Magnet extends VSD range
March 2017
Motion Control & Drives
Magnet has extended its range of Schneider energy management and automation systems to include new Altivar ATV320 variable speed drives (VDSD). This system, which improves a machine’s performance in diverse applications, has also been developed to optimise design and engineering costs for original equipment manufacturers.
“Schneider’s recently launched Altivar machine range of variable speed drives, with simple plug and play commissioning, meet the application requirements for 3-phase synchronous and asynchronous motors from 0,18 to 15 kW,” says Shalendra Barath, Magnet’s Schneider product specialist. “The Altivar ATV320 drive, which combines safety, reliability and simplicity, is used for building more effective machines, with greater reliability, at optimised costs. These drives provide continuous machine operation, even in harsh environments with elevated ambient temperature levels, dust, electrical interruptions and mechanical disturbances.
“Schneider drives also maximise machine operating time because production changes, maintenance, safety diagnostics, network configuration and system integration are accomplished quickly.”
Designed for easy integration
Altivar ATV320 devices meet various machine throughput requirements, including open loop motor control, with dynamic accuracy for start/stop applications and torque sensitive operations, even at low speed. Closed loop motor control is offered for applications requiring velocity sensitive operation or precise positioning. This system offers advanced connectivity with automation architecture via all common fieldbuses, even in real time, with fast task cycle times.
The Altivar range, which has been designed for easy integration with various machine layouts, reduces total machine costs during installation and through the life cycle of the machine. For simplified installation, book and compact form factors reduce the machine footprint and allow efficient space usage, whether the machine is mounted in a frame or installed in an electrical cabinet.
Fewer additional devices are needed to manage the machine safely and repeated sequential movements are managed internally within the drive.
Printed circuit boards are class 3C3 coated in accordance with IEC 61721-3-3 to protect against corrosion in harsh environments. The drive maintains a thermal state allowing uninterrupted operation with ambient temperatures up to 60ºC.
These VSDs have integrated safety features, including a safe stop and speed control, as well as a guard door locking device.
Magnet supports the Altivar ATV320 range with a technical advisory and installation service throughout southern Africa. This system is suitable for applications in materials handling, packaging, textile industry, mechanical actuators and hoisting.
For more information contact Shalendra Barath, Magnet, +27 (0)31 274 1050, [email protected], www.magnetgroup.co.za
Further reading:
Smarter motor technology for high-performance industrial automation
Adroit Technologies
Motion Control & Drives
Adroit Technologies is bringing Mitsubishi Electric’s EM-A series permanent magnet motors to Africa, offering servo-like speed and position control at a lower cost by combining patented sensorless control with the FR-E800 inverter to eliminate encoders while achieving IE5 efficiency.
Read more...
A smarter approach to simplifying motion architecture
Motion Control & Drives
n motion system design, the wiring and drive placement between motor and drive are often decided by default, yet they shape a machine’s cost, footprint and adaptability. Kollmorgen sets out how single-cable and decentralised architectures simplify the cabinet.
Read more...
Robotic case packer achieves 99% uptime
Rockwell Automation
Motion Control & Drives
DCC Automation designed a new robotic case packer for a nutrition supplement manufacturer using delta robots and a unified Rockwell Automation control platform, cutting changeover time from 45 minutes to 5 minutes, and achieving 99 to 99,5% uptime against the previous 10% per-shift downtime.
Read more...
igus puts 3D-printed wear materials to the test
igus
Motion Control & Drives
A new igus white paper compares its tribological iglidur 3D-printing materials directly with conventional POM, reporting lower wear, more stable friction and up to ten times longer service life in gear testing for customised, low-volume and replacement components.
Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE’s expanded local engineering capability
SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
At Electra Mining Africa, SEW-EURODRIVE demonstrated how its expanded local engineering capability, digital technologies and lifecycle support strategy help customers improve reliability, energy efficiency and total cost of ownership across the full life of their drive assets.
Read more...
Latest Danfoss automation drive
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
Motion Control & Drives
BMG has launched the Danfoss iC7-Automation enclosed variable speed drive range in South Africa, backed by significant local stockholding of 400 V models up to 710 kW, approved warranty workshops, and DrivePro digital asset management support.
Read more...
Severe-duty workhorses powering mining
Motion Control & Drives
Mining machines such as rock crushers, pumps and conveyors need motors that combine high torque with robust enclosures, seals and cooling. WEG Africa explains how severe-duty motors deliver more than a decade of reliable performance in harsh conditions while meeting modern energy-efficiency standards.
Read more...
Looking beyond the spec sheet when choosing motion architecture
Motion Control & Drives
When machine builders focus only on torque, speed and price, engineering time, integration effort and long-term maintainability get overlooked. Kollmorgen explains how thinking at the system level, not the component level, leads to better motion architecture choices.
Read more...
Economy drive system closes the drive gap in the entry-level segment
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Motion Control & Drives
Beckhoff has launched an economy drive system pairing its new AX1000 servo drive and AM1000 servomotor with the AF1000 dual-axis variable frequency drive on a shared EtherCAT platform, targeting series machines and price-sensitive markets without sacrificing TwinCAT integration or functional safety.
Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE showcases modernisation and lifecycle support at Electra Mining Africa 2026
SEW-EURODRIVE
Motion Control & Drives
At Electra Mining Africa 2026, SEW-EURODRIVE showed how it has expanded beyond equipment supply into integrated engineering solutions, plant modernisation and long-term lifecycle support for mining and industrial operators across Africa.
Read more...