A drive system produced by Italy's Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali. [Provided to China Daily]

Ansaldo Sistemi Industriali (ASI), through its Chinese branch ASI Industrial Systems Beijing Co Ltd, secured a significant order on September 26 from the Xi'an Aerospace Propulsion Institute to supply a high-speed variable speed motor drive system on its new test bench.

The order illustrates ASI's growing presence in China's advanced manufacturing industry, the company said.

One of Italy's leaders in design, manufacturing and installation of electric motors, generators, power electronics and industrial automation systems, ASI has a long experience in supply of drive solutions for test benches.

Last year the company successfully completed the installation of a similar package in Shaanxi.

The new order includes a variable-frequency induction motor, an inverter and related switchgear.

"Customers like the Xi'an Aerospace Propulsion Institute need state-of-the art test equipment to help them validate their efforts and demonstrate their results," said Juan Bautista Simoni, head of ASI Beijing.

ASI has designed variable speed drives and power electronics for some of the world's most advanced test rooms including wind tunnels for Formula One race cars and airplanes.

"Our experience in the field enables us to help design a drive system that will be highly reliable, allowing the Xi'an institute to repeat their tests without the fear of an interruption in power supply," said Simoni.

ASI has been present in China since the early 1980s and has developed a strong reputation in the metals industry.

More recently, the company has been diversifying into high-tech projects like its recent contract for Xi'an.

ASI is also at the cutting edge in renewable energy technology, the company said.

"The challenge for the future is for high-power offshore wind generators. This requires moving from low voltage solutions to medium voltage solutions, a field in which ASI has significant experience," Simoni said.

ASI has already installed inverters on wind farms and photovoltaic plants in China with good results. The inverters offer state-of-the-art harmonics and power quality.

"Our experience in power quality stems from our experience in the metals industry and is an important asset in the design of reliable solutions for test rooms and renewable energy," said Simoni.

Another important area of development for the company is service.

ASI believes in giving its customers support for the entire lifecycle of its products.

"It is important for our customers to see us as partners," said Simoni.

"We want to help them achieve the maximum performance from their equipment over the lifecycle of the plant. We can provide customers with long-term service agreements that allow us to perform predictive maintenance activities that help maximize up time."

An important aspect of the company service is personalized programs to meet specific requirements. It is a strategy that seems to be working.

"ASI Industrial Systems Beijing, the local subsidiary, has grown significantly since its beginning," Simoni said.

"I think the main difference between ASI and its competitors is that we truly are a local company. Our growth is directly tied to our customers' growth and success.

"We feel like an important part in the dynamic changes that are taking place in China and believe that our engineering know-how and skills can be an asset in helping our customers reach their goals."