With its Sinamics S210 converter designed specifically for use with the newly developed Simotics S-1FK2 motors, Siemens is offering a new and innovative servo drive system in an initial offering from 50 to 750 W. The converters come with integrated safety functions and enable rapid engineering via motion technology objects in Simatic S7-1500 controllers. They […]
Servo Drives
Advanced Motion Controls — six new servo drives capable of 100-A peak and 60-A continuous output
This new power range comes with a variety of network options including EtherCAT, CANopen, POWERLINK, Modbus and more. Safe Torque Off (STO) functionality is included as a standard feature. Available now, these new models offer high efficiency in a compact design and are targeted towards AGVs and mobile applications. 100 A Peak Current Output 60 […]
What is modulo positioning?
In motion control, there are typically two types of positioning that can be used for a linear or rotary axis: relative, in which each position is based on a previous position, regardless of the actual position of the axis; or absolute, in which each position is referenced to a home, or zero, point. Axes that […]
New space-saving AMP8000 distributed servo drive system from Beckhoff
Beckhoff Automation’s new AMP8000 distributed servo drive system breaks new ground for modular machine concepts. The space-saving AMP8000 integrates a servo drive directly into a servomotor and features an ultra-compact design. By relocating the power electronics directly into the machine, a control cabinet only needs to house a single coupling module in order to supply […]
How to address overshoot in servo control
Updated August 2018 || There are three characteristics that indicate when a servo system is properly tuned: response time, settling time, and overshoot. Response time is the time it takes the system to reach a specified percentage of the target value, while settling time is the time it takes for the target value to be […]
Why are servo drives also called servo inverters, amplifiers, and controllers?
Let’s start with the term servo drive. Here’s what a drive does in a servo system: It basically takes an input signal from a controller and amplifies that signal which is then sent to the motor. And in that description is the key. A drive serves to amplify a signal. Amplification is needed because control […]
POWERLINK family of servo amplifiers feature output to 27.4 kW
The Ethernet POWERLINK family of DigiFlex Performance (DP) digital servo drives from Advanced Motion Controls provide a wide range of options for servo system solutions. DPP/DZP drives deliver peak power output from 1.5 to 27.4 kW, and support an array of feedback and motor options, offering a versatile blend of cutting edge technology and proven […]
How notch filters and low-pass filters reduce resonance in servo systems
Servo systems experience resonance due to compliance or backlash in mechanical components such as gearboxes, screw drives, and couplings. Resonance reduces system performance, can cause audible noise, and in extreme cases can even damage hardware. Servo tuning is the process of setting controller gains to optimize servo performance, but as gains are increased, resonances typically […]
How do brushless-motor drives eliminate motor power-supply setup?
In a recent video recorded at the Design World studios, I teamed up with my colleague Paul Heney to review the features of a brushless-motor drive from Koford Engineering in Winchester, Ohio. Consider some examples from Koford Engineering, which sells a full line of compact 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, and 40-A brushless motor drives. […]
What are auto-tuning methods for servo drives?
Tuning a servo system is a complex and iterative process. It typically requires tuning multiple control loops, each with its own gains (proportional, integral, and/or derivative) to be adjusted. In addition, tuning a servo drive usually requires adjustments to additional parameters including acceleration and velocity feed-forward gains and filters to reduce oscillations. While manual tuning […]
