Drives + Supplies - Motion Control Tips

RHINO PSV dc power supplies from AutomationDirect

January 18, 2019 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

AutomationDirect now sells economical PSV series power supplies and universal battery control modules as part of the RHINO DC power supplies lineup. RHINO PSV Value series DIN rail power supplies come in a wide selection of voltage and wattage ranges. 5-V RHINO DC supplies come in 15 and 25-watt ratings with 12-V supplies at 48 W. 24-V DC supplies come in 30, 50, 100, 120, 240 and 480W; and 48-V supplies are rated up to 120 W.

15 to 100-W models (in ultra-compact plastic housings) have efficiency ratings to 89.0% … full power operating temperature ranges from −10°C to +55°C … and are NEC Class 2 / Limited Power Source (LPS) certified.

120 to 480-W RHINO power supplies have a metal housing; provide full power from −10°C to +50°C; and maintain efficiencies to 88.0%. Plus these models have a built-in constant current circuit for reactive loads.

Starting at $32.00, RHINO PSV series DC power supplies are UL/cUL saw, CE approved and have a three-year warranty.

Also added are universal battery control modules (starting at $30.00) that provide uninterruptible 24VDC bus voltage and offer battery protection for over voltage, deep discharge, short circuit and reverse connection. Alarm outputs indicate input, output and battery conditions. For more information, visit automationdirect.com/dc-power-supplies.

In business since 1994, AutomationDirect is a distributor offering thousands of industrial automation products for electrical control systems, including PLCs, operator interfaces, AC drives, motors, stepper systems, sensors, motor controls, enclosures and more. Their prices are typically well below the list price of more traditional automation companies because of their business model and focus on efficiency and the majority of their products are stocked for same-day shipping. Plus, get free two-day delivery on orders over $49; some limitations apply.

Drives propel multi-axis motion

January 17, 2019 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

Drive systems based on parallel kinematics with electromagnetic and electro-ceramic drives can improve dynamics, resolution and accuracy in applications needing high precision and multiple degrees of freedom.

Stefan Vorndran, Vice President Marketing
Scott Jordan, Director of NanoAutomation Technologies,
Physik Instrumente L.P. (PI)

Motion simulation is often a crucial piece of the design process for evaluating and improving many devices. This can include vibration testing of vehicles and airplanes, response testing of accelerometers and gyroscopes, and testing of image sensors such as those used in high-end cameras and smart phones. Repeatable multi-axis motion simulation can help tweak advanced algorithms in image stabilization systems, and verify the performance of opto-mechanical or electronic stabilizers.

Many emerging fields of structural and active mechanical subsystem analysis, validation and design can also benefit from flexible, multi-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion mechanisms capable of generating specific motion patterns in real time.

While vibration cancellation has been widely employed in imaging, recently it is also becoming more of an issue in precision machining and manufacturing processes where guiding errors, uneven surfaces and imbalance can have a negative effect on the outcome of parts whose quality is measured in tenths of microns and below. To improve processes at this precision level, tools such as the simulation of motion/unwanted motion, along with its compensation, are steadily gaining in importance.

Hexapod motion simulators vs. mechanical shakers
An established way to simulate motion is to use mechanical shakers or generic stacks of positioning stages. These could sometimes be deployed to simulate simple target motions or approximate a desired mechanical stimulus. However, such setups are inflexible and limited in their capabilities. For maximum efficiency, motion simulators need to move on highly precise, repeatable trajectories in multiple DOF with precisely the same dynamics as the original motion they are trying to simulate.

A miniature 6-axis motion simulator with brushless torque motors/screw drive provides high stiffness and motion resolution better than 100 nanometers.

An alternative option for motion simulation is a hexapod. These systems feature a parallel kinematic design with low inertia and symmetrical dynamic performance. They allow precise and exact repeatable motion in the X, Y, Z and pitch, yaw, and roll axes, and a freely selectable center of rotation. High-dynamic hexapods are available together with software toolkits for rapid development of patterned motion generation from the developmental laboratory to the production floor.

In this low-profile, piezo-based hexapod system, Eigenfrequencies in the kHz range enable rapid position control with repeatability in the nanometer range.

These systems can be deployed over a range of applications from simulation and compensation of physiological motions to calibrated oscillation of mechanisms for volume production validation. Hexapods are well suited for such uses due to their signature capability for six-degree-of-freedom motions in a user-defined coordinate system that places the rotational center-point at a desired position in space.

