Ultra-compact PSD servo drives

Paul Boughton

Parker is launching its PSD standalone and multi-axis servo drive. Designed as the company’s next generation motion product line, the PSD range is pitched at markets that include food and packaging, material forming, textile, paper, converting and plastics machinery.

The Parker PSD has been developed specifically as a servo drive family that is compatible with all geographic areas, across Europe, the Americas, Asia and beyond. The company says it is the most compact multi axis servo drive on the market today. The drives will serve as the lead product in a Parker system solution that also features a new global PAC control platform offering communication via EtherCAT real time high speed fieldbus.

In addition the new single cable DSL feedback system provides machine builders with lower cabling and installation cost. The encoder feedback between drive and motor is fully integrated into the motor power cable, and thus a separate feedback cable is not needed any longer.

The new servo drive family, available with different power rating and form factors, at present comprises: the PSD-S, a standalone version which can be connected directly to the mains supply; and PSD-M, a multi-axis system where each power module can supply up to three servo motors.

Regarding the latter, the base configuration consists of a common DC bus supply and multiple PSD-M modules connected through DC bus bars. The PSD-M modules are available as one-, two- or three-axis versions combined in a single housing, which makes the system extremely compact and flexible. In fact, PSD-M is particularly suitable for centralised automation systems, such as those found in many packaging machines where large numbers of drives are often required. This gives both OEMs and end users the opportunity to reduce build, configuration and operating costs, while boosting productivity and profitability.

Parker PSD servo drives is available with power stages in a range from 2A to 30A and offer four digital inputs and two digital outputs per axis, with connection facilitated via fast and simple direct plug-in technology. There is a removable SD card and, on the multi axes system, a common DC bus connection for energy exchange between drives. Furthermore, the drives offer good customisation potential, while a functional safety option aids the fulfillment of machinery directives.

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