ISIS, located in Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK, is the world’s most successful pulsed spallation neutron source. It is used by scientists to probe the microscopic structure and dynamics of matter by providing controlled beams of neutrons and muons.
Advances in power component technologies notwithstanding all power semiconductors used in drives and other power electronic devices have some losses – some components higher, some lower.
Most machines incorporate one or more electric motors, the choice of which can make a significant difference to the finished machine. Depending on the type of motor, its size, and the application in question, the wrong motor can lead to excessive energy consumption, compromised reliability, noise and vibration problems, and the machine’s speed or cycle time can be adversely affected. 
Graham Kalko offers some pointers that should help non-specialists make the most of their precision motion systems.
Anew frequency inverter minimises the losses of totally enclosed fan-cooled (TEFC) induction motors used with constant and variable torque loads, especially at low speeds where motor ventilation systems are inefficient.
Vacon has introduced one of the smallest drive families in the market today, the new Vacon10. Tailored to meet various customer needs, it offers features such as integrated EMC filters, intelligent navigation and a versatile application interface. The first micro drive is designed especially for OEM customers.
The level of sophistication of drives with integrated safety functions is now increasing.
An Ethernet Powerlink servo motor drive offers an elegant migration route to new performance levels for automation builders already using CANopen DSP402 positioning drives.
Vacon has developed an ATEX-certified thermistor input which is fully integrated in the drive.
Permanent magnet synchronous motors (PM motors) fed by inverter are applied to industrial applications where variable-speed drive with constant torque and high efficiency are required as in compressors, conveyor belts, etc.
Gefran UK is launching a new range of high-performance sensorless ac variable speed drives in two package sizes covering 0.37kW to 2.2kW that deliver full torque at standstill.
Helmut Pirthauer, Michael Kunz and Kathrin Schwägerl outline the advantages of a high-performance decentralised drive series.
Due to Danfoss’ efficient power modules the VLT drives are extremely energy efficient. Ninety-eight percent of the power supplied is utilised in the application and only 2percent is lost through the drive system. Despite the small percentage of losses, 2percent of for example 450kW is still 9000W. |