The hexapods’ coordinate system’s origin and orientation can similarly be cast anywhere in space, rather than being fixed by the mechanical configuration of the system. Their controller’s built-in waveform generation is now capable of internal generation of millions of target positions at speeds of up to thousands of points per second, addressing aliasing and generation artifacts. These capabilities are backed up by extraordinarily fast TCP/IP Ethernet interfaces, together with real-time TTL synchronization interfaces, plus available analog inputs and SPI, EtherCAT, and RS-422 interfaces. Two auxiliary motion axes are also integrated for driving additional linear or rotary actuators.

Different mechanical designs
Various drive types are available for highly dynamic simulation of predefined motion. Hexapods with brushless torque motors, and the appropriate mechanical design of the drivetrain and sensor technology achieve accelerations to 2 g. They also provide an inherently stiff drive train.

Shown here is a high-dynamic, 6-axis motion simulator based on voice-coil linear drives and flexure joints/guides. Typical areas of application include testing of image stabilization algorithms, and in the medical field for ophthalmology or prosthetics simulating eye motion, eye tracking, and any other human or artificial motion.

Even higher dynamic performance is feasible with voice coil drives (intrinsically soft) such as used in the H-860KMAG flexure guided, direct-drive hexapod, developed by Physik Instrumente (PI). Here accelerations to 4 g with velocities of several hundred mm/sec are possible. The special design includes zero-wear flexure guides and joints, and completely dispenses with rolling or frictional elements. The result is zero-backlash motion without vibrational noise caused by traditional mechanical bearings. Undesired frequency components transferred from the mechanical guiding system cannot influence the measurement.

Software for multi-axis patterned motion generation with dynamic hexpaods is available for Windows, Linux, and OSX.

When nanometer-level precision is required and extremely high bandwidth in the kHz range, piezo-based hexapod designs are a suitable choice. The space-saving, parallel-kinematic design allows for a low profile, and small footprint, opening up ultra-precision machining applications where the hexapod compensates guiding errors in real time with nanometer precision. The piezo drives are wear-free and also operate under strong magnetic fields or in a high vacuum.

Piezo scanners for image resolution enhancement/pixel sub-stepping
Low-light conditions pose challenges for imaging applications from astronomy to microscopy. Low light intensity means neither the resolution of the sensor nor the exposure time for changing or moving objects can be freely chosen. Typical applications are fluorescence microscopy, white-light interferometry (OCT in medical technology or general surface structural analysis), or surveillance cameras and cameras for aerial photography. Further fields of application are scanners used to digitize analog data, such as technical drawings, art and paintings.

Examples of highly dynamic piezo scanners for image stabilization/resolution enhancement applications are shown here, with a low-profile XY scanner on the left and a miniature tip/tilt mirror on the right. Both systems are based on parallel kinematics drive designs to provide higher dynamics and precision in a smaller package.

The resolution of digital recording methods is determined by the number of imaging pixels of a CCD or CMOS chip, for example. If one wishes to increase the resolution, the number of imaging pixels must be increased.

There are basically two ways of doing this, both of which are relatively expensive and require considerable effort: a) either increase the size of the recording chip; or b) decrease the size of the pixel. The first case requires a larger recording device and also different imaging optics. In the second case, the light sensitivity decreases with the pixel size. This reduces the separation between image signal and noise signal which, in the end, may even decrease the image quality in spite of the higher resolution.

A method called pixel sub-stepping makes it possible to significantly improve the resolution with relatively little effort.

With pixel sub-stepping, the recording area is moved on a defined path with a defined frequency. This dithering, where the travel is less than the size of a pixel, causes the pixel to be exposed several times on the recording area, producing a virtual pixel multiplier which can significantly improve the resolution. The rest is data processing. The various images produced in this way are subsequently super-imposed to form the final, high-resolution image, a process also known as super resolution.

Schematic diagram for moving a sensor chip (a) or the imaging beam onto the sensor (b).

Because this method is based on motion, a drive is required which meets all the performance criteria for mechanical precision and lifetime, and provides highly reproducible motion of the sensor chip in two dimensions with sufficient linearity. The displacement only needs to be on the order of the pixel size, for example a few tens of micrometers or less, with a wide dynamic range from a few hertz for still images, up to the kilohertz range for video recordings. In addition to planar scanners, tip/tilt scanners can also be used.

In addition to increasing the resolution of a sensor, the scanners can also be operated to actively counteract unwanted motion thereby stabilizing the image and reducing blurring.

Piezo scanners are based on electro-ceramics and precision flexure guiding systems, providing ideal features for these applications. These include solid-state motion, no lubricants required, no wearing parts, and fast response and high resolution in the nanometer range and below.

Physik Instrumente L.P. (PI)
www.physikinstrumente.com

NORD to unveil new trade show booth and drive products at IPPE

January 15, 2019 By MCTips Staff Leave a Comment

NORD Gear Corporation is attending the world’s largest annual poultry, meat and feed industry event, the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). There, NORD will be discussing cost-saving aluminum alloy drive systems for the food processing industry.

The event, held February 12 to 14 at Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center, attracts more than 30,000 visitors. Drive system experts from NORD will present high-efficiency overhead conveyor, screw conveyor, bevel and in-line gearmotor solutions at booth #8013. Highlights include:

NORD’s modular Screw Conveyor Package is ideal for food processors. This high-efficiency design eliminates the need for costly separate V-belt drives by providing integral gearmotors or direct-coupled motors to a NEMA C-face reducer. Minimizing parts and eliminating the need for top motor mounts, pulleys, belts or guards provides easier system maintenance, increased reliability, and superior drive performance.
NORD’s alternative to stainless steel gear reducers, motors and VFDs is a high-strength NSD TUPH aluminum alloy surface conversion. Ideal for poultry and meat processing companies, this breakthrough material has the superior washdown advantages of stainless steel – with 30 percent less cost. Plus, aluminum is lighter than stainless steel, and has superior heat transfer properties. Sample NSD TUPH materials are available at the NORD booth for testing.
Designed for the food and beverage industry applications, NORD’s overhead conveyor drives offer heavy-duty construction and high-quality machined components. With high efficiency and minimal maintenance requirements, the SK9055 and SK9155 have a low overall cost of ownership while providing reliable operation in food processing plants around the world. These overhead conveyor drives are designed with a mounting flange and output shaft that easily drop into industry-standard footprints. The gear units incorporate the standard NORD VL3 spread bearing design with a dry cavity.

For more information, visit www.nord.com.

New panel-mount servo drives from AMC for brushed, brushless dc motors

January 10, 2019 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

The AB25A100 PWM servo drive from Advanced Motion Controls is designed to drive brushless and brushed dc motors at a high switching frequency.

The drive is fully protected against over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, over-heating and short-circuits across motor, ground and power leads. Furthermore, the drive can interface with digital controllers or be used stand-alone, and requires only a single unregulated dc power supply. Loop gain, current limit, input gain and offset can be adjusted using 14-turn potentiometers. The offset adjusting potentiometer can also be used as an on-board input signal for testing purposes. This drive can use quadrature encoder inputs for velocity control.

The new servo drive operates on 20 to 80 Vdc input, 15 A continuous (25 peak) output. DIP switches and potentiometers provide for loop tuning, current limit adjustments and drive configuration. Other features include velocity feedback via incremental encoder, Hall Sensors, or tachometer, current, velocity, and fault monitor analog output signals, and four-quadrant regenerative operation. Certain models also feature optical isolation between high and low power signals as standard.

For more information, visit www.a-m-c.com.

What is current decay (aka recirculating current) in a stepper drive?

December 27, 2018 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

A common type of stepper drive is the chopper drive, so named because it rapidly switches the output voltage from the drive on and off — “chopping” it — to provide constant current to the motor. Chopper drives use one H-bridge per motor phase to drive voltage to the motor windings. A sense resistor at the bottom of the H-bridge monitors the current. When a set current level is reached, the H-bridge changes state to stop the current supply to the motor. After a set period of time (referred to as the “off time”), a new cycle begins, and the H-bridge once again drives current to the winding.

Although the H-bridge doesn’t supply current during the off time, current is maintained in the motor coils. While this stored current dissipates, or decays, it must have a path to flow through, or the field-effect transistors (FETs) in the H-bridge will be damaged. One option for a safe current path is to use freewheeling diodes in parallel with the FETs, but these add bulk and cost. Instead, the FETs themselves can be manipulated in one of two ways to provide a safe path for the decaying current.

