Drives enhanced to enable Profinet and EtherCAT

The 8400 motec frequency inverter drive by Lenze Americas has been enhanced ton enable plug-and-drive communication via real-time Ethernet networks for plants covering large areas.

June 4, 2012

Lenze Americas has enhanced its decentralized 8400 motec frequency inverter drives to enable plug-and-drive communication via real-time Ethernet networks. The addition of plug-in interfaces for Profinet and EtherCAT make it possible to seamlessly integrate the relatively simple variable speed 8400 motec drives into existing, high-performance communications networks.

The 8400 motec inverter drives are power dense, energy efficient and a dynamic solution for controlling motion at the source. Suitable for applications in plants covering large areas, the 8400 motec inverter constitutes a robust mechatronic unit that offers optimal plant flexibility. The sophisticated design structure comprises three modules—a drive unit, communication unit and wiring unit. The compact size and IP 65 protection rating make the 8400 motec suitable for screw mounting outside the control panel directly on or near the motor—enabling quick commissioning and space savings in the control cabinet.

In comparison with conventional bus systems, which have one data bundle for each separate node, the 8400 motec inverter eliminates the need for extra hardware and an "interpreter" between various protocols. The addition of direct I/O connections to Profinet and EtherCAT to the communication unit simplifies the process of integrating decentralized Lenze drives into the control system.

Lenze Americas

www.lenzeamericas.com 

– Edited by Chris Vavra, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com 

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