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:

Wind energy in the Black Forest
Motion Control & Drives
For more than 20 years, numerous wind turbines have stood in the Black Forest and are now receiving a performance boost through repowering projects.

Read more...
Kollmorgen advances linear motor safety and performance
Motion Control & Drives
Kollmorgen Corporation has released the next update for the SafeMotion Monitor (SMM) firmware, SMM 3.0. This upgrade expands functional safety support for linear motors and linear axes, helping machine builders implement functional safety in industrial applications that require safety.

Read more...
PC-based control for additive machine tools
Beckhoff Automation Motion Control & Drives
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.

Read more...
Major software release for Parker PSD servo drives
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Parker Hannifin has released its PSD servo drive family delivering new control modes, advanced synchronisation functions and performance optimisations designed to improve throughput, accuracy and system efficiency in demanding industrial applications.

Read more...
Robotic positioning system drastically reduces changeover times
Beckhoff Automation Motion Control & Drives
At the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California, an advanced robotic system by Square One Systems Design and Beckhoff speeds up high-energy physics experiments.

Read more...
Lubricant contamination costs more than you think
Motion Control & Drives
Lubrication Engineers has identified that 90% of lubrication contamination happens during storage and dispensing, not during application. To address this costly problem, it offers the isoPOD, a portable ‘plug and play’ lubrication storage and dispensing unit that’s a first for the South African market.

Read more...
New generation surface drill rig
Motion Control & Drives
Epiroc South Africa is launching a new and improved PowerROC T45. This new generation surface drill rig offers increased fuel efficiency and high availability, and is a welcome addition to the PowerROC family.

Read more...
How vision-guided robotics is transforming South African manufacturing
Yaskawa Southern Africa Motion Control & Drives
In South African manufacturing, the final stages of production need more than manual labour or conventional automation. For many, vision-guided robotics is becoming the solution to smarter, more flexible end-of-line processes.

Read more...
Transporting substations for the world’s largest offshore wind farm
Motion Control & Drives
Dogger Bank Wind Farm will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm when it is completed. Mammoet was involved in providing transportation and weighing of the project’s three offshore substations.

Read more...
Lubrication application a key component for wire rope longevity
Motion Control & Drives
As part of its extensive work to help develop benchmarking standards for wire rope lubrication in South Africa, lubrication specialists Lubrication Engineers South Africa has found the Viper wire rope lubricator to be a key element for effective lubrication application and rope maintenance.

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