An H-bridge is a circuit that contains four independently controlled switching elements (FETs) that direct the current flow to the load (in this case, the stepper motor).

In an H-bridge, diagonal switches are turned on to allow current to flow through. Alternating the sides of the “on” switches changes the motor’s direction of rotation.
Image credit: Texas Instruments

Turning on two FETs on the same side of the H-bridge causes very high current (referred to as “shoot through”) that could damage the FETs. Therefore, when the FETs on one side of the H-bridge need to be turned on sequentially, a method referred to as “break before make” is used.

This method disables the first FET for a set amount of time (typically a few hundred nanoseconds) before the second one is enabled, preventing shoot-through. During this brief “dead time,” when neither FET is enabled, internal body diodes on the FETs carry the current.

Current decay: Fast or slow

The two methods of current decay using the FETs are termed “fast decay” and “slow decay.” It’s important to note that, in this context, the terms “fast” and “slow” refer to the speed at which current decays, and are inversely related to how quickly the motor stops.

With fast decay, negative voltage is applied to the winding by switching on the opposite FETs and reversing the direction of current flow through the H-bridge. Fast decay enables the motor to respond quickly to changing step inputs, but it results in a slow stop of the motor. The downside of fast decay is that it causes high current ripple.

Although fast decay doesn’t provide truly recirculating current (current flows back to the power supply), it is sometimes referred to as a type of recirculating current.

With slow decay, two of the FETs (either both high-side or both low-side) in the H-bridge are turned on. This shorts the motor winding and allows the current to recirculate and slowly decay according to the motor’s L/R time constant. In a DC motor, the slow decay method causes the motor to stop rapidly because it shorts the motor’s back EMF.

Recirculating the current through the H-bridge provides slow decay (middle), while providing reverse current through the H-bridge to the power supply allows fast decay (right).
Image credit: Monolithic Power Systems

Microstepping drives find a compromise

Microstepping drives, which drive the motor windings with sinusoidal currents, typically use a method referred to as “mixed decay.” During the rising part of the current waveform, slow decay is sufficient to simulate the current sine wave as microsteps are issued, while providing high efficiency and low current ripple. But when the waveform is decreasing, slow decay doesn’t allow current to decrease fast enough to maintain the sinusoidal waveform, and fast decay would introduce unacceptable current ripple.

Fast decay produces significant current ripple, so microstepping applications use mixed decay.
Image credit: STMicroelectronics

Mixed decay solves this problem by beginning the downward part of the current waveform with fast decay enabled, and then switching to slow decay. This maintains the sinusoidal shape of the current while minimizing current ripple.

Feature image credit: STMicroelectronics

Automate 2019 (and Promat) April 8 to 11: North American event to showcase real-world technology advances

December 20, 2018 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Automate 2019, North America’s largest showcase devoted to automation industry trends, leading-edge technology and business innovation, returns to Chicago’s McCormick Place April 8 to 11. Produced by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), Automate hosts many of the industry’s leading manufacturers and system integrators of robotics, machine vision, metrology, software, safety, motion control and motors.

Highlights of the biennial show and conference include:

Examples of how the latest innovative automation solutions, including robots, machine vision and motion control, can solve real-world challenges.
The $10,000 Launch Pad Startup Competition, which seeks out automation-focused companies that have launched in the last five years; generated less than $2 million in revenue and are not affiliated with a larger group. Call for participants will be announced soon.
Small group discussions in the theater covering a wide variety of topics important to the automation industry.

Focused on the theme of Win the Future, Automate 2019 will explore how automation secures a company’s success in a technologically fast-paced world where artificial intelligence (AI), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), smart manufacturing, collaborative robots (cobots) machine vision and other innovations are rapidly shifting the dynamic of today’s manufacturing. Automate attracts more than 20,000 attendees, including corporate decision makers across the United States and more than 80 countries as well as press and analysts.

“Automate attendees come seeking ways automation can help improve productivity and product quality, reduce costs, speed time to market and augment their workforce,” said Jeff Burnstein, A3 president. “Collaborative and mobile robots, along with AI, machine vision and motion control, are among the many technologies that will be showcased at Automate, all helping decision makers identify ways automation can fill workforce gaps by working alongside employees who are focused on more critical tasks. These innovations better equip companies to improve their competitive positioning in today’s global market.”

