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Sponsored column No. 3 November/December 2010 DESIGN DATA Dave’s DIARY DRIVES In this regular feature, Dave Baston, UK General Manager for Control Techniques, looks at how modern drive and motor technologies can improve your business. In this issue, Dave insists that a proposed rating system for variable speed drives (VSDs) must take a system-level view For as long as I can remember, I’ve advocated the use of variable speed drives (VSDs) to raise motor efficiency. They cost more upfront, but ongoing energy savings will dwarf the initial investment. Their benefits in pump and fan drives are already well known, and the EC Energy Using Products (or Ecodesign) Directive has identified VSDs as a desirable technology. The biggest potential for energy being applications that move air or fluids at an adjustable rate, i.e. fans and pumps. An obvious next step is to introduce an efficiency grading scheme for VSDs, as is already done for electric motors. The EC has issued a mandate to CENELEC to develop a suitable technical standard. Developing it will be a technical challenge, because it’s difficult to get an accurate measure of VSD efficiency: mostly because it’s already so high (97-98%), measuring the ratio between input and output power stretches current instrumentation to the limit. And that’s before we’ve addressed more general questions: which operating conditions should be covered? And how should results be weighted? The key problem is that the quality of the drives output waveform significantly impacts on the losses within the motor. The loss in a VSD is 2-3% of rated throughput. The loss in the motor is 5-20%, depending on the rating. A simple drive only efficiency rating would be meaningless because it would ignore these system-level effects. Any new standard for VSD efficiency must address this dilemma – perhaps by defining an efficiency test between power source and shaft, using a hypothetical ‘standard motor’. I can already hear the arguments, but they’re worth overcoming if we’re to avoid a simplistic standard for VSDs that ignores their effect on the motor. Jargon Buster - The Ecodesign Directive The Ecodesign Directive (http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/ sustainable-business/documents/eco-design/framework-directive/ index_en.htm) provides consistent EU-wide rules for improving the environmental performance of energy related products (ERPs) through ecodesign - a way of thinking about design which takes into account the environmental impact of a product or packaging across its entire existence, including Raw Materials, Manufacture, Retail, Use & End of Life. This approach is known as life cycle thinking and can be used to reduce environmental impacts as well as costs for businesses. Do you agree? Tell us what you think: Visit www.controltechniques.com/viewpoint Rockwell Automation has published a White Paper explaining how intelligent motor control centres (MCCs) – which integrate communications, hardware and software – can help to minimise downtime. The eight-page publication outlines the evolution of MCCs, configuration methods, networking advantages, and real-world application examples. It describes the underlying technologies, including advanced monitoring and sensing devices, and network connections. Intelligent MCCs can cost less to install than traditional MCCs and offer protective, monitoring and troubleshooting advantages. They also allow manufacturers to capture and use equipment and process data to improve productivity. http://goo.gl/prgn US-based Abhisam Software has announced the publication of a downloadable eBook called The Quick Guide to AC Variable Frequency Drives, which explains how drives work, and how to select, use and install them in common applications. The “vendor-neutral” guide contains six chapters covering all aspects of VSDs from basic concepts related to AC induction motors and their control, to an explanation of functions such as vector control, torque control, anti-windmill control, and dynamic braking. The eBook is available at an introductory price of $27, and a free trial can be downloaded from Abhisam’s Web site. www.abhisam.com PI (Physik Instrumente) has published a 400-page catalogue covering its piezomechanical components and motion systems, from simple, direct actuators, to long-travel ceramic linear motors and complex multi-axis flexure guided nanopositioning stages. A separate section lists control electronics. The catalogue includes a tutorial on piezo design for positioning applications. It can be downloaded as a PDF. www.piezo.ws/pdf/Piezo_Mechanism_Cat10.pdf Thomson has produced a guide to using electric linear actuators to replace hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders in off-road machinery and vehicles. Potential applications include controlling engine speed, operating safety locks remotely, lifting access panels, and controlling spool valves. The publication compares electric actuators with fluid power drives and outlines their advantages including low development costs, easy installation, user-friendly control functions, low energy costs, high adjustment accuracy, low maintenance, and environmental acceptability. The brochure is available as a downloadable PDF. http://goo.gl/JJquQ Leuze electronic has issued a 12-page brochure describing its machine safety inspection service, as well as its machine safety devices and support services. It explains the company’s UK-based technical support service, its 24-hour telephone helpline, its parts return process, its machine stop-time measurement service, and its machine safety training. The publication also covers the free-to-download ePlan macros for Leuze’s machine safety components 01480 408 500 mail@leuze.co.uk http://bit.ly/LeuzeMachineSafetyInspections 48 November/December 2010 www.drives.co.uk
