New integral servo motor/drive streamlines liquid packaging

The need to run motor cables from rotating machine components to amplifiers located in control cabinets has, in the past, limited the servo automation of packaging lines for beverage, pharmaceutical, food, and other liquid products. A new integral servo motor/drive from Elau Inc . (Chicago, IL; Marktheidenfeld, Germany)—with a form factor designed to overcome physical constraints of liquid packaging lines—promises to change all that.

Called PacDrive SCL-055, the ”purpose-built” unit combines a servo motor and drive in the same trapezoidal enclosure suited for direct integration into rotary tables used in capping and labeling operations. SCL-055 cuts space requirements and simplifies bottling line design with a one-cable installation. SCL (Servomotor Capping and Labeling) units are the latest addition to Elau’s PacDrive automation system.

PacDrive SCL’s motor offers high power density, with, peak torque of 4.4 Nm (38.9 lb-in.), holding torque of 1.0 Nm (rms), and 3,000 rpm rated speed. The motor’s IP67 sealing and special (registered) surface treatment resist liquid intrusion and corrosive chemicals necessary for aseptic filling, according to Elau. A reinforced bearing handles high radial loads, allowing direct coupling of the motor to a belt drive. Also included is a high-resolution encoder (1 million increments/rev) that features automatic parameterization of the motor. One PacDrive controller can handle up to 99 SCL-055 servo motor/drives.

For an overview of this technology, also read ” Integrated, Intelligent Motors & Controls Will Be in Your Future ”

—Frank J. Bartos, Executive Editor, fbartos@reedbusiness.com

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