In addition to the highlights previously mentioned, Automate 2019 will include:

• The Engelberger Robotics Awards presented in the categories of Leadership and Education

• Full integration with the 51st Intl. Symposium on Robotics-Americas (ISR), a prestigious event that brings together thought leaders from around the globe to discuss the latest applications and research in the field of robotics and other automation technologies

• All coursework and exams needed for the AIA’s Certified Vision Professional (CVP) basic and advanced certifications and Motion Control & Motor Association’s (MCMA) Certified Motion Control Professional (CMCP) training. Interested attendees can visit Automate 2019 to register.

One Badge for two shows: Automate 2019 attendee badges also gain admittance to ProMat 2019, held at the same location. ProMat is the largest exposition for material handling, logistics and supply chain professionals in North America, including over 950 exhibitors.

Attendee registration for both the expo and conference, with free access to the show floor, is now open. Prospective exhibitors can find more information on exhibition opportunities on the event website. Press passes and exhibitor news are available at the Automate press site.

The Association for Advancing Automation is the global advocate for the benefits of automating. A3 promotes automation technologies and ideas that transform the way business is done. A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association (RIA), AIA – Advancing Vision + Imaging, Motion Control & Motor Association (MCMA) and A3 Mexico. RIA, AIA, MCMA and A3 Mexico combined represent over 1,200 automation manufacturers, component suppliers, system integrators, end users, research groups and consulting firms from throughout the world that drive automation forward. For more information, visit: A3, RIA, AIA, MCMA, A3 Mexico.

AutomationDirect adds compact WEG VFD drives

December 13, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

AutomationDirect has added a new line of ac variable frequency drives (VFD) for motor speed control and other industrial control applications.

The WEG CFW300 variable frequency drive is a high-performance VFD for three-phase induction motors. It’s suitable for applications on machines or equipment that require precise control with easy setup and operation. The CFW300 features a compact size with contactor-style electrical connections (top in / bottom out). The VFD’s performance can be scaled to match the application by selecting WEG vector control (VVW) or scalar control (V/Hz).

The CFW300 includes a built-in keypad and SoftPLC with free WEG Programming Suite (WPS) software for custom tailored control schemes. The integrated WPS tool assists in the creation of automation applications, allowing graphical monitoring, parameter setting and programming in Ladder language (IEC 61131-3).

Built-in I/O capabilities include four configurable (PNP or NPN) digital inputs, one 0.5 A / 250 Vac relay output, and one 0 to 10 VDdc/ 4 to 20 mA analog input. A variety of plug-in option modules for additional I/O and communications protocols can be added to extend capabilities. A remote keypad and flash memory module are also available.

Starting at $138.00, sixteen units are available from 1/4 hp to 5 hp. Single-phase 100 to 127 Vac, and single or three-phase 200 to 240 Vac power supply options are available. WEG CFW300 series AC drives are cUL, CE approved and are backed by an 18-month warranty.

For more information, visit www.automationdirect.com.

The truth about VFDs and power factor

December 7, 2018 By Danielle Collins Leave a Comment

Power factor is essentially a measure of how effectively a piece of equipment (or an entire facility) uses electricity to produce useful work, such as heating, lighting, or motion. Electricity companies monitor power factor and often charge customers a penalty if their power factor falls below a specified threshold — typically 0.90 or higher.

Fortunately, most electrical loads in residential buildings are resistive (heating and lighting, for example) and have a high power factor, so consumers aren’t normally subjected to this metric. Industrial plants, on the other hand, typically have high inductive loads that significantly reduce their power factor. For example, AC induction motors — which are used for driving pumps, fans, compressors, and conveyors — have relatively low power factors, even when their capacity is put to full use. And when these motors are lightly loaded, their power factor drops even lower — sometimes approaching zero.

When an induction motor is heavily loaded (top), the voltage and current waveforms are nearly in-phase (small displacement), and power factor is high. When the motor is lightly loaded (bottom), the wave forms are out of phase (large displacement) and power factor is low.
Image credit: Yaskawa America

There are several methods of improving power factor in an industrial facility, but when the main culprits are induction motors — especially induction motors not operating at full load — applying variable frequency drives (VFDs) is often the best solution.

