Motion Control & Drives


Rockwell Automation drives efficiency

July 2012 Motion Control & Drives

Rockwell Automation’s latest AC variable speed drive product offering, the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 750-series, offers more selection options for control, communications, safety and supporting hardware than has been offered before. These highly efficient, easy to use flexible drives maximise investment, improve productivity and are suited for a variety of industrial applications.

“These drives are also available to order as part of a pre-engineered solution, enabing tight integration into most control platforms while meeting all safety requirements,” says Adrian van Wyk, Rockwell Automation’s business manager components, standard drives and industrial condition monitoring.

The PowerFlex 750-series offers:

* Seamless integration into the Logix Controller environment for simplified and enhanced configuration, programming, diagnostics and maintenance, reducing engineering time and related costs.

* A slot-based mechanical architecture to support additional options for I/O, feedback, safety, communications and auxiliary power supply.

* Predictive diagnostics and built-in safety features to help protect a customer’s investment and reduce unplanned downtime.

* Additional flexibility with packaging options to meet environmental protection requirements, high power cabinet and commonly-used power options required for high power applications.

* Increased safety performance levels with the Safe Speed Monitor option card, which includes an embedded safety relay rated to meet PLe/SIL CL3, Cat 3 and Cat 4.

* High-definition LCD display with six lines of text for more meaningful explanations of parameters and events.

* Real-time clock provides time-stamped events versus run-time data.

* Additional DPI communications capability, for expanded programming and connectivity capability.

* Easily assessable modular control and power components, heatsink and internal fans.

Class-leading control and communication

DeviceLogix control I/O manages control and status information locally within the drive, which allows independent or complementary operation to supervisory control and helps improve system performance and productivity. DeviceLogix is easily programmed with RSLogix 5000, DriveExplorer v 6.01, and DriveTools SP v 5.01 programming software.

“Owing to the PowerFlex 750s easy integration into the Logix environment, development time and related costs are reduced, while flexibility to customise a drive to more closely match application needs is provided,” explains Van Wyk.

The PowerFlex 750-Series DeviceLogix can be used to:

* Speed up reaction time by processing in the drive, reducing dependency on network throughput.

* Provide scaling, selector switches, or other data manipulations not already built into the drive.

* Read/write inputs and outputs and exclusively control the drive.

* Provide an option for decision-making if communication is lost with main controller.

* Control other PowerFlex drives via a peer-to-peer Ethernet/IP network.

Superior safety support

Safety is a key feature of the PowerFlex 750-series. “Besides protecting staff and equipment, these safety options can help provide reduced downtime, combined with an increase in productivity,” says Van Wyk.

There are two safety options in the range:

* Safe Torque Off: ideal for safety-related applications requiring rotational power to the motor to be removed without removing power from the drive, it allows for quick start-up after a demand on the safety system. This helps reduce wear from repetitive start-up, and provides safety ratings up to and including SIL CL3, PLe, and CAT 3.

* Safe Speed Monitor: this function provides a solution for applications that can benefit from access to a safety zone while there is limited motion. Featuring an integrated monitoring relay, it carries a safety rating up to and including SIL CL3, PLe, and Cat 4. With this option, the speed of the application can be safely monitored and controlled, allowing operators to perform process or maintenance work without stopping the machine.

The series consists of the PowerFlex 753, ideal for general purpose high performance applications, currently ranging up to 250 kW; and PowerFlex 755 for high performance and high power capabilities, currently ranging up to 1000 kW. Exclusive to the PowerFlex 755 AC drive, is connectivity of an entire enterprise through embedded Ethernet/IP to provide complete machine control, and simplified and enhanced machine design.

For more information contact Adrian van Wyk, Rockwell Automation, +27 (0)11 654 9700, [email protected], www.rockwellautomation.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Solving common automation challenges with Festo’s servo drive and servo motor solutions
Festo South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Automation projects face challenges that include limited installation space, the need for precise and repeatable linear motion, rising cycle-speed demands, and seamless integration with existing control architectures. Festo’s servo portfolio directly addresses these issues with compact, modular drive and motor solutions designed for specific applications.

Read more...
Inside the Giant Magellan Telescope with mechanical engineering at astronomical scale
Motion Control & Drives
Construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope, set to become the world’s largest Gregorian optical infrared telescope, is well underway. While its scientific mission is to transform astronomy, its performance depends heavily on advanced mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic engineering.

Read more...
Filtration as a reliability driver in motion control systems
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa Motion Control & Drives
This article highlights the importance of filtration in motion control systems, how contamination affects performance, and what fleet managers, operators and maintenance teams in southern Africa can do to reduce downtime, avoidable wear and costly repairs, aided by Baldwin Filters.

Read more...
Supporting construction of next-gen floating offshore wind turbines
Motion Control & Drives
While windy locations naturally make ideal spots for offshore wind farms, they bring challenges when it comes to assembling wind turbines, particularly in ports. Mammoet was approached by Euroports to support with the marshalling and assembly of the components that make up the three turbines at Port-la-Nouvelle in France.

Read more...
Rollers excel where profits balance on a knife edge
igus Motion Control & Drives
Polymer component specialist manufacturer, igus has developed a range of lubrication-free long-life knife edge rollers designed to improve the transfer of products between conveyor belts in high-speed production environments.

Read more...
Bringing physical AI to the factory floor by deploying humanoids in industrial operations
Siemens South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Siemens and Humanoid have marked a landmark milestone in the journey to bring physical AI from vision to industrial reality. Humanoid’s humanoid robothas been successfully tested in operations at Siemens’ electronics factory in Germany, performing autonomous logistics tasks.

Read more...
Next-generation oil-free motor systems with active magnetic bearings
WEG Africa Motion Control & Drives
WEG and SpinDrive are collaborating to integrate SpinDrive’s AMBs and built-in IoT condition monitoring into WEG’s market-leading electric motor offering, creating an oil-free, maintenance-free drive solution.

Read more...
Rising demand for advanced coolant technology
Motion Control & Drives
As modern engines become smaller, more powerful and increasingly complex, coolant technology has undergone a fundamental transformation.

Read more...
Addressing cost, supply and disease pressures in Africa’s feed industry
Motion Control & Drives
Feed producers across Africa are operating in an increasingly complex and volatile environment. The pressures are forcing producers to rethink how they operate, balancing cost control, production efficiency and the need for greater flexibility in an unpredictable market.

Read more...
Rapid headframe replacement for Canada’s biggest potash mine
Motion Control & Drives
Mammoet has supported Ledcor with the construction of BHP’s new Jansen potash mine.

Read more...









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.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved