Cost and time reductions do not start with the production process but in the development process of new machine tools and production systems. According to Guenter Schmitz, MD of Gauteng-based Flexible Electronic Systems, the increasing complexity of processes has to contend with product life cycles that remain the same or are shortened, leading to demands for more compressed development cycles. Simple and consistent integration of the drive into the machine concept is therefore critical.
“Along with increased expectations for speed, precision and flexibility, the topic of safety systems in the context of personal and machine safety is becoming increasingly important,” he explains. “In order to achieve maximum availability whilst maintaining the required productivity, the highest process safety is demanded and the interaction of safety-relevant components within the safety chain is critical here.”
An example of the safety functionality incorporated into a drive controller is Safe Torque Off, a feature which limits the drive to a safe speed or safe standstill says Schmitz. “The drive controller itself thus becomes part of the safety concept and is even more deeply integrated into the overall drive design.”
The latest ServoOne High Performance servo system from LUST aims at satisfying the most demanding requirements for dynamic response and smoothness in machine tools and production systems.
It does this by incorporating innovative control algorithms, a variety of modern realtime communications interfaces and comprehensive safety functionality. Well thought-out control algorithms and flexible encoder interfaces permit operation with a wide spectrum of motors, from synchronous servomotors through asynchronous motors to linear and torque motors.
To incorporate the control performance of the ServoOne into a wide variety of automation solutions, communication interfaces are available as option cards. In addition to CANopen and Profibus, SERCOS II and EtherCAT protocols are available for rapid synchronised multi-axis movements. Both SERCOS III and Profinet are in the pipeline for the ServoOne.
For application development ServoOne has a standardised IEC 61131 programming system and a wealth of motion control libraries.
Beckhoff’s XPlanar boosts productivity in medical device assembly Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The intelligent transport system, XPlanar from Beckhoff provided the basis for an innovative system concept allowing the specialists at Automation NTH to reduce the space requirement of an assembly machine for medical diagnostic devices by a factor of 10.
Read more...Smart features increase crane safety
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The newly launched Konecranes S series hoist offers a large bouquet of smart features which not only increase lifting device safety but also deliver a higher level of operator protection.
Read more...Redefining industrial lifting
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The Konecranes S-series hoist redefines industrial lifting through its integration of a ground-breaking synthetic rope with smart features, a lifting capacity of 20 tons, and the ability to adapt to diverse girder configurations.
Read more...Seven years of uninterrupted service
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
A set of hydraulically operated Corflex pinch valves, installed in 2018 at a major North African gold mine, has delivered in one of the continent’s most demanding slurry-handling applications.
Read more...New generation soft starter ranges Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Schneider Electric has launched its new generation Altivar ATS430 and ATS490 soft starter ranges in Anglophone Africa, the latest innovations in motor control technology.
Read more...Reinventing the wheel
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Once a curiosity in the early automotive age, in-wheel motors are now re-emerging with real promise. From electric cars to commercial vehicles and even aircraft, they are on the verge of transforming transportation engineering.
Read more...NORD modular drives for frequently changing motor speeds Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
BMG has made a substantial investment over the years to ensure assembly, stockholdings and technical support for the Nord range are in line with stringent international quality, safety and environmental standards.
Read more...PC-based control for sustainable fertiliser production on an industrial scale Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
On a farm in the USA, valuable ammonia is extracted from slurry and processed into ammonium sulphate. NSI Byosis has transformed this complex process into a flexible modular system. This modular approach requires an automation solution with flexible scalability in both hardware and software, which this Dutch company has found in PC-based control from Beckhoff.
Read more...Redefining motion control with Festo’s vision for seamless and intelligent automation Festo
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The quest for precision, flexibility and efficiency continues to shape the future of industrial automation, and Festo, as a long-standing leader in automation technology, stands firmly at the forefront of this movement, driving innovation and setting the benchmark for excellence.
Read more...The opportunity and impact of MEPS electric motor regulations WEG Africa
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
South African companies are gearing up for the new Minimum Energy Performance Standards, part of a global trend towards energy-efficient electric motors.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version