TechArchive

Original article date: October 1998 The SMT-BD1 digital servo amplifier is the latest development from Infranor. As its name suggests it uses a digital signal processor (DSP) to control all the functions of the amplifier and this results in a drive that is extremely easy to set up. New control functions have been introduced within [...]

Original article date: January 2000 As servo drives become more intelligent, their ability to take on more complex processing tasks increase. Now Lenze have taken a leap forward with the integration of PLC functionality into the drive. This allows decentralisation and cost saving machine simplification, whilst simultaneously achieving higher performance. Ease of use is enhanced [...]

This article was originally written in the period 1995-2000 Mitsubishi has produced a booklet to be issued with the FX range of PLCs that explains the EMC regulations and CE marking requirements in simple terms. This section deals with “Cable Hygiene” What can be done to minimise EMC problems at installation? There is no magic [...]

Original article date: September 1999 Bearing currents are notorious for causing premature motor bearing failures, especially if modern drives are being used. We’ve been talking to Geoff brown at ABB Automation about how to avoid this problem Bearing life in an incorrectly installed drive system can be extremely short, sometimes only a few months. When [...]

Original article date: October 1997 While AC synchronous motors have been on the market for some years, many engineers are not familiar with the potential advantages of the technology. Among the benefits are extremely rapid starting and stopping, as well as reversing, low speed and high torque. These inductor motors offer a high torque to [...]

Original article date: November 1997 Competitive prices, small design improvements, a continuing need for replacement and consistent demand across Europe can all be expected to benefit revenue growth in AC motors, says a new Frost & Sullivan survey. The commercialisation of technology offering greater efficiency and reliability in the AC market is significantly contributing to [...]

Original article date: February 2000 Servo drives are widely used for rotary motion, but what about linear Systems? STEFAN HESSE explains how Montech has opted to integrate the servo components so as to optimise the user-friendliness Approximately 60% of all linear motions in automated handling machinery are pneumatically driven, moving from end stop to end [...]

Original article date: February 2000 A high speed networking standard originating in the eighties laboratories of Apple Computer looks set to redefine the networking of servo drives, claims Motor Technology’s ANDREW FALLOWS While networks such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet and Devicenet can link to servo drives, few address their special needs. USB is [...]

Original article date: April 2000 Alan Quinn takes a look at a low-cost module for a drives systems which makes real-time control at high speed possible without a PLC The on-going debate as to whether drive intelligence is better on-board, or provided remotely via a PLC or PC has been stimulated with the launch of [...]

Original article date: April 1999 Paul Carvell Vice President of Emoteq explains the design thinking behind the company’s new high speed spindle drive. The BDH is a high speed spindle drive specifically designed to drive high speed brushless motors in the speed range 20 0 to 200 0 Such a drive must be able to [...]