by Dan Jones, President, Incremotion Associates This new technique promises to deliver both higher efficiency and better power factor for induction motors. Induction motors are the workhorse of industry. They drive everything from industrial manufacturing processes to consumer equipment like washers and dryers, among others. And they’ve been around since Nikola Tesla applied for patents […]
Drives + Supplies
Interview: Lenze’s Burns on today’s automation software
In a recent phone conversation, I got the chance to talk with Doug Burns, director of business development at Lenze Americas Corp., about how new automation-software developments are dramatically reducing machine development time and simplifying the programming of motion control and robotics. In our conversation, we also discussed how robots are increasingly common in packaging, but a lot […]
NORD Motor and AC Drive Combination Meets the Highest Level of Energy Efficiency Standards
As energy prices continue to rise and natural resources become scarcer, it is becoming more important and desirable to utilize highly efficient systems with low energy loss. Historically, in the power transmission industry, energy efficiency laws and regulations have pertained only to the motor. The new European standard EN 50598 expands energy efficiency requirements to […]
Control Techniques’ Add-on Instructions simplify drive, PLC integration
Control Techniques’ Add-On Instruction (AOI) offering makes it easy to integrate Unidrive M with Allen-Bradley CompactLogix and ControlLogix PLCs. An open and editable file, the Unidrive M AOI integrates easily into the Logix architecture allowing for further future flexibility. This free AOI download provides an easy path to integrate Control Techniques’ Advanced Motion Controller (AMC) […]
What’s the difference between servo and closed-loop stepper motors?
Servo and stepper motors have similar construction and share the same fundamental operating principle. Both motor types incorporate a rotor with permanent magnets and a stator with coiled windings … and both are operated by energizing or applying a dc voltage to the stator windings, which then causes the rotor to move. However, this is […]
New Mitsubishi Electric inverter for 600-V regions
Engineering and plant managers in regions where the main power supply is 575 to 600 V can now harness the performance benefits of Mitsubishi Electric’s inverter technology with the introduction of the A860 Series variable frequency drive (VFD). A 600-V version of the proven A800 Series all-in-one VFD, the new A860 Series inverter combines traditional […]
VACON offers comprehensive range of fieldbus-Compatible AC drives
Vacon offers a wide range of AC Drives that are compatible with numerous fieldbus protocols: VACON 20, VACON 100 and the NX Series. VACON@reg; 20 is compact with a wide power range and built-in, highly flexible PLC functionality, making it one of the most adaptable, cost efficient AC drives for packaging and processing applications. Available […]
Lenze motion control experts present on Innovation Stage at PACK EXPO Las Vegas
Lenze, a global manufacturer of electrical and mechanical drives, motion control and automation technology, announced that it will present on the Innovation Stage at PACK EXPO Las Vegas on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. Lenze executives Doug Burns and Daniel Repp will focus on new software developments that can dramatically reduce machine development […]
New compact drives from Fuji Electric
Fuji Electric Corp. of America announced today that they have expanded their portfolio of low-voltage inverters in the North American market with their next generation FRENIC-Mini Drive (C2), which is now available for shipment to customers. As a replacement model for the existing FRENIC-Mini, these new compact inverters offer customers additional features and improved functionality […]
Astonishingly small servo drive survives HALT for guaranteed life
One family of motor drives — tiny ultra-high-current Gold Bee drives from Elmo Motion Control — recently passed highly accelerated life testing (HALT) for accelerated temperatures, electrical cycles, thermal shocks and vibrations. The tests show that the small servo drive successfully withstands temperatures from -75° to +110° C and easily endures mechanical vibrations exceeding 30 […]