Drive system for multi-axis machines

Staff -- Control Engineering, 8/1/2006

AcoposMulti drive system from B&R Industrial Automation offers high efficiency for multi-axis machines in the plastics, packaging, print, and textile industries. It integrates a 24-V supply for drives and PLC, PC, or peripherals (optional) to provide a compact design that ensures predictable machine behavior when power is lost. Devices can be connected directly to the common dc bus on the drive with open-circuit, short-circuit, and overload protection. Ethernet Powerlink and remote intelligence of each servo drive support the functionality of a controlled standstill.

Three cooling methods are offered. Conventional heat dissipation design eliminates the need for fans and climate control units in the switching cabinet. A feed-through heat sink with IP65 protection releases heat outside the switching cabinet and a 'cold plate' variant connects to a water or oil heat exchanger. Power supply modules regenerate power. Kinetic energy produced during braking is converted to electrical energy and regenerated into the power supply, providing an efficient, environmentally sound way to avoid heat build up. Power factor correction mechanism reduces connected load and power consumption of the machine for less fuse safeguarding and connection cross-sections. A network connection allows operational data to be recorded and analyzed.

Fastening the mounting plate with two screws establishes connection with the power supply module. In addition to the connection of the dc bus and the 24-V supply, a protective conductor connection is established via the rail system with no additional grounding measures needed. Safety according to Cat 3, EN 954-1 provides uncontrolled and controlled stops, secure limited step measurement and absolute position, secure limited speed, and secure direction of rotation. www.br-automation.com B&R Industrial Automation Corp.