Electrical switching & drive systems & components


Expanded power ranges and capabilities for drives

Third Quarter 2019 Electrical switching & drive systems & components

Rockwell Automation has expanded the power ranges and capabilities of TotalFORCE technology for its Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 755T AC drives. The drives now offer an expanded power range, helping engineers with applications from 7,5 to 4500 kW improve productivity and reduce their lifecycle costs. The expansion brings harmonic mitigation, regeneration and common bus-system configurations to a wider range of high demand applications.

Enhancements to the patented TotalFORCE technology include more powerful adaptive control capabilities, which allow the drives to monitor machine characteristics that can change over time and automatically compensate for the changes that occur. An adaptive tuning feature uses up to four automatic tracking notch filters to block resonance and vibration that can impact quality, waste energy and prematurely wear out a machine.

In addition, predictive maintenance features provide real-time information about the health of the drive. By monitoring operational characteristics such as temperature, voltage and current, the drive is able to calculate the remaining life of critical components and notify users. This allows users to act so unplanned downtime can be prevented.

“TotalFORCE technology enables PowerFlex 755T drive users to take a proactive approach in improving machine uptime. The drives can deliver information about the status of an application to the control system, which can be critical for reducing downtime and increasing productivity,” said Adrian van Wyk, Power and Components, Rockwell Automation sub-Saharan Africa. “The drives’ ability to be self-aware also enhances reliability and simplifies service.”

The PowerFlex 755T variable frequency drives were previously designed for 120 to 2250 kW power applications. The expanded power range makes PowerFlex drives ideally suited for large power applications, such as pumps and fans requiring harmonic mitigation, and regenerative applications requiring anti-sway functionality, such as cranes and hoists. The offering includes:

PowerFlex 755TL drive: The PowerFlex 755TL drive uses active front-end technology and an internal harmonic filter to reduce harmonic distortion. The drive is now available from 7,5 to 1400 kW.

PowerFlex 755TR drive: Delivering power from 7,5 to 4500 kW, the PowerFlex 755TR drive includes both regenerative and harmonic mitigation solutions. The drive helps reduce energy consumption and costs by delivering energy back to the incoming supply, resulting in a more energy-efficient solution.

PowerFlex 755TM drive system: This allows users to build the system that best fits their needs for regeneration and coordination of multiple motors in common bus configurations. To optimise their system requirements and meet power consumption needs, users can select from a series of predesigned modules with a power range from 160 to 4500 kW for motor side inverters and a range of 70 to 4800 kW for regenerative bus supplies.

Other new capabilities include an integrated safety module that delivers several advanced safety functions on an EtherNet/IP network, an anti-sway feature that helps lifting applications achieve greater stability and permanent magnet motor control for increased energy savings.

Combined, these new TotalFORCE technology capabilities help reduce time to commission, optimise performance and enable simplified maintenance and serviceability throughout the full lifecycle of PowerFlex 755T drives for a broad range of applications.

For more information contact Adrian van Wyk, Rockwell Automation, +27 11 654 9700, [email protected], www.rockwellautomation.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

New generation low power frequency inverters
Bearing Man Group T/A BMG Electrical switching & drive systems & components
New to BMG’s electromechanical range are energy-efficient Synergy PI150 series frequency inverters, which have been designed for efficient use in many applications.

Read more...
Planar motor system for quality assurance
Beckhoff Automation Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Achieving the shortest possible inspection times, even when working with different components, is paramount when it comes to series production. This is precisely what special machine builder, stoba Sondermaschinen set out to achieve with its InspectorONE optical inspection system, which is based on deep learning and features the Beckhoff XPlanar planar motor system at the conveyor system core.

Read more...
Siemens elevates automotive and aerospace simulation
Siemens South Africa Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Siemens Digital Industries Software has announced the latest update to its Simcenter portfolio, delivering advancements in aerostructure analysis, electric motor design, gear optimisation and smart virtual sensing. These enhancements are designed to streamline workflows, accelerate certification and provide deeper insights into system performance.

Read more...
Turbomachinery controls: the call of duty
Schneider Electric South Africa Electrical switching & drive systems & components
There’s a lot to be said about the unsung heroes of this world; those men, women and machines that deliver such important functions, often overlooked and recognised. One such machine is turbomachinery, and while the name does sound quite obvious to the layman, its rich history and daily functions are not.

Read more...
More movement in the market
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Aerotech aims to revolutionise the market for precision motion and machine controls with an intuitive control platform.

Read more...
Motion technology for all types of automation
Bearing Man Group T/A BMG News & events Electrical switching & drive systems & components
BMG has been appointed by The Timken Company as a distributor in southern Africa for the Rollon linear motion guidance system.

Read more...
Servo motor series for explosive environments with expanded certification
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Parker Hannifin’s ongoing commitment to safety and performance in hazardous environments is evident in the new certifications and product improvements for its EY and EX servo motor series.

Read more...
The world’s most powerful worm
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Geothermal energy from the natural heat of the Earth is an inexhaustible resource, yet the growth of the global geothermal power sector lags behind other renewable energies. Now Swiss startup, Borobotics is hoping to speed this up with its innovative new electric-powered geothermal drilling robot, which can be used to fast-track and lower the cost of heat pump installations in confined spaces.

Read more...
The impact of gearless mill drive technology on CO2 emissions
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
ABB has released an in-depth white paper detailing the vital role that gearless grinding technologies can play in driving productivity in mining while simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint.

Read more...
Revolutionising TIG welding for aerospace manufacturing
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Yaskawa Southern Africa has partnered with Aerosud Aviation, a leading aerospace manufacturer, to implement a cutting-edge robotic TIG welding solution tailored to the exacting demands of aerospace production.

Read more...