Case Study

Hiflex, a leading provider of agricultural and horticultural motor controlled applications in the Netherlands, recognised the need for versatile and reliable motor control solutions to optimise various processes across different farming and horticultural environments.

Traditional motor control methods often lacked the flexibility, efficiency, and environmental resilience required for demanding agricultural applications.

Key challenges included:

• Diverse Applications: Hiflex needed a VFD solution that could cater to a wide range of applications, including ventilation, feeding systems, egg belts, fogging systems, high-pressure pumps, manure scrapers, and conveyor belts.
• Harsh Environments: Agricultural and horticultural settings often expose equipment to dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures, requiring VFDs with robust enclosures and protective coatings.
• Ease of Use: Simple installation, configuration, and operation were essential for farmers and operators with varying technical expertise.
• Communication and Integration: The VFDs needed to support various communication protocols and integrate seamlessly with existing control systems.

 Solution

Hiflex, Invertek Drives sales and service partner in the Netherlands, implements a comprehensive range of VFD solutions utilising the Optidrive E3 and Optidrive P2 VFDs.

These versatile VFDs offer a combination of features and benefits that address the specific needs of each agricultural and horticultural application:

Poultry Shed

Optidrive E3 IP20 and IP66 VFDs controlled ventilation, feeding chains, and egg belts, providing easy operation via Bluetooth Optistick, 3C3 coating for corrosion protection, and ModBus RTU communication.

Greenhouse

Optidrive E3 IP66 VFDs managed fogging systems and high-pressure pumps, offering standard CANopen communication and IP66 protection against dust and moisture.

Cowshed and Piggery

Optidrive P2 IP66 VFDs with I/O modules powered manure scraper winches, utilizing the internal PLC for standalone control and high starting torque for efficient operation.

Cowshed and Piggery (Ventilation)

 Optidrive E3 IP66 VFDs replaced inefficient EC fans for ventilation, providing a compact solution with 3C3 coating and user-friendly operation.

Potato and Onion Storage

Optidrive E3 and Eco IP66 VFDs controlled ventilation boxes, offering IP66 protection, low harmonic distortion, and CANopen communication with dual RJ45 ports for flexible networking.

Barge Storage and Transfer

Optidrive P2 IP20 VFDs managed conveyor belts, providing easy installation, high starting torque, and auto-tuning capabilities for efficient material handling.

Overview

The implementation of Invertek Drives Optidrive VFDs across various agricultural and horticultural applications yielded significant benefits for Hiflex and their customers:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Precise motor control optimised energy consumption and reduced operational costs.
• Improved Productivity: Automated processes and reliable operation increased throughput and reduced manual intervention.
• Environmental Resilience: Robust enclosures and protective coatings ensured reliable performance in harsh conditions.
• Ease of Use: Intuitive interfaces and Bluetooth/wireless connectivity simplified operation and maintenance.
• Seamless Integration: Support for various communication protocols enabled easy integration with existing control systems.

Key Customer Benefits

• Increased productivity and efficiency across various agricultural and horticultural processes.
• Reduced energy consumption and operational costs.
• Improved reliability and longevity of equipment in harsh environments.
• Simplified operation and maintenance for farmers and operators.
• Enhanced animal welfare and crop yields through optimized environmental control.

By partnering with Invertek Drives and utilising the Optidrive VFDs, Hiflex successfully addressed the unique challenges of agricultural and horticultural applications. It demonstrates the transformative potential of VFD technology in optimising efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in the farming sector.