SPS Nuremburg November 2012 saw Control Techniques launch its much awaited Unidrive M series, a groundbreaking new family of drives tailored specifically to the needs of manufacturing automation customers and machine builders. By taking the innovative step of designing its next generation of drives specifically for customers in the manufacturing sector, Control Techniques is able to target customer specific requirements more thoroughly than it could before. The company’s global market research and engineering design programmes have resulted in a family of seven drives, each with high levels of performance and functionality. Every drive has been carefully designed to meet the requirements of, and improve productivity in, a specific area of the manufacturing market.
At a global series of press conferences that formed the build-up to the launch, Control Techniques president, Enrique Minarro Viseras, explained the strategy. “Once the Unidrive M family is launched, Control Techniques will enter other industry segments with additional drive ranges targeted specifically towards our other main market sectors. Ultimately, the idea is to replace the broad based functionality of Unidrive SP with a more specifically focused range of offerings.” The Unidrive SP will however still be available to customers that prefer the broad based functionality, a feature which has made it a leader in drives solutions and systems.
Customer centric design
This vision for the future is no accident: “It evolved from an extensive series of customer interviews and adaptive surveys,” said Minarro Viseras. “This will enable us to match our products precisely to the requirements of users in all sectors in a way that will allow our company to revolutionise the drives market for the benefit of all our customers.”
Top of the range is the Unidrive M800 which integrates a high performance MCi machine controller within the drive. The solution is designed to enhance machine throughput by providing comprehensive control across complete customer machines. They are configured using the industry leading Codesys programming environment with standard IEC 61131-3 programming languages and Ethernet for communication across drives, I/O, HMIs, PLCs and other industrial devices. Control Techniques’ synchronised multi tasking structure and advanced motion control expertise complete the high performance offering, fully utilising open and industry standard technologies.
The advanced new Real Time Machine Control Protocol uses standard Ethernet TCP/IP and UDP to provide an efficient and compact message structure that frees up bandwidth and minimises network loading. This allows Unidrive M models to talk directly to each other instead of having to route all communications through the traditional machine controller. Each Ethernet-enabled drive incorporates a dual port switch with standard RJ45 connectors, greatly simplifying the tasks associated with machine networking.
Certain applications, such as electronic line shafts, can be set up without having to write any programming code at all. In these instances, the drives will start communicating with one another automatically, synchronising their control loops for seamless operation. Standard Ethernet allows the protocols to work alongside others, such as Profinet RT, Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP/IP.
Configuration tools
Based on the in-depth user research, another area of innovation in the development of Unidrive M has been the PC tools: Unidrive M Connect and Machine Control Studio.
Unidrive M Connect is the new drive configuration and monitoring software, designed to make it easy to access the full feature sets. The tool allows users to optimise drive tuning, back up the configuration set and troubleshoot more quickly.
Machine Control Studio supports Control Techniques’ new integrated MCi machine control functionality within Unidrive M. The software provides a full function automation development environment to meet manufacturing automation application requirements.
“These new configuration tools have an operational focus,” says Sanjith Singh, national sales manager, Control Techniques Southern Africa. “This means the user does not need to know about specific drives or parameter menus for tasks such as drive and application set up, system and drive monitoring, optimisation of motor performance or even for writing advanced system programmes.” Singh adds that Control Techniques has always been a leader in variable speed drive technology, with the goal of creating value for both the company and its customers.
Loop performance and efficiency
Control Techniques’ drives have traditionally been able to solve the most demanding machine applications. The new Unidrive M family takes performance even further, more than doubling the bandwidth of the control loops. The unique motor control algorithms, combined with the latest microprocessor technology, ensure that the Unidrive M range offers the highest stability and performance for all industrial motor types. This enables users to maximise machine throughput in every application and with every motor, from standard AC induction motors to high dynamic linear motors and from energy saving permanent magnet motors to high performance servo devices.
“There are a total of seven products in the range: M100 is the entry level, with functionality and power increasing as one moves up the range towards the flagship M800,” concludes Singh. “Each Unidrive M model has been tailored to specific application needs from those in automotive to roll winding in the metals industry. The Control Techniques open solution approach allows us to offer an ideal drive solution to engineers and machine builders coping with modern design challenges in today’s fast paced automation industry.
“Exciting times lie ahead for Control Techniques and Emerson. Our new range of products will allow us to meet tomorrow’s needs today.”
For more information contact Sanjith Singh, Control Techniques, +27 (0)83 647 1782, [email protected], www.controltechniques.co.za
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