Electrical switching & drive systems & components


Introducing Commander S and Marshal

Fourth Quarter 2022 Electrical switching & drive systems & components

Control Techniques is launching a new member to the Commander family of drives and a revolutionary app named Marshal. Commander S provides a solution for applications that require plug-and-play control convenience straight from the box. It’s easy to install, easy to use, reliable and cost-effective.

Commander S is the first drive to come with an app interface as a standard feature at no extra cost, covering commissioning, monitoring, diagnostics and support. Powered by near field communication (NFC) technology, Marshal will be the user’s drive expert in the field. Marshal allows power on/off commissioning, even when the drive is still in the box; cloning, where parameters can be transferred from one drive to another; and diagnostics, where Marshal provides real-time diagnostics even when the drive is powered off and step-by-step instructions will help the user fix the problem and get the drive running again. The user can also easily share wiring diagrams and drive configurations as a pdf file via email or WhatsApp or other messenger apps.

The robust click-on/off DIN rail mounting makes it easy for end-users to install the drive and the small footprint and side-by-side installation save cabinet space where this is at a premium. The terminal designations are laser printed for easy identification and offset angled terminals allow easy screw access and cable entry.

Marshal is the easiest and fastest way to communicate with Commander S. Available for Android and iOS, it enables drive set-up in only 60 s using NFC technology, along with providing simple set-up routines tailored to different applications. The FastStart menu, accessible via Marshal, provides assisted commissioning and only four key settings are needed to get the motor running.

Commander S uses the latest generation of components and innovative ways of manufacturing. A conformal coating process protects the drive against moisture, corrosion and dust to meet the long term robustness and reliability standards that Control Techniques is known for. To further strengthen that message, it offers a free 5-year warranty, just as it does with all its general-purpose drives.

Commander S is optimised for simple applications with a suitable feature set. To help reduce overall costs for the user, several essential features are built into the drive, such as intelligent fan control, onboard Modbus RTU and integrated C1 EMC filter. It also meets the energy efficiency requirements set by the EU Ecodesign regulation. Commander S is available in three frame sizes with a power range of 0,18 to 4 kW.

Anthony Pickering, president of Control Techniques, highlights the presence of NFC in daily life and how this technology brings a disruptive user experience into the market for general-purpose drives. “NFC is in all our lives and we use it to make payments at a shop, for example. We knew this was the technology to go for and we’ve adapted it for Commander S. This is disruptive for the industry and changes the whole customer experience, from installation to programming,” he says. “The innovation we are bringing to the market is a constant development of our products and surrounding services and we are proud of what we’ve achieved with this new drive. Commander S gives you fast installation and programming, gets the job done and it’s green! This colour takes us back to our heritage as in the early days of Control Techniques, we were known as the green drive company; and as part of our ongoing development, we believe our heritage is important. What we take to the future is what we’ve learned in the past and making it green is a mark that shows we’ve recognised all that knowledge and development over the years.”


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...