The mechanical robustness of the P-X.e gear units is complemented by DriveRadar® for industrial gear units. This intelligent condition monitoring system continuously records all relevant parameters – such as temperature, vibrations, oil condition, and operating hours – during operation. This allows deviations to be detected early on, long before they become critical. For users, such as cable car operators, this means full transparency regarding the current condition of the gear unit, predictable service intervals, and condition-based, predictive maintenance. Unexpected downtime can be avoided, and system availability increases measurably.

An immersive VR experience featuring Brazil at HANNOVER MESSE

Henning Jeiszig is delighted to be able to showcase the solution in a striking way at HANNOVER MESSE in connection with this year’s partner country, Brazil: “A special highlight at our booth is an immersive virtual reality experience that brings the capabilities of the P-X.e gear series to life in a vivid and engaging way. Using state-of-the-art VR technology, trade fair visitors gain a detailed insight into the design and functionality of our industrial gear solution.” The virtual application combines a technical representation of the gear unit with a realistic cable car application set in Brazil: During a virtual gondola ride, visitors experience the drive technology in action under real-world operating conditions. The shift in perspective from the application to the global level underscores SEW-EURODRIVE’s worldwide presence and capabilities.

In addition, digital monitoring is brought to life with DriveRadar®. In the Mission Control Center at the SEW-EURODRIVE booth, relevant operating and status data from the drive solution are visualized and analyzed for demonstration purposes. This clearly illustrates how high-performance mechanical drive technology and digital services work together today to enable maximum availability, transparency, and planning reliability. With this combination of a real-world exhibit, digital condition monitoring, and an immersive VR experience, SEW-EURODRIVE underscores its commitment to designing demanding industrial applications that are not only technically reliable but also future-oriented and holistic.

About SEW EURODRIVE

Ever since it was founded in 1931, the family business SEW EURODRIVE GmbH & Co KG has been headquartered in Bruchsal, near Karlsruhe, in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany. Today, SEW EURODRIVE is one of the world's leading specialists in drive and automation technology, with around 22 700 employees, 18 production plants, and 92 assembly plants in 57 countries. As one of the leading companies in its field, SEW EURODRIVE keeps applications, processes, systems, and machinery moving in countless sectors – from airport logistics to industrial processes. With around 850 research and development staff, it is making an innovative contribution to shaping the future of drive technology. Proximity to customers is one of SEW EURODRIVE's top priorities. An extensive sales and service network provides professional advice on site and ensures the rapid availability of spare parts and repairs – anywhere in the world. Alongside its headquarters and production facilities in Bruchsal and its plant in Graben-Neudorf, the company operates 30 other sites across Germany.

About SEW-EURODRIVE in the partner country Brazil

When SEW EURODRIVE opened its first branch on the South American continent back in 1978 – over 48 years ago – in Brazil, many European beverage manufacturers who were SEW EURODRIVE customers also built new production plants overseas. The global manufacturer of drive technology components and customized automation solutions has now become a permanent fixture in this multicultural country. Key sectors in Brazil that use SEW EURODRIVE technologies include the sugar and ethanol industry, mining, and the automotive industry. Today, SEW EURODRIVE BRASIL, which has its national headquarters and a production plant in Indaiatuba (in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo), employs over 1700 staff at 18 locations, including two assembly plants in Rio Claro and Joinville. That makes Brazil the third-largest foreign subsidiary of the Bruchsal-based family company after China and France.