Electrical switching & drive systems & components


EtherCAT drives

2nd Quarter 2010 Electrical switching & drive systems & components

The power of simplicity.

By using EtherCAT for motion control, drives can be simplified because many functions that have traditionally resided in the drive can be migrated to the PC-based controller.

The AX5000 servo drive series from Beckhoff is being expanded to include drives with higher rated currents. A total of six new servo drives enhance the universally designed family for highly dynamic positioning tasks. Beckhoff is responding to the increasing demand for drives with greater power to replace pneumatic or hydraulic drives with more maintenance-friendly electrical axes, or to better cope with high dynamic demands under increased load conditions.

Since no local parameter storage is required at the drive, commissioning, maintenance and replacement are greatly simplified. All motion control functions are intelligently handled by the centralised PC-based controller. The advantage of full EtherCAT integration means that no additional interface cards are required in the drive.

The drive series from Beckhoff integrates high-end control technology while supporting fast and highly dynamic positioning tasks. The drives utilise EtherCAT for high-performance system communication that is ideal to interface with PC-based control technology. The single-channel servo drives from the AX51xx series (rated up to 25 A) and the dual-channel AX52xx series (rated up to 2 x 6 A) are available and already in use.

The AX51xx will be supplemented with servo drives rated from 60 to 170 A for higher power. The drives are designed in three sizes with rated currents of 60, 72, 90, 110, 143 and 170 A. Motors of different sizes and types can be connected without additional measures. Examples include synchronous, linear, torque and asynchronous motors. The multifeedback interface supports all common standards.

The 120 kW power packs are suitable for the replacement of hydraulic drives or for use as the main drive in machines with many small drives. Preferred applications for these high-powered drives include plastics processing, extruders, metal working, milling and boring machines.

For more information contact Kenneth McPherson, Beckhoff Automation, +27 (0)11 795 2898, [email protected] , www.beckhoff.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Precise detection of complex rotational movements
Beckhoff Automation Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The EP3751-0260 EtherCAT Box module by Beckhoff connects an acceleration sensor with an inertial measurement unit - a gyroscope. This provides accurate detection of acceleration and rotational motion in addition to shock, vibration and tilt measurement, both as preprocessed values and as raw sensor data.

Read more...
Energy management system for electrohydrostatic actuation systems
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
In the machine manufacturing industry, more drive systems are being converted from servo-hydraulic throttle to electrohydrostatic actuation systems. The four-quadrant capability of the electrohydrostatic pump unit and servo drive used in this technology, in combination with the new Moog energy management system, allows regenerative power flows generated during braking or pressure relief to be stored and reused.

Read more...
Drive solution for stacker reclaimer
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Hägglunds Drives South Africa recently completed a retrofit project on the bucket wheel of a stacker reclaimer at Richards Bay Coal Terminal. The project entailed replacing a gearbox drive solution with a direct drive solution from Hägglunds Drives SA.

Read more...
Kamoa-Kakula power pack order for SEW-EURODRIVE
SEW-EURODRIVE Electrical switching & drive systems & components
With well over 100 units already delivered, SEW-EURODRIVE is set to continue supplying Ivanhoe Mines’ prestigious Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Read more...
Seven ways to reduce production downtime on the plant
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Production downtime is one of the biggest risks in the manufacturing industry. Follow these seven tips to reduce machine downtime in your production line.

Read more...
The time is now to implement a motor management strategy
Schneider Electric South Africa Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Motor management plays an all-important role in controlling motor energy costs in various industries, segments and applications. Research and practical experience have consistently shown that effective motor management practices can result in significant energy savings, reduced operational costs, and improved overall system reliability.

Read more...
Rapid overhaul of compressor motors
ACTOM Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Marthinusen & Coutts Zambia was requested by a smelter based in the Copperbelt to provide an in-country repair solution for its two critical 4,5 MW compressor motors. The company was given only three weeks in which to overhaul and commission the motors.

Read more...
PC-based motion control on a labelling machine
Beckhoff Automation Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
For 50 years, Bausch+Ströbel in Germany has been developing packaging and production systems for the pharmaceutical industries. The company’s goal is to offer the best technical and economical solutions for the challenges of modern industry. Its new ESA1025 labelling machine shows how this is achieved with PC-based control from Beckhoff as the central motion controller.

Read more...
Thrust for hybrid electric flying
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Several leading academic institutes in Germany are collaborating on the future of hybrid electric flying. The partners are researching an entirely new propulsion system for medium-range aircraft with up to 35 passengers.

Read more...
Precise knowledge for precise applications
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Aerotech has been supplying standard product solutions such as motors, drives, controls and positioning tables since 1970. Customised motion subsystems include positioning systems on granite structures with undercarriage and vibration isolation, and also external measurement systems.

Read more...