New Danfoss VLT® Decentral Drive E cient, reliable and powerful

CONTROL
CNC offers a choice of drives
Mitsubishi has
announced a CNC
range based on RISC
CPUs and high-speed
graphics chips. The
M70V CNCs provide
multi-channel support
and high-speed, high-accuracy functions, resulting in faster
processing times and higher precision of machined parts,
with cutting speeds of up to 1m/min.
There is a choice of two drive systems: high-speed MDS-
D/DH servo/spindle drives; and the lower-priced MDS-
SVJ3/SPJ3 series. Interpolation gives 1nm resolution. A new
interface provides user-friendly operation, programming
and configuration. Machine setups are performed using a
PC-based servo-tuning tool which links to the M70V via
Ethernet. This tool can automatically optimise parameters
such as speed and position loop gains, and time constants.
Mitsubishi Electric
01707 276100 www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk
Controller closes loops in 62µs
Galil has introduced a motion controller that accepts encoder
inputs up to 15MHz and can close loops in 62µs. The DMC-
41x3 controller is faster than its predecessor (the DMC-21x3)
and incorporates Ethernet 100Base-T and USB 2.0 ports, as
well as analogue inputs and optically isolated I/O. It also offers
twice as much memory for user programs and arrays.
The controller is available for up to eight axes and each
axis can be configured for stepper or servo motor
operation. It can be connected to external drives of any
power range or to Galil’s multi-axis (500W per axis) servo
drives or 60V, 3A microstepping drives. It can operate by
itself or with a PC. Standard I/O includes 16 optically
isolated I/Os for 1–4 axis models, and 32 I/O for 5–8 axis
models. Eight analogue inputs are provided. Motion modes
include point-to-point positioning, jogging, linear and
circular interpolation, contouring, and electronic gearing
and camming. Galil’s UK distributor is MotionLink.
Galil Motion Control 01488 638488
www.galilmc.com www.motionlink.co.uk
PCs use multi-core processors
Beckhoff has announced a new generation of industrial PCs
based on 3½-inch motherboards that support multi-core
processors which can distribute PLC, NC, robotic,
measurement or HMI functions to dedicated cores
The PCs can be equipped with various processors, such as
the Intel’s Core Duo or Core2 Quad, as well as low-cost
dual-core Celeron processors. On-board interfaces include
SATA, COM and USB ports. A mini-PCI card slot can be
used to integrate fieldbus interfaces, while a DVI interface
allows two separate displays to be connected for enhanced
visualisation. The motherboard has a PCI-Express extension,
which can be used for further interfaces inside and outside
the PC. An integrated UPS and an on-board RAID controller
are said to improve availability.
Beckhoff Automation 01491 410539 www.beckhoff.co.uk
DRIVES AND MOTORS
Servodrive operates from
high-voltage supplies
Inmoco has announced a digital servodrive that can operate
from a 400V or 750V DC power sources without a
transformer. The Elmo ExtrIQ Panther drive can be mounted
onto a motor or PCB and deliver up to 7kW of continuous
power for single- or multi-axis applications.
The MIL-standard drive can operate at extremes of
temperature (–40°C to +70°C), humidity and altitude, and
endure high levels of vibration (more than 15g) and
mechanical shock. It can be used with sinusoidal, trapezoidal
and DC motors, and is available in 80–400V or 200–750V
DC bus versions with built-in “smart” supplies for controlling
the back-up capabilities. It can also operate with a 24V DC
auxiliary power supply. The drives, which support CANopen
communications, measure 110 x 75 x 30mm.
Inmoco 01327 307600 www.inmoco.co.uk
Stepper drives detect
mechanical blocking
Micromech is offering a range of
stepper motor drives for bipolar
two-phase stepper motors,
which can operate with motor
coil currents from 0.7–7A RMS
(9.8A peak) and at voltages from 15–75V. The Trinamic
TMCM-078 drives incorporate a patented sensorless load
measurement technology to detect mechanical blocking.
To prevent the motor from heating up unnecessarily, and
to save energy, the motor current is reduced automatically
to an adjustable level during standstills. All settings are
made using DIP switches, avoiding the need for a PC.
Accuracies of up to 256 microsteps are possible. The drives
allow two-phase stepper motors to be used in high-torque
and high-velocity drives without needing separate cooling.
The inputs for step, direction and enable signals are
optically isolated. The compact modules in aluminium
housings measure 145 x 96 x 33mm.
Micromech 01376 333333 www.micromech.co.uk
Miniature brushless DC motors
produce little noise
Rotalink has announced a range of miniature brushless motors
with nominal output torques that extend above 250mNm at
maximum efficiency, and with maximum power ratings of
270W. The BL brushless motors are available in 12V and 24V
DC versions with three-phase Hall effect commutation for
smooth, precise speed and/or position control.
The efficient brushless design produces little electrical
noise and, unlike brushed DC motors, is not prone to
commutation sparking, making the motors suitable for use
in EMC-sensitive environments. The range includes five
frame sizes with nominal diameters from 29–65mm. The
brushless motors can be used with the brushless version of
Rotalink's recent drag-and-drop/flowchart programmed Red
Drive motor driver and controller. Matching gearboxes,
motor feedback devices and motion controls are available.
01460 72000 www.rotalink.com
54 November/December 2010 www.drives.co.uk