Motors, Drives

Position, speed and torque control are most important with servo drives. Courtesy: Control Engineering 2019 Motor Drives Study
Motors, Drives October 12, 2019

Survey respondents offer motor drive advice

Motor drive advice was offered in a write-in question in the Control Engineering motor drive research, summarized in the September issue.

By Mark T. Hoske
Accessing the VFD’s HMI via a wireless or Bluetooth connection to adjust settings or collect diagnostic data can negate the need to suit up with personal protective equipment (PPE). This is because the operator can access the HMI without opening the enclosure containing the VFD. Courtesy: Yaskawa
Motors, Drives October 9, 2019

Smartphones help with VFD configuration: Your questions answered

Additional answers provide more details about smartphone programming for variable frequency drives (VFDs).

By Michael Hall
Figure 1: In the wake of tropical storms (hurricanes, monsoons and cyclones) with heavy rain, maintenance professionals and motor repairers need creative solutions to speed the removal of moisture and contamination from thousands of swamped motors. Courtesy: EASA
Motors, Drives October 7, 2019

How to deal with wet or flooded motors

Saltwater becomes a major problem.

By Chuck Yung
Insulation resistance tests were conducted before final reassembly. Courtesy: Sulzer
Motors, Drives September 23, 2019

Rapid overhaul of generator rotor needed due to lack of maintenance

Carrying out routine maintenance on a large turbine generator calls for expertise as well as the experience to achieve an efficient and cost-effective project.

By Alex Edwards
Motors, Drives September 6, 2019

2019 Motor Drives Study

Five trends on buying, specifying motor drives

By Amanda Pelliccione
Figure 2: A prime example of mechatronic integration is the combining of motor and drive components into one package. Exploded view of an integrated step motor shows the technique, which is applicable to other electric motor types as well. Courtesy: Applied Motion
Motors, Drives September 3, 2019

5 enduring developments in electronic motion control

Motor drives, power-switching transistors and microprocessors, sophisticated control algorithms, software influences, and mechatronic integration are among the standout electronic motion control developments.

By Frank J. Bartos, P.E.
Hybridization can help companies control and reduce energy expenditures. Courtesy: Danfoss/Control Engineering Europe
Motors, Drives August 29, 2019

Hybridization as a disruptive, profitable energy strategy for manufacturers

The basic configuration of electrical power systems for industrial and commercial applications has altered little for decades, but hybridization could change this in a disruptive and positive way.

By Steve Moore
Figure 3: Three eXtended Reality (XR) technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR), and digital twin models can add value to manufacturer applications. Courtesy: Industrial Internet Consortium
Motors, Drives August 19, 2019

Top 5 Control Engineering articles August 12-18

Articles about digitizing reality, using the cloud for business, long battery life, making the IIoT work, and IIoT's effects on the motor business were Control Engineering’s five most clicked articles from August 12-18. Miss something? You can catch up here.

By Chris Vavra
Figure 2: EASA and Plant Engineering (CFE Media) research included asset management strategies for motors and rotating equipment. Those who lag in adopting asset monitoring technologies may risk losing business to those who do. Courtesy: EASA and Plant Engineering
Motors, Drives August 16, 2019

Motors, fans, pumps, compressors: IIoT avoids downtime

Think Again: Remote monitoring, sensors, analytics and real-time intelligence is helping those who manufacture, use, and repair motors and attached critical assets to avoid downtime with prescriptive maintenance technologies, says EASA and Plant Engineering research.

By Mark T. Hoske
Courtesy: CFE Media
Motors, Drives August 16, 2019

Industrial drive specification criteria for success

The key to selecting an industrial drive is to understand how that drive has been designed and constructed to operate in conjunction with other machines and control systems.

By Paul Streatfield