M SOFTWARE AutoCAD returns to the Mac after 16 years Autodesk has announced that it is producing a version of its AutoCAD design software for Apple Mac computers for the first time since it stopped supporting the Mac in 1994. The software has an intuitive interface that will be familiar to Mac users and takes advantage of the latest Mac OS X operating system, including its graphical browsing of design files and its use of multi-touch gestures for panning and zooming on Mac notebooks, mice and trackpads. More than 5,000 customers helped to develop the Mac version in a beta programme. Autodesk has also announced a free app called AutoCAD WS mobile which extends AutoCAD to Apple’s iOS operating system for portable devices, allowing users to edit and share AutoCAD files on iPads, iPhones and iPod touch devices. The app supports real-time collaboration, even while users are on the move. The Mac software allows native creation and editing of files in AutoCAD’s DWG file format and supports collaboration with suppliers, customers and partners, regardless of the platform being used. It integrates with AutoCAD WS, allowing users to upload and manage designs in online workspaces, and to edit and share those designs via a Web browser or Apple iOS devices. AutoCAD for Mac is available as a free 30-day trial download. In addition, free educational licenses are available for personal use by students and educators, subject to certain conditions. Autodesk 01252 456600 www.autodesk.com/autocadformac Module produces 3D panel mounting layouts Eplan is offering a software module that can be used to produce mounting and production drawings, and associated model views, quickly and easily. The Pro Panel module can be used to populate panels or to define fluid power devices and valve blocks, based on Eplan’s Electric P8 or Fluid software. The module offers 3D functions to define electrical and fluid engineering mounting layouts, based on Eplan’s new 3D technology and facilitates design across various disciplines by using a common database. It also shows correct views of hidden edges. Users can plan a mounting panel first, and design the schematic later. The module can be used to check the position of devices, wire ducts and mounting rails. When placing elements, it verifies whether they are on the correct mounting panel. Online access is provided to all of the devices in the design, and to Eplan’s parts management and data portal. Eplan Competence Centre 01709-704 100 www.eplan.co.ukww.elutions.com moti on and mechatronics brushless DC motors brushed DC motors ac & dc servo motors synchronous motors stepper motors spur gearboxes planetary gearboxes rotary encoders linear encoders stepper and servo drives motion controls custom engineered motion and mechatronic systems www.mclennan.co.uk Tel:+44 (0) 8707 700700 Email:sales@mclennan.co.uk Mclennan Servo Supplies Ltd Unit 1, The Royston Centre, Lynchford Lane Ash Vale, Surrey, GU12 5PQ
Page 1 and 2: DRIVES & CONTROLS www.drives.co.uk
Page 3 and 4: VLT® Decentral Drive FCD 302 I VLT
Page 5 and 6: DRIVES & CONTROLS Editor Tony Sacks
Page 7 and 8: UK industry ‘is not managing its
Page 9 and 10: more than just a pretty interface.
Page 12 and 13: Mechanical drives factory moves to
Page 14 and 15: Wow, why is this so easy? Because e
Page 16 and 17: TECHNOLOGY Motion system can cut mo
Page 18 and 19: TECHNOLOGY Motor-mounting drives
Page 20: TECHNOLOGY IN BRIEF The OPC Foundat
Page 23 and 24: Simple servodrive can be tailored t
Page 25 and 26: elsewhere; and • restoring system
Page 27 and 28: LINEAR MOTION Museum’s 4D ride ha
Page 29 and 30: Application Door closer mechanism f
Page 31 and 32: Cantilever axis assists tobacco-cut
Page 33 and 34: Bearing up to electrical erosion Va
Page 35 and 36: PARTNERSHIP BASED ON TRUST - AND TR
Page 37 and 38: Your life in our hands. INDUSTRIAL
Page 39 and 40: Falcon HTC Falcon HTC
Page 41: Extend your chain lives at no extra
Page 44 and 45: PLCs AND HMIs method and the sealin
Page 46 and 47: Experience is our Strength )))!&'$"
Page 48 and 49: PLCs AND HMIs What can HMIs learn f
Page 50 and 51: GAMBICA VIEWPOINT Taking the open r
Page 54 and 55: MULTIMEDIA Blogging site aims to co
Page 56 and 57: SENSORS Cable extension sensors hav
Page 58: CONTROL CNC offers a choice of driv
Page 61 and 62: DRIVES AND CONTROLS EXHIBITION 2010
Page 63 and 64: 1 HPMG Hangzhou Permanent Magnet Gr
Page 65 and 66: To advertise contact Simon Langston

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