Automotive industry fuels growth of AC servo drives sales

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August 2002 Motion Control & Drives

Exceptional growth in the local automotive market for Tectra Automation is believed to be the result of a world-class product offering, the Indramat range of AC servo drives.

The latest addition to the Indramat range of products, the Ecodrive03 intelligent servo drive solution, has been acquired for use at a large motor car manufacturer in Port Elizabeth. Ecodrive03 is a single drive, single principle controller in four different drive power ratings capable of controlling the entire range of motors. This includes MHD motors for high-accuracy applications, MKD motors for general automation applications, MKE motors for hazardous applications, main spindle motors, frameless motors and LSF linear motors as used on latest technology machines for crankshaft grinding at this car plant.

"Ecodrive03 is a particularly cost-effective and universal automation system," says Tectra Automation Indramat manager, Georg Venter. "It is highly suitable for areas of automation engineering in which linear or rotary movements up to 24 kW have to be controlled and affords users significant savings on system components and commissioning."

Generation 03 is a mature product offering ideally suited to the automotive market worldwide. Its compact control units contain the complete power supply, control and regulation electronics, which can be directly connected to the AC supply. Interfaces include analog, Profibus, DeviceNet, Parallel, Interbus, CAN open, and SERCOS interface.

All features are standard on the Ecodrive03, including incremental position measurement, comprehensive diagnostics, built-in error response, built-in holding brake control and position limit monitor. Having standardised on Indramat products, automotive plants in Port Elizabeth now benefit from single-source-supplier efficiencies, optimised production functionality and the assurance resulting from the Hytec Group's ability to repair and service all components locally.

Tectra Automation is also seeing positive results flowing from its acquisition of Pneumatic Automation Technologies (PAT). "We have significantly enhanced our product offering, as well as the distribution channel," reports Venter. "As a result, our customer base has grown and the Hytec Group can now provide a complete range of pneumatic solutions that include products from world-leading suppliers Bosch and Rexroth," Venter explains. "Hytec is the only company that offers a complete automation package in South Africa consisting of pneumatics, hydraulics, linear/FMS and servo drives." The picture shows the latest Rexroth Indramat range of AC Servo Drives, including Ecodrive03.

For more information: Bevil Blaine, Tectra Automation, 011 971 9400, [email protected]

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Motion Control & Drives

Automotive industry fuels growth of AC servo drives sales

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