AC drives have historically been controlled by a scalar method known as volts per hertz (V/Hz), in which the drive maintains a constant voltage-to-frequency ratio in order to maintain stable torque production. However, the V/Hz control scheme doesn’t allow tight speed regulation and is limited in its ability to produce torque at low speeds. Vector […]
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Motion Control Trends: Automation, robotics spur motor demand
Electric motors are at the heart of motion. Across the board, motor manufacturers are seeing increased demand for their products. Hastened by the pandemic, demand in areas such as robotics, autonomous vehicles and automated production and manufacturing lines across a wide swath of industries has risen, spurring new business as well as innovation. Some top […]
SDP/SI adds integrated motors to simplify motion system design
Stock Drive Products/Sterling Instrument (SDP/SI) has launched a series of Integrated Motors to simplify motion system design. Replacing multiple components with a compact all-in-one motor and electronics package, Integrated Motors simplify motion system design while providing many advantages. “Doing speed, position and torque closed-loop control with separate brushless motor and driver/controller technologies can be challenging,” […]
What is field weakening and how does it affect servo motor performance?
Although servo systems can very precisely control motor speed, position, and torque, in some applications, the motor may not be able to reach the commanded velocity due to limits in the available bus (supply) voltage from the drive. But advanced servo drives offer a technique referred to as field weakening, which alters the motor’s torque-speed […]
Motion Control Tips: The top 5 posts for 2020
An end-of-year tradition here at motioncontroltips.com is to look back at some of our most viewed articles we published on the site throughout the year. This represents what you, our readers, clicked on the most throughout the year. Curiously enough, some of the most-read content in 2020 revolved around electrical and networking topics. We’re not […]
Servo drive modules from Trinamic handle up to 1,000 W
TRINAMIC Motion Control, now part of Maxim Integrated, has released the TMCM-1636, a single-axis servo controller, developed for drives up to 1,000 W and 60 A RMS. It’s suited for robotics, lab and factory automation, manufacturing, and patient handling equipment such as motorized beds and chairs. The new module achieves high-current loop frequencies that minimize […]
What is direct torque control (DTC) for AC induction motors?
Variable frequency drives control AC induction motors through one of several control schemes. Scalar control (also referred to as V/Hz or V/f control) varies both the voltage and frequency of power supplied to the motor to maintain a fixed ratio between the two. This keeps the strength of the magnetic field at a constant level […]
New digital soft starters and micro VFD drives from AutomationDirect
New compact soft starters and micro VFD drives have been added to the AutomationDirect motor controls lineup which encompasses simple manual controllers, motor contactors and starters, drives and soft starters. WEG SSW05 and SSW07 soft starters are compact, fully digital soft starters with a DSP controller designed to provide great performance on motor starts and […]
Motion technologies and software for next-generation eBikes
Since their emergence in the early 1990s, eBikes have undergone a steady series of improvements in range, reliability, and performance that have won them a growing number of loyal users worldwide. Equipped with specially engineered frames, high-capacity Li-Ion batteries, and highly efficient drive control electronics, today’s eBikes have become a low-carbon option to cars for […]
Video: Yaskawa GA800 ac drive for industrial applications
In a recent Design World video with my super-smooth colleague Mike Santora, I got the chance to play with a GA800 ac drive demo from Yaskawa America Inc. This VFD includes network communications, embedded functional safety, and easy-to-use tools (including a smartphone app) for configuration and remote access. Yaskawa sent us a sample of the […]
