New Servo Drives Boost Machine Performance [Aug 2012]

August 23, 2012 8:59 am

 
Metronix’ ARS 2000 FS range of Ethernet-compatible servo drives provide up to 25 per cent faster acceleration
Metronix launches a range of servo drives for precision motion control that can boost performance and slash system building costs in dozens of common industrial automation applications. The new drives offer a peak current capability that is up to twice that of many similar drives on the market, allowing machine builders to dramatically boost acceleration times.
An increased overcurrent capability of four times the continuous output rating is being offered as standard on Metronix’ ARS 2000 FS range of Ethernet-compatible servo drives. This compares with the ~2 to 2.5 times overcurrent rating offered by many other servo drive manufacturers.
The capability can be exploited in many common motion control applications to increase the speed of moves and the overall throughput of machines. In tests that compared drives offering a two times overcurrent capability against the new ARS 2000 FS, using a range of loads on rotary and linear servo motor axes, the new drives shortened travel times by factors from around 17 to 25 per cent. The drives will sustain the overcurrent for half a second, providing considerable flexibility for the system builder.
Depending on the application and the motion profiles used, faster acceleration can have a significant impact on machine cycle times. Point-to-point moves are the most frequently used type of motion on many machines for example. Here, Metronix’ ARS 2000 FS can dramatically shorten the times required to accelerate up to full speed when using common motion profiles such as trapezoids or S-curves.
ARS 2000 FS is a family of compact panel/cabinet-mounting drives available with a choice of six single- or three-phase continuous output power ratings from 0.5 to 6 kVA, in two case sizes with widths of 59 or 69 mm (2.32 or 2.72 inches). The drives all feature a universal encoder interfacing capability that allows connection to resolvers, analog/digital incremental encoders, and single/multiturn absolute encoders such as Hiperface or EnDat. Standard communications interfaces include Ethernet, USB and the CAN fieldbus – compatible with the DS 402 CANopen device profile.
The drives also come with a built-in EMC filter, integrated brake chopper and brake resistor. Two expansion bus slots accepting plug-in modules provide a very powerful means of extending a drive’s capability for specific applications.