The more complex systems become, the more sophisticated the required data exchange is. What is the advantage of a highly efficient production process when the entire production is suddenly halted by unexpected maintenance? Intelligent networks, such as industrial Ethernet, also require a high degree of diagnostic capability for fault analysis, as well as an efficient and fast exchange of process data. For the smart size changeover, actuating drives are therefore necessary. In addition to the purely motorised changeover, these drives permit a complex data exchange with control systems, reliably detect operating states outside the fixed range, and communicate status or error messages, for example. As a result, a constantly increasing load current could signal that the adjustment axis may be heavily contaminated by pollutants and has to be cleaned during the next maintenance service. This is precisely where the intelligent actuators from Siko start. In addition to the pure exchange of process data, these actuators also make all diagnostic values available in order to prevent unplanned downtime from format setting.
The all-in-one drive
With the new AG24, Siko has now expanded its portfolio of positioning drives with intelligent real time Ethernet (RTE). In addition to the tried and tested AG25 and AG26 positioning drives, which are characterised by their ultracompact design, the AG24 has now been released to expand the portfolio of actuators. Despite the considerable output power and speed of the AG24, all the components are still integrated into one housing. No external components or junction boxes are needed to connect to a higher level controller. This means that the drive is connected only to the supply voltage, and the port for data exchange has to be connected directly to the controller or the next drive in the network. A simpler network connection is hard to imagine.
Communication standards
In industrial automation it is important that standards be met which make it easier for the system integrator to integrate the peripheral equipment into its control environment. The AG24 serves the leading standard communication interfaces Profinet, Ethernet IP, Powerlink and Ethercat. Numerous function blocks, add-on instructions as well as different libraries are important software tools which offer the user a substantial simplification of system integration. Siko now also offers a large selection of corresponding software tools for the AG24.
Power pack in all situations
With a maximum rated torque of 14 Nm, the compact AG24 drive reaches its maximum changeover speed of 150 rpm at a nominal torque of 6 Nm and can fully automate virtually any manual adjustment effortlessly. Due to the hollow shaft with clamping ring and torque support, the drive is very simply adapted to the existing machine shaft without the basic construction of the adjustment unit having to be changed. Other shaft diameters and force transmission via a feather key groove are available as an option. The robust metal housing is designed with a protection class up to IP65.
Monitoring desired
With the integrated 2-line LCD and the integrated keypad, not only can the individual IP addresses be assigned, the current actual value and the respective setpoint can also be directly monitored for diagnostics. Furthermore, via the display and the keyboard, it is possible to check each stored parameter and to adjust it if necessary. Possible operating data can be read out and errors can be diagnosed without an analysis via the fieldbus being necessary.
Maintaining position
With the integrated position controller, the setpoints are approached accurately with up to 1024 steps per revolution. With an optional integrated electromechanical brake, the position is also held securely in the case of external mechanical loads. Even without a brake, users never lose control of the positions. The integrated absolute value sensor also detects motions in the currentless state, which is why the real position of the drive can be read back at any time when the system is switched on again.
With the new AG24, Siko serves applications in which difficult manual changeovers have previously only been possible to automate with great effort. The governing philosophy is that all modules which form an intelligent drive are integrated into one unit, so no external additional components need be installed and wired.
For more information contact Instrotech, +27 (0)10 595 1831, [email protected], www.instrotech.co.za
| Tel: | +27 10 595 1831 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.instrotech.co.za |
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