Recall that in an AC induction motor, power is supplied directly to the stator and a magnetic field is induced in the rotor. The power supplied to the stator is referred to as “real,” or “active” power because it produces torque. The power used to induce the magnetic field in the rotor is referred to as “reactive” power because it does not actively produce work. The combination of real power and reactive power is referred to as “apparent” power. Real, reactive, and apparent power are often depicted on a power triangle.

In an ideal system, power factor (PF_D) is the cosine of θ, which equals real power (P) divided by apparent power (S).

Note the subscript, D, in the power factor notation. In the power triangle, θ represents the displacement (phase difference) between voltage and current. Thus, this expression of power factor is often referred to specifically as the displacement power factor, PF_D.

For resistive loads, all (or nearly all) of the power used is real power that produces useful work — heat or light, for example. Therefore, current and voltage remain in phase (θ = 0), and the power factor is near unity (i.e., 1). But the reactive power required for inductive loads — to induce a magnetic field in a rotor, for example — tends to pull the current out of phase with the voltage (hence, a larger θ angle), causing a lower power factor.

The amount of real power required by an induction motor varies with the load, but the amount of reactive power (power required to generate the rotor’s magnetic field) is constant regardless of the load. Thus, when an induction motor is lightly loaded, the ratio of real power to apparent power decreases, resulting in a lower power factor.

Using VFDs to drive induction motors can improve power factor — but it’s not the panacea that some manufacturers suggest.

Variable frequency drives typically have very high PF_D values. This is because the DC bus capacitors supply the necessary reactive current to the motor for inducing the rotor’s magnetic field, and the AC supply line only has to supply real power. This means voltage and current remain almost perfectly in phase, with very little displacement, and the power factor can be at or near unity.

But VFDs also introduce harmonic current distortion. And because harmonic currents don’t produce useful work, they are reactive, thus negating some of the power factor benefits of the VFD.

To determine the true power factor, PF_T, which includes the effect of harmonic distortions, we use the equation:

THD = total harmonic current distortion

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce this VFD-induced harmonic distortion and minimize its effects on power factor. For VFDs that use a standard, diode-based rectifier, adding impedance via a line reactor or DC link choke will reduce THD.

Another option is to use an active front end (AFE) drive, which is a VFD that uses IGBTs, rather than diodes, to rectify the incoming AC power to DC. Active front end drives have significantly lower THD than standard diode-based rectifier designs. For example, and AFE drive typically has THD around 5 percent, where a standard VFD with a diode-based rectifier can have THD in the range of 45 percent.

Q: Why does the utility care how efficiently a plant or equipment uses the power it supplies?

A: Because low power factor causes higher line currents, which put more stress (primarily in the form of heat) on cables, transformers, and other equipment. Also, the lower the power factor, the more apparent power (kVA) the utility must supply to meet the real power (kW) requirements.

AMCI integrated stepper controller/drive connects to CompactLogix 5380

December 3, 2018 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Advanced Micro Controls Inc. (AMCI) now sells an ANG1(E) integrated stepper controller/drive that connects directly to Rockwell Automation’s new CompactLogix 5380 — for a low cost, sophisticated motion control. The ANG1(E) 2-in-1 product design integrates a stepper controller and drive into a single package, significantly reducing cabling with the ability to expand up to 6 axes of motion over a single EtherNet/IP connection. Move commands are easily programmed through Studio 5000 , and the standard DIN rail mounting eases installation.

AMCI proudly designs and manufactures their products in-house, enabling superior quality and innovative solutions. The company has been a Rockwell Automation Encompass Product Partner for over 25 years, and develops motion control products for Allen-Bradley PLCs using Rockwell Automation Enabled technologies to ensure 100% compatibility with Allen-Bradley PLCs and PACs.

AMCI offers a complete selection of motion control products including motion controllers (both on and off the network), motors, drives, as well as integrated solutions. Because their products are 100% compatible with Allen-Bradley PLCs, users can be confident that AMCI motion control solutions will work for their application.

Founded in 1985, Advanced Micro Controls Inc (AMCI) is a U.S. manufacturer with a global presence. Its industrial controls improve the performance and profitability of today’s factory and automation systems. AMCI specializes in the design, manufacturing, and sales of eight different product families. For more information, visit Advanced Micro Controls Inc. at www.amci.com.

