News · Mikołaj Skubina · 16.02.2026
The NORD SK1SI50 geared motor model is an example of a compact worm gear unit designed for applications requiring high energy efficiency and stable operation at moderate torques. It is a solution often found in conveyor belts, packaging systems and light intralogistics.
The key design element is the UNICASE housing – a one-piece housing cast from grey iron or aluminium. In practice this means:
- no bolted joints between housing sections,
- higher rigidity of the bearing arrangement,
- better heat dissipation,
- greater durability in continuous operation.
The UNICASE concept is the market standard in the helical gear unit segment, because it minimises the risk of micro-cracks, shaft displacement and leaks. In industrial applications this translates directly into a longer service life of the entire drive.
Helical inline geared motors – universal NORD drives for linear applications
Helical inline geared motors are the most classic form, in which the helical gear unit and the electric motor are arranged coaxially. Thanks to helical gearing they achieve high efficiency and quiet operation.
Typical applications:
- conveyor belts in warehouses and logistics centres,
- agitators with medium torques,
- packing lines in the food industry,
- applications where high energy efficiency matters.
In the NORDBLOC.1 version, the aluminium construction and smooth housing surface allow easy washing, which matters in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Parallel shaft helical geared motors – when installation space matters
Helical geared motors in a flat housing (with parallel shafts) are designed for work in limited installation space. They offer a very wide torque range – from light applications to heavy transport systems.
They are used in:
- bulk material transport systems,
- screw and bucket conveyors,
- intralogistics solutions,
- drives for overhead cranes and auxiliary lifting systems.
Thanks to the UNICASE design and robust bearings they cope with high radial and axial loads.
Helical bevel geared motors – high torque and a change of drive direction
Helical bevel geared motors combine a helical gear unit with a right-angle (bevel) gear unit. They allow the direction of power transmission to be changed by 90°, while maintaining high efficiency and torques reaching tens of thousands of Nm.
This is the optimal choice for:
- long conveyor belts,
- sorting systems,
- applications requiring a high gear ratio,
- machines operating in continuous mode.
Thanks to the option of additional anti-corrosion protection they work well in aggressive environments.
Helical worm geared motors – high gear ratios in a compact housing
The helical worm design uses a worm gear unit, which makes it possible to achieve very high gear ratios in compact dimensions.
Technical characteristics:
- smooth operation at low speeds,
- good vibration damping,
- suitability for applications with limited space.
A solution often found in packaging technology, intralogistics and smaller production lines.
Asynchronous and synchronous motors – the heart of every geared motor
Every NORD geared motor works with an appropriately selected electric motor.
The asynchronous (three-phase) motor is the most widespread solution in industry – resistant to overloads, simple in design, available in a wide power range.
The synchronous motor stands out for its constant speed regardless of load and very high efficiency, which matters in energy-intensive installations such as sorting centres or large transport systems.
In combination with a frequency inverter, stepless speed regulation, torque control and precise process control are possible.
MAXXDRIVE industrial gear units – the heavy artillery of industry
When a standard geared motor is not enough, MAXXDRIVE series industrial gear units come into play. They offer output torques from a dozen or so to over 280,000 Nm.
These are solutions dedicated to:
- large-diameter agitators,
- mills and crushers,
- belt conveyors in the bulk materials industry,
- lifting mechanisms in overhead cranes.
Here too the UNICASE concept is used, and reinforced roller bearings guarantee a long service life under extreme loads.
The UNICASE housing – why is it the market standard?
The one-piece UNICASE housing eliminates the typical problems of bolted constructions: shaft displacement, loss of alignment and leaks.
In practice the user gains:
- higher power density,
- stable bearing seating,
- lower risk of failure in continuous operation,
- longer service intervals.
This design solution is the foundation of NORD drive durability – from models such as the SK1SI50 to MAXXDRIVE industrial gear units.
How to select the right gear unit type?
The selection of a NORD geared motor should take into account:
- the required torque and gear ratio,
- the nature of the load (continuous, shock, variable),
- environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, washing),
- available installation space,
- the speed regulation method (frequency inverter).
SPEC SERWIS acts as technical and advisory support in the selection of NORD drives. It helps analyse application parameters, select the right gear unit and coordinates contact with the manufacturer regarding technical configuration. Thanks to service experience, real operating conditions can be taken into account already at the design stage.
From the compact NORD SK1SI50 geared motor to powerful industrial gear units – every series has a clearly defined application. The key is not choosing the "strongest" solution, but properly matching the gear unit and motor type to the nature of the installation's work.
Find out more
Comprehensive NORD drive solutions – Authorised Partner SPEC SERWIS
NORD geared motor for a feeder (e.g. 25 kW) – how to select a drive for industry?
NORD drives in production plants – audit and inventory