Motion Control & Drives


Energy efficiency for improved process control

May 2020 Motion Control & Drives

BMG’s Vacon 100 AC drives have been designed to save energy, optimise process control and improve productivity in many sectors, including processing, mining and minerals, industrial HVAC, marine and water, as well as chemical, oil and gas industries.

Vacon 100 Industrial and Vacon 100 Flow drives are suitable for a wide range of variable torque and constant power/torque applications, such as pumps, fans, compressors and conveyors.

“Through these economical solutions, BMG is able to ensure a quick return on project investments for our customers,” says Mick Baugh, electronics manager at BMG. “Vacon 100 AC drives, available from 0,55 kW to 800 kW, allow our customers to use the most efficient motor for each application.

“All Vacon 100 AC drives are equipped with integrated Ethernet, which means there is no need for additional interface cards to communicate with process automation. Integrated Ethernet also provides access for commissioning and maintenance through the Vacon Live configuration tool, which makes local or remote monitoring, configuring and troubleshooting possible.

Integrated smart features

Although Vacon 100 Industrial looks like a traditional AC drive, it has integrated smart features and is dedicated for a wide range of constant power/torque applications. This user-friendly system is easy to integrate into all major control systems and is quickly adaptable to different plant automation requirements and retrofit situations. The drive also incorporates features, such as built-in I/O with three option slots and integrated RS-485 and Ethernet-based fieldbus support.

Easy-to-use motor control features improve reliability and efficiency of all AC motors types, including induction, permanent magnet and synchronous reluctance motors.

Vacon 100 Flow is an AC drive with dedicated functionality for improving flow control and enhancing energy-savings in pumping and ventilation applications. This system combines the core functionality of Vacon 100 Industrial with specific flow-control functions that optimise pump and fan performance, at the same time protecting pipes and equipment, to ensure reliable operation and extended service life.

A standard PID controller eliminates the need for an external controller by using a sensor to control pump speed. This is particularly useful when reacting to fluctuations in demand for flow and pressure during operation.

There are three multi-pump control solutions in the range to suit exact demand for water or ventilation fluctuations throughout the day. For example, cooling water demand in a plant may peak during the day as the plant runs at full capacity, but requirements for water may be lower at night when the plant runs at reduced capacity. Multi-pump control is a single drive solution in which one AC drive controls the leading pump. If the demand exceeds the capability of the pump, additional fixed-speed pumps can be connected online directly, or with a soft starter. Users can choose between fixed set-ups and solutions in which the leading and auxiliary pumps alternate in roles, to equalise wear and tear.

All drives have a user-friendly keypad that allows for fast set-up and installation, easy commissioning and trouble-free operation. Special programming software tools enable OEMs to achieve a high level of machine performance. Safety features include the Safe Torque Off (STO) facility that prevents the AC drive from generating torque on the motor shaft and prevents unintentional start-ups. Safe Stop 1 (SS1) initiates motor deceleration and starts the STO function after an application-specific time delay. The optional integrated STO and SS1 safety options have several advantages over standard safety technology using electromechanical switchgears. For example, with this system, separate components and laborious wiring are no longer necessary and there is no compromise on safety.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation
Schneider Electric South Africa Motion Control & Drives
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.

Read more...
Powerful high-precision hexapod
Motion Control & Drives
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.

Read more...
Servicing the electric motor sector
Motion Control & Drives
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.

Read more...
Control system for deep antenna
Rockwell Automation Motion Control & Drives
When a major university in South Korea set out to build a 21-metre deep space antenna, the researchers needed a control system that could track celestial objects with pinpoint accuracy, a level of precision they thought was out of reach. By partnering with Rockwell Automation, they discovered that the right technology and support could turn their vision into reality.

Read more...
Manufacturers should go PFAS-Free
igus Motion Control & Drives
igus continues to develop engineered plastics that are free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS-free) in response to mounting evidence of severe environmental and health hazards caused by the chemicals.

Read more...
South African paper producer partners with ABB
Motion Control & Drives
Neopak, a leading manufacturer of containerboard and paper products, has renewed its partnership with global technology company, ABB to upgrade the existing automation system at its Rosslyn Paper Mill in Pretoria.

Read more...
ABB supplies electromagnetic stirrer to world’s largest electric arc furnace
Motion Control & Drives
ABB has secured an order from Çolakoglu Metalurji. for an ArcSave electromagnetic stirrer to be installed on one of the world’s largest electric arc furnaces (EAF)

Read more...
Compact, powerful and green mini-picker
Motion Control & Drives
SkyJacks has introduced Jekko’s Mini Picker to the southern African market. This is a compact, highly versatile and environmentally friendly electric mini-picker that is set to redefine lifting capabilities across multiple industries.

Read more...
Redefining industrial lifting
Motion Control & Drives
The Konecranes S-series hoist redefines industrial lifting through its integration of a ground-breaking synthetic rope with smart features, a lifting capacity of 20 tons, and the ability to adapt to diverse girder configurations.

Read more...
Bühler drives innovation in agriculture and food processing
Motion Control & Drives
NAMPO 2025 is set to be one of the most significant agricultural events in southern Africa. It provides a unique platform for Bühler to showcase its advanced solutions that are designed to improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability in the agricultural sector.

Read more...