Lenze Group update: Revenue figures, technology releases, and focus on digital services

December 1, 2018 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Lenze Group has continued its course of growth for 2017/2018 and exceeded key financial targets. Group revenue increased in the reporting year by 9.2% to a new record of EUR 741.0 million, far surpassing original expectations. Organic revenue growth, adjusted for currency effects, amounted to 11.2%. Operating results (EBIT) also reached a new high, rising by 12.3% to EUR 65.7 million. The EBIT margin rose to 8.9%. Net income grew by 21% as a result of a favorable tax ratio performance.

Building on decades of mechatronics experience, Lenze is bolstering its position as a global systems partner for integrated machine automation as part of implementing its 2020+ strategy … largely through scalable hardware.

The Mechatronics and Automation Systems divisions are benefiting from the company’s growth momentum. The revenue of the digital division likewise developed positively in the reporting year. Setting the pace in global factory automation, Lenze has a considerable competitive advantage with its two subsidiaries:

• the Bremen CPQ specialist Encoway

• the software company Logicline based in Sindelfingen, Germany

These subsidiaries let Lenze provide digital services and solutions along the entire value chain … for Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) functionalities — such as remote and predictive maintenance, big data management and analytics, virtual reality, and working with digital twins.

Lenze also invested in developing global sales — and focused sales activities on five high-growth sectors: automotive, consumer goods, converting and printing, intralogistics, and textiles. In these industries, the company can effectively implement application competencies for production processes. In fact, over the last fiscal year Lenze has completed more than 1,000 customer projects.

In terms of product development, the company has been pursuing a platform strategy to accelerate innovation cycles, boost market penetration, and support cost-effective design for lean production. Case in point: i500 frequency inverters and i950 servo inverters (launched this financial year) enable consistent automation platforms.

Lenze saw the greatest absolute revenue growth in Europe. With a sales increase of 18.6%, Asia recorded the largest rise in percentage terms … and strong sales in the U.S. continued. Lenze also increased profitability with strong revenue growth. Operating result (EBIT) rose by 12.3% to EUR 65.7 million, reaching a new high. The EBIT margin increased to 8.9%. The return on capital employed (ROCE) grew in the financial year 2017/2018 by 1.2 percentage points to 23.5% (previous year: 22.3%).

All in all, the Lenze Group generated a gross cash flow from operations of EUR 62.3 million (previous year: EUR 56.1 million) – prerequisite for financial strength and stability. The company therefore has sufficient scope for investment. At the Extertal location in North Rhine- Westphalia, for example, a major future project for Lenze is currently being developed with the Mechatronic Competence Campus (MCC). Overall, the company will be investing approximately EUR 50 million in the location until planned completion of the new mechatronics campus in 2020.

Equity capital also improved. With a balance sheet total of EUR 483.1 million, equity capital amounted to EUR 321.3 million (previous year: EUR 299.0 million). This corresponds with an equity ratio of 66.5% compared with 64.1% in the previous year. In addition, the Lenze Group has net financial assets totaling EUR 63.0 million (previous year: EUR 59.4 million).

The Executive Board considers Lenze to be very well-positioned, both strategically and financially, “We want nothing less than to set the pace for global factory automation and to be at the very front of shaping digital transformation,” explains Chair of the Executive Board Christian Wendler. Wendler expects moderate growth for the financial year 2018/2019. “We are pursuing the growth strategy and investing disproportionately in sales channels, R&D, and digital services.”

Lenze reaffirms its intention to increase its revenue to EUR 850 million by the financial year 2020/2021. The automation specialist is more aiming for the one billion mark by leveraging the opportunities of digitalization in the years to come.

	2017/2018	2016/2017	Change
Revenue in EUR millions	741.0	678.3	+9.2%
EBIT in EUR millions	65.7	58.5	+12.3%
EBIT margin in %	8.9	8.6	+0.3% points
Return on capital employed (ROCE) in %	23.5	22.3	+1.2% points
Gross cashflow in EUR millions	62.3	56.1	+11.1%
Investment in EUR millions	22.4	11.5	+94.8%
Equity ratio as %	66.5	64.1	+2.4% points
Net financial assets in EUR millions	63.0	59.4	6.1%
Employees as at 30.04.2018	3,715	3,457	+258 (+7.5%)