Product category:
Motors and Variable speed drives
News Release from: Lenze | Subject: 8400 L-force article
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 April 2008
A new drive for the Lenze L-force
inverter family
The 8400 inverter drives are the latest to join the Lenze L-force drive and automation family, meeting requirements for robustness, flexibility, usability and innovation in a machine control system
The key challenges of the future in engineering lie in cost efficiency, time savings and improvements in quality Drive manufacturers are expected to support this with faster project planning and commissioning, more power and greater flexibility in production
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 14 Dec 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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For a number of years now engineering has faced the challenge of cutting costs in its own value-added chain while at the same time continually striving for innovation.
Rather than focusing exclusively on component prices, the approach adopted is widening to cover all production processes.
With regard to drive and automation technology, a key role is played in this context by issues like simple selection and commissioning, intuitive operation, fast servicing and adapted remote maintenance concepts.
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Selection problems are an all too common scenario in the real world.
Hours spent studying catalogues lead to an inverter selection that should be a perfect fit in terms of power, size and functionality.
However one of the needed functions is not available in the low cost entry-level model which would otherwise handle the drive task without effort.
The only alternative is to go for a high-end drive that is basically far too big and therefore unnecessarily more expensive.
As a specialist in drive and automation technology, 'Rightsizing' is how Lenze describes the requirements that have been met by their new 8400 inverter drives.
Part of the L-force range, the 8400 series enables users to find perfect-fit solutions from models that are arranged by level of functionality and drive behaviour.
From a functional standpoint, the 'BaseLine' entry-level drive is a scaled down version of the next 'StateLine' version.
This in turn is represented in full in the 'HighLine'.
The versions therefore only differ in terms of functionality and are based on drive behaviour at the shaft.
This approach protects the operator from the selection problems outlined above as there is no limiting "small print" to prevent you from making the right choice.
The same housing and fixings for the same power rating and the same terminal assignment make light work of installation.
Most especially the same software functions throughout the series, speeds commissioning and allows future modifications without having to rework all the control technology or control cabinet layout.
To ensure that the drives can be easily handled during installation, the industrial design has no visual 'bells and whistles' to prevent tidy wiring.
Instead, clean edges and straight lines support efficient control cabinet layout.
The trend for simple time-saving work continues in the configuration.
As part of L-force, the 8400 inverter drives use the L-force Engineer software as their central engineering tool for commissioning and diagnostics.
The program is very easy to use thanks to its intuitively operated interface.
The main navigation screen sorts the key functions clearly into different views.
Graphic interfaces simplify the task of the operator.
* Memory module: The concept of a pluggable memory module will be familiar to users of the 9400 Servo series, part of the Lenze L-force range.
The memory module contains all the frequency inverter parameter settings and permits parallel working.
Parameters can for example be set offline from a PC at the operator convenience and saved on any number of modules.
This is of particular benefit to series production of machines.
The clear division between software and hardware also shortens commissioning times.
The inverters with the fully programmed module are ready for use right away.
This concept also speeds up service work and increases availability of production lines.
If a drive needs replacing, neither complex reconfiguration nor data downloads to the inverter are required.
The preset module is simply plugged into the replacement drive - and off you go.
This is a task that maintenance staff from production companies can undertake on their own and plant managers need have no concerns about them forgetting to perform an all important setting.
* Productivity: The parameters of drives can be automatically set by simply selecting a predefined application, for example for 'pre-set speeds'.
The factory settings are made such that the inverters are able to deliver maximum power without overloading.
This simplifies working with the drives from the word go and most especially, makes the whole process safer.
Another benefit is the delivery concept providing accessories pre-assembled to the drive and tested.
There is no danger of extra parts being supplied loose, or on a different delivery, and subsequently being lost.
Innovation from 0.25 to 11 kW In operation the 8400 comes highly recommended thanks to its high reliability in the form of robust overload behaviour and high permissible ambient temperatures.
The 8400 series is initially being launched as BaseLine, StateLine and HighLine.
The BaseLine is available with power ratings of between 0.25 and 2.2 kW single-phase and 0.37 to 3 kW three-phase.
The StateLine and HighLine versions cover the single-phase power ratings of 0.25 to 2.2 kW and five further models are available for three phase between 0.37 and 11 kW.
Starting with the StateLine, the inverters are supplied with pre-installed shield sheets for motor and control cables.
This makes installation intuitive and reliable and in the event of service, all that is needed is for one screw to be released.
The wiring and removable plug connectors are retained on the machine, only the inverter itself is replaced.
New and greatly enhanced features such as the inverter built-in protection against damage from frequent mains switching or the new, very fast flying restart circuit offer machine manufacturers cost-cutting potential in machine design and help to increase machine productivity and reliability by reducing machine downtimes.
An environmentally-sound production process, complying with ISO 14001 and RoHS, is used. Request a free brochure from Lenze ...
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