News » Product News Multi-axis servodrives are ‘the smallest on the market’
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, Parker Hannifin launched a new generation of standalone and multi-axis servodrives including “the smallest multi-axis servodrives on the market”. The PSD drives, designed for the global market, will be the lead product in a portfolio that also includes a new PAC (programmable automation controller) offering EtherCat real-time communications.
Takeover results in a new HVAC controls range
Following its $5.2bn acquisition of Invensys in 2013, Schneider Electric has been working with Invensys’ Italian heating and ventilating controls subsidiary Eliwell, to develop controllers for HVAC and pump applications. The result is the Modicon M171 family of controls which made its debut at the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany.
Multi-role motion platform is based on open standards
Parker Hannifin has announced a multi-axis, real-time motion controller that integrates machine logic and Web-based visualisation functions. The standards-based Parker Automation Controller (PAC), which is aimed at the global machine-building market, provides tools that are said to result in fast code generation, short commissioning times and low development costs.
Plug-in network cards open up servodrives to third parties
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show, Mitsubishi Electric unveiled a version of its MR-J4 servodrive that accepts HMS’ Anybus plug-in cards, allowing it to be used with third-party control systems and network technologies – the first time this has been possible with a Mitsubishi servodrive. Initially, an EtherCat card is available, and this will be followed by Profinet, Ethernet/IP and others. Support for EnDat and Hiperface encoders is also being added.
Integrated IE4 motor-drive is ‘up to 40% smaller’
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show, Yaskawa announced an integrated motor-drive package based on an IE4 IPM (interior permanent magnet) motor. The IE4MD uses a version of the company’s V100 inverter and is said to help machine-builders to comply with the European ErP Directive.
Smartphone app tells you how to fix drives faults
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show, ABB announced a series of enhancements for its ACS880 industrial drives, including a smartphone app that reads a QR code that is generated on the drive’s display in the event of a fault. The Drivebase app (available for Android and iOS mobile devices) accesses ABB’s service site which delivers information about the error and possible remedies, without the operator having to consult a manual.
Mechanical specialist expands into motor-drives
The Italian mechanical power transmission specialist Motovario has entered a new market with the launch of an integrated motor-inverter that it has spent more than two years developing. One reason for launching the new range, called Drivon, is that sales of one of the company’s traditional products – mechanical variators – have been declining, with most now being sold as replacements rather than for new installations.
Graphic terminals allow remote monitoring of plants
Rockwell Automation has announced a new range of graphic terminals that allow data from anywhere in a plant to be monitored using tablets, smartphones or other mobile devices. The Allen‑Bradley PanelView Plus 7 Standard terminals also offer machine-builders new options in terms of size, functions and connections.
Servodrives tackle vibrations and ripple
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, Yaskawa unveiled a new generation of servomotors and drives with improved performance, a wider speed loop bandwidth (3.1kHz), and enhanced vibration suppression and force ripple compensation compared to their predecessors. The Sigma-7 motors are 20% shorter than the previous Sigma-5 models – which they can replace directly – and provide 16 times better resolution, thanks to the inclusion of 24-bit encoders.
Rugged drive can be mounted on or near motors
WEG has developed a rugged decentralised drive, designed to be mounted on a motor’s terminal box, or nearby. The IP66-protected MW500 inverter (based on WEG’s CFW500 VSD) is said to simplify commissioning, installation and start-ups, and to cut cabling and cabinet costs.
Automation suite helps to program multi-axis projects
The German drives specialist Stober has unveiled a software tool for programming multi-axis applications using its MC6 motion controller. The AS6 Automation Control Suite is based on the Codesys 3.5 system and incorporates motion control and PLC functions. It supports the IEC 61131-3 programming languages and includes a robot command set.
General-purpose drives reach their third generation
At the recent SPS IPC Drives show in Germany, the Welsh drives-maker Invertek unveiled the third generation of its general-purpose Optidrive family of drives. Available in four frame sizes covering ratings from 0.37–22kW, the Optidrive E3 can control IE2, IE3 and IE4 permanent magnet and synchronous reluctance motors.
Advanced PLC targets demanding applications
At the recent SPS IPC Drives in Germany, ABB announced a high-performance, multi-processor version of its AC500 PLC, aimed at demanding machinery and motion automation, control and communication tasks. The AC500 PM595 Machinery Controller incorporates a 1.3GHz processor with four 32-bit RISC processors, an embedded double-precision floating-point processor, 16MB of user program memory, and an array of communications interfaces.
Flexible servodrives can be used ‘in almost any application’
ABB has announced a three-phase AC servodrive platform that can be used – without needing any extra hardware – in almost any application, from centralised control to intelligent stand-alone motion systems. The flexible MotiFlex e180 drives are suitable for high-power and continuous machinery and motion control applications using a variety of communications and motor feedback technologies.
Automation platform integrates motion with an industrial PC
Bosch Rexroth has combined a PLC-based motion logic system with a Windows PC, allowing machine-builders to run PC software on the same platform as real-time motion control. It says that the new IndraMotion MLC controller will open up new applications by integrating Web-based technologies, high-level languages, Ethernet-based communications and Windows applications.
