Designers and builders of packaging and converting machinery can now specify a versatile new ABB AC machinery drive which the company claims is the market's most adaptable yet.
While ABB has considerable expertise in developing drives for applications like large harbour and industrial cranes, this is its first foray into producing smaller precision drives. Such is the importance the company attaches to breaking into this burgeoning sector, however, that it has invested over $US15m and 150 man years in the drive's development.
Steve Ruddell, general manager, drives and motors at ABB's Automation Technologies division, says that in packaging and converting, the latest drive will typically be used in applications ranging from injection moulding equipment and winders to plastic-bag making machines, label printing lines, and calendering, slitting coating, sheeting and laminating equipment.
He says: “Offering high end design and functionality and dynamic performance, this drive will be aimed at applications requiring excellent reliability over long periods. While it has excellent open loop capabilities, many of the new applications require even more precise controls and, as such, the drive is compatible with all feedback devices, including absolute encoders, resolvers and 'normal' incremental encoders.”
Able to control open or closed loop asynchronous or asynchronous motors, the machinery drive is rated from 0.75 - 45kW, and uses standard AC drive technology but with “significant performance improvements” ABB says are set to take it into the servo performance area. Key features include Direct Torque Control, providing a very fast torque control loop, centralised position control from motion controller or distributed motion control, and positioning and synchronisation at 500 micro seconds, making the device suitable for “even the most demanding machinery uses”.
Equipped with an I/O sampling system the drive is compatible with all the major fieldbuses, including PROFIBUS, DeviceNet, CANopen and Ethernet. Customers can also specify dedicated functionality which can be assembled or programmed immediately prior to dispatch.
