March 2011
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Through the recent acquisition of Velo Control, BMG Drives has extended its product portfolio to include Danfoss variable speed drive systems.
The Danfoss range, which encompasses dedicated pump controllers, provides efficient pump performance in applications where a certain pressure or level needs to be maintained over a wide dynamic range. Danfoss pump cascade controllers, with features and functions that eliminate the need for PLCs and other external controllers, increase the efficiency of multiple pump or blower systems. These dedicated controllers ensure accurate flow, pressure and level control. This results in a lower energy consumption compared to valve throttling or the conventional across the line on/off cycling of pumps and blowers.
Cascade controllers allow staging of up to four additional drives and/or fixed speed motors. Using the master drive’s PID controller, the system provides precise control in large pumping systems. Other important features include minimal wear on driven equipment, enhanced energy savings and optimum productivity in diverse sectors.
Lead pump alternation functionality distributes running time equally across all connected pumps, ensuring optimum efficiency of the system. Wear on individual pumps is minimised and the service life of each pump is extended.
These cascade controllers also operate pumps of unequal size and are available with master/slave cascade control. The master drive controls the speed and staging on or off of the additional adjustable speed slave drives.
Running a large pump at variable speed over a wide dynamic range is not an ideal solution because of low pump efficiency. Also there is a practical limit of approximately 25% rated full load speed for running a pump. In the basic cascade control, the drive controls a variable speed motor as the lead motor and can stage up to two additional constant speed motors on and off. By varying the speed of the initial motor, variable speed control of the entire system is provided. This maintains constant pressure, eliminating pressure surges and resulting in reduced system stress and quieter operation in pumping systems. The basic cascade controller can control up to three equal size pumps, with lead pump alternation to equalise pump run time and wear. This has application in pressure booster stations, where fixed speed pumps are started and stopped as required, while the speed controlled pump or fan is utilised to match the exact flow demand, keeping the system pressure constant.
The extended pump cascade controller is available with three additional relays and the advanced controller has the option of eight additional relays.
Next-generation oil-free motor systems with active magnetic bearings
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
WEG and SpinDrive are collaborating to integrate SpinDrive’s AMBs and built-in IoT condition monitoring into WEG’s market-leading electric motor offering, creating an oil-free, maintenance-free drive solution.
Read more...Additives drive fuel efficiency and engine protection Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
Other technologies
Rising fuel costs and increasing pressure on equipment reliability are driving demand for solutions that improve diesel engine efficiency. BMG addresses this requirement in Africa through its range of Liqui Moly additives.
Read more...Direct drive with integrated control Vepac Electronics
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The PSD 40 direct drive is a mechatronic system with integrated control, bus interface and absolute measuring system, with no battery required.
Read more...AI-powered on-premises analytics for industrial drives Siemens South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Siemens is introducing a new on-premises analytics solution for industrial drive systems. The software enables users to evaluate drive data entirely within their own infrastructure and meet stringent data-sovereignty requirements.
Read more...Hydrostatic machine base for ultra-precision grinding centre
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Hyprostatik Schönfeld has developed a high-precision hydrostatic machine base for a new ultra-precision grinding centre for Optotech. The machine platform enables a previously unattainable combination of dimensional accuracy, dynamics and surface quality in the ultra-precision grinding of optical surfaces.
Read more...Innovative drive system for smart logistics Horne Technologies
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
With its new DualGear, Faulhaber presents a high-performance drive system with high dynamics, robustness and precision in a compact, diameter-compliant design.
Read more...Proportionate specification for hazardous locations
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
As automation spreads deeper into processing, handling and transport operations, motors are increasingly required to operate in spaces that sit on the edge of hazardous zones.
Read more...Redefining compact motorsport driving simulators
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Leading driver-in-the-loop simulator manufacturer, Ansible Motion has introduced the Delta T1 Sport, the first in a new class of motorsport simulators that offers high-fidelity dynamics, ultra-low latency and a fully immersive experience, all within a compact footprint and accessible price point.
Read more...The shopping cart that knows the way Horne Technologies
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
How can visually impaired and blind people shop independently in a supermarket? VIRAS supplies the answer: an autonomous shopping cart developed at the Eastern Switzerland University of Applied Sciences.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version