Product category:
Motors and Variable speed drives
News Release from: Nord Drivesystems | Subject: Nordac SK500
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 04 February 2008
Inverters cut variable-speed motor
control costs
A new family of compact frequency inverters from Nord Gear UK can be adapted easily to suit specific applications - from simple speed control of AC motors, to complex movement automation
A novel 200% overload capability will in many cases allow a smaller inverter drive to be selected, cutting as much as 10% off typical equipment costs Motor torques of 200% nominal level can even be delivered at zero speed
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 10 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Called the Nordac SK500, the new inverter family spans power output ratings from 0.25 to 7.5 kW, covering a large range of common industrial applications, and comes complete with integrated RFI filters.
Units can be selected and configured to provide simple V/Hz control of motor speed, or more sophisticated sensorless current vector operation - with optional encoder feedback for full closed-loop control.
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Optional software allows units to be used to perform precision positioning tasks.
Moreover, Nordac SK500 family inverters can store up to four complete programmes, allowing systems to be reconfigured in seconds for different control functions or production routines.
All Nordac SK500 family inverters are equipped with a flexible range of serial, digital and analogue I/O: the minimum complement is RS232 and RS485 ports, 5 digital inputs and 1 analogue output, plus two analogue inputs that are reconfigurable as digital channels.
Higher-specification inverters offer even more I/O, encoder inputs, plus dual CANopen fieldbus ports for I/O expansion, factory networking, etc.
Expansion interfaces on all models allow the inverters to be fitted with alternative fieldbus interfaces including ASi, DeviceNet, Profibus and Interbus - providing a simple means of integrating the equipment with existing factory networks and equipment.
The generous overload capability of Nordac SK500 family inverters is particularly useful for system builders.
Overload currents of 200% can be provided for 3.5 seconds.
However, overload currents of 150% can be maintained for a full minute, providing a quite exceptional performance margin.
This can be readily exploited by system builders to save costs when automating processes that might require high starting torques for example, or be exposed to occasional high shock loads.
Another valuable cost-saving feature available on higher-specification family members is a built-in 'Safety Stop' function complying with the EN 954-1 standard, and which can be used to implement either category 3 (single channel stop) or category 4 (dual channel stop).
The feature can be used to isolate the motor from the frequency inverter, or to isolate the motor from the inverter and additionally disable the inverter.
This integrated safety can be used to ensure that the operators have guaranteed levels of protection when performing maintenance on a machine, or for day-to-day needs such as when intervening to clear a jam.
It greatly simplifies and lowers the costs of system building by eliminating cabling plus line contactor and switching components.
Configuration and control of the inverter can be achieved by means of PC software that has diagnostic functions such as a 4-channel oscilloscope, and/or a simple multi-language operator keypad that can be clipped on the front panel.
The Nord Gear assembly facility at Abingdon, UK, will supply the new inverters configured and programmed to suit the application, or pre-assembled with matched motors and gears to simplify production processes for any OEM.
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