Hannover Fair in motion

Visitors are rarely far from exposure to motors, drives, and motion control among Hannover Fair’s multiple shows. This year was no exception.

By Control Engineering Staff May 27, 2004

Visitors are rarely far from exposure to motors, drives, and motion control among Hannover Fair’s multiple shows. This year was no exception. Here is more detail about a variety of motion control products and some developments “seen and heard” at the fair, with links to additional information.

U.S. company Animatics Corp . displayed its new ServoStep motion control system that integrates a 50-pole step motor, motion controller, drive-amplifier, and 8,000 count/rev encoder into one package. It’s part of the company’s SmartMotor technology. First product is a NEMA 34 frame size ServoStep, with continuous torque up to 650 oz-in. and 2,200 rpm nominal speed.

Nyquist Industrial Control , a developer of motion control systems complete with hardware and software, focuses on shortening product development time for machine builders. Still, focus is on software, particularly for such areas as system configuration and tuning both in the time and frequency domains. A recent addition to the company’s offerings is Kinematics and Simulation Tool (KST), which enhances users’ ability to safely evaluate machine structural designs, its kinematics (motions and movements), and application software. KST is currently under test at select Nyquist customers and expected to be commercial in 2005.

Omron ‘s expanded, applications-oriented exhibit devoted a substantial section to electric drives and motion control. The longstanding alliance between Omron and Yaskawa Electric for motion control development was made evident. The OYMC (Omron-Yaskawa motion control) initiative operates actively in Europe. A couple of “concept” products on display from OYMC were noteworthy. Matrix drive (converter)—planned for mid-2005 debut—promises to eliminate capacitors in the dc bus for longer product life, also the need for braking resistor or regeneration converter, and drastically reduces total harmonic distortion compared to a conventional drive. Also, a “scale-less” linear motor capable of 5-

A clever demo highlighted the sophistication of servo motion via two independently controlled Yaskawa Sigma Series ac servo motors “mechanically coupled” only by two thin (0.7 mm) graphite pencil inserts. Separate servo drives cycled the motors under rapidly varying speeds without breaking the fragile mechanical pencil “lead.”

Schneider Electric featured a variety of adjustable-speed drives, including its newest model, Altivar 31 drive. Technology for safety systems was also emphasized in Schneider’s booth, amid a gamut of other products. Click here to read more on Altivar 31 in the April 2004 Discrete Control Monthly eNewsletter .

Recently introduced “Memory Motor” was among exhibit highlights from VEM motors GmbH , along with explosion-proof motors and high-voltage machines. Memory Motor is said to be a first application of RFID technology for electric motors, enabling direct two-way communication of control parameters, potential fault conditions, and other user-specific motor information. It makes motor monitoring and servicing more effective, while reducing costs and production disturbances

WEG Electric ’s exhibits included low- and medium-voltage hazardous-area motors that meet Atex Directives, a variety of adjustable-speed drives, synchronous generators, contactors, and circuit breakers. Atex Directives apply, for example, to equipment used in the chemical and petrochemical industries.

—Frank J. Bartos, executive editor, Control Engineering, fbartos@reedbusiness.com