Drives and Controls Product News http://drives.co.uk/prodfeed.asp The Latest Drives & Controls Product news <![CDATA[Acquisition yields tough AC drives family]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2329 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2329

The Finnish drives-maker Vacon has launched a range of AC drives designed for use in harsh environments, where dirt, dust, humidity and liquids may be present. The X drives are based on a range originally launched in 2005 by US-based TB Wood`s, whose AC drives business Vacon acquired last year for $29m. The drives will continue to be sold in the US under their original SE2, X4 and X5 names.

]]> <![CDATA[Wireless encoder link is tailored to motion controls]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2326 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2326

BEI Industrial Encoders has developed a wireless encoder interface which, it claims, is the first to be designed, from the ground up, for motion control applications. Unlike other wireless technologies such as WiFi, the new system, called Swiftcomm, has a rapid boot-up and transmission times, allowing it to interface easily with existing control systems and to provide robust, real-time communications

]]> <![CDATA[Compact 3D laser sensor has built-in controller]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2324 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2324

At the recent Hannover Fair, the German sensor specialist, Micro-Epsilon unveiled a non-contact laser profile displacement sensor with a controller built into its compact sensing head. No other components are needed to evaluate the measured data.

]]> <![CDATA[Gateway provides diagnostics for safety systems]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2325 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2325

Schmersal has launched a gateway that it says will simplify the wiring of safety switchgear, as well as ensuring reliable operation. The SD-Gateway gathers diagnostic information, converts it into a Profibus signal, and transmits this to a PLC where it can be evaluated.

]]> <![CDATA[Tiny module offers a choice of real-time Ethernet protocols]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2305 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2305

The German communications specialist Hilscher has developed a communication interface for integrating real-time Ethernet functions into equipment such as controls, drives, and simple actuators or sensors. The netIC module can be used to provide connections for any two of the following – Profinet, PowerLINK, Ethernet IP, SERCOS III, EtherCAT, Modbus and TCP/IP – using simple software adaptations.

]]> <![CDATA[High-efficiency motors cut losses by up to 40%]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2306 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2306

At the recent Drives & Controls Show, the Brazilian motor-maker WEG unveiled the first models in a new series of high-efficiency induction motors that, it says, will also offer low noise and vibration levels, high reliability, easy maintenance and long service lives. The W22 motors, spanning ratings from 0.1–400kW, are being launched in three phases with the largest models (frame sizes 225–355) being released first, to be followed by frame sizes 132–200 in early 2009, and 63–112 a few months later.

]]> <![CDATA[Low-cost drives use new V/Hz algorithm]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2283 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2283

Baldor has launched a family of AC frequency inverters that use a new V/Hz control algorithm, said to provide much tighter regulation of speed, and to improve torque at low speeds, making them capable of starting even high-inertia loads. The VS1MX family, which includes single-phase and three-phase versions with ratings from 0.37–7.5 kW, has also been designed to cut costs of ownership "substantially".

]]> <![CDATA[32-bit drive enters production]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2302 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2302

Gefran used the recent Drives & Controls Show to launch its long-awaited SieiDrive ADV200 AC inverters, which use field-oriented control (FOC) and are based on 32-bit microcontrollers. The drives, which have been seen in prototype form at several European trade fairs in recent years, have now entered production, and cover power ratings from 0.75kW–1.5MW, 400–480V AC, in four modular frame sizes.

]]> <![CDATA[Big drive technologies migrate down to micro and compact level]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2303 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2303

New families of entry-level and mid-range frequency inverter drives made their European debuts on Mitsubishi Electric’s stand at the recent Hannover Fair. The FR-D700 micro inverter and FR-E700 compact inverter ranges (shown below) incorporate control technologies previously available only on larger drives.

]]> <![CDATA[Compact drives handle 150% overloads]]> http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2304 http://www.drives.co.uk/fullstory.asp?id=2304

At the 2008 Hannover Fair, Yaskawa unveiled a new generation of small basic drives to replace its Varispeed mini J7 series. The new J1000 drives are designed to be used with asynchronous motors rated from 0.1–5.5kW. Yaskawa expects to sell 30,000 of the new inverters this year, and 60,000 in 2009.

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