Upgrade brings more safety.

The latest update to Kollmorgan's SafeMotion™ Monitor (SMM) firmware has been announced. This upgrade, SMM2.0, allows OEMs to leverage SMM functional safety features with more encoder and motor types to support a wider range of applications such as material forming, multi-axis measurement equipment, food processing and food packaging.

Originally standard for the 2G Motion System, SMM2.0 will now be compatible with all motors that feature any HIPERFACE-DSL rotary-safe feedback system. This includes the AKM2G and AKMA motor lines, which now feature a wider range of feedback system options. SMM2.0 also enables a second instance of Safe Operating Stop (SOS) for greater design flexibility.

As a result of updated regulations related to functional safety enacted by the EU, customers across the globe, in a wide range of industries, are seeking upgrades to meet these new standards. SMM2.0 makes compliance easier, with a comprehensive set of 16 safety features, including SafePosition, SafeStop and SafeSpeed.

“As the demand for functional safety increases, we want to make it easier for our customers to build this capability into their machine designs,” said Christopher Cooper, Product Management Senior Director. “We’re excited to announce that SMM2.0 provides easy, drive-resident functional safety for a wider range of motors, for even more demanding applications.”

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Motion System.

Demonstrates value of single-source solutions and system-based design.

The 2G Motion System is a servo solution from Kollmorgen, based on the latest thinking about single-source, systems-based design. The 2G Motion System was designed specifically to harness the performance capabilities of their AKD2G servo drive and AKM2G servo motor.

Motor and drive are precisely matched in every element (e.g. drive switching frequency, commutation algorithms, motor magnetics), avoiding micro-incompatibilities that can occur when engineers select components from various manufacturers. The result is a system that delivers maximum performance, efficiency, and effectiveness in even the most demanding applications, including: industrial printing, laser cutting, packaging, robotics, inspection and measurement, machine tools, winding machines, and food processing.

Key benefits of the 2G Motion System include:

• Reduced design envelope: For new machine designs, the AKM2G allows designers to decrease the size, complexity, and footprint of the machine, while still getting the power and performance their application needs. The AKM2G can also be dropped into existing machines to increase performance, compared to competing motors, without increasing the size of the motor. The AKD2G includes SafeMotion options, expandable I/O, and dual-axis models, all without increasing drive size. • Increased dynamic performance: The AKM2G can reduce indexing and move and settle times by delivering increased torque and power in the same size or smaller package. • Faster development and commissioning: The 2G Motion System optimizes performance in every system configuration, saving machine engineers the time and effort of evaluating various vendors and component combinations. • Machine cost savings: Single-cable design, dual-axis drives, and co-engineered options reduce material and machine assembly costs. Improved motor and drive efficiencies reduce energy consumption, lowering operational costs. • Special features: Kollmorgen Servo on a ChipTM, SafeMotion monitor, WorkBench GUI, extended I/O variant, extensive feedback options, single- and dual-cable options, shaft, mounting, and connector options, holding brake option, and much more.

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Linear Actuators with integrated servo motors.

Thomson Industries now offers users of its PC Series precision linear actuators an optional, pre-mounted and pre-tested servo motor.  Bundling linear actuators with servo motors simplifies ordering, reduces the need for additional validation after installation, increases reliability, and reduces the total cost of owning and operating an actuator system.

“Inconsistencies in the way in which servo motors are mated with actuators can impact performance, reliability, and eventually the performance life of both the actuator and the motor,” said Niklas Sjöström, Product Line Manager – Systems Group for Thomson. “By pre-assembling and pre-testing standard integration with our PC Series family at the factory level, we save users the trouble of sizing, selecting and mounting the right motor for their application.”

Pre-installing and configuring Kollmorgen AKM servo motors complements the industry leading capabilities of the PC Series actuators, which have been demonstrated to provide four times the travel life of any other actuator of comparable size available today, double the power and load density, 25 percent better thrust force and side load handling, as well as higher speed and longer stroke length.  Integrating a servo motor so tightly with PC Series provides users with the following additional benefits:

Optimum motor matching.
All Thomson PC Series linear actuators can be ordered with a broad selection of Kollmorgen AKM servo motors, fully-integrated and tested.

Easier sizing and selection. 
Because Thomson has already identified and tested a wide range of configurability options and has provided a tool that helps map applications to motor sizing, it takes less than 15 minutes to find the right combination. Downloadable and configurable 3D CAD models contribute to the solution. All parameters, including length, motor orientation, mounting adapters and screw leads, are fully customisable.

Fast and reliable installation. 
Once the actuator/motor combination is selected, the unique Thomson RediMount™ motor mounting system speeds implementation by reducing the time spent aligning the actuator and motor. Should a customer prefer using their own motor make and type, they may still reap the benefits of the RediMount system, giving  the ability to seamlessly fit more than 600 different motor alternatives to the PC Series actuators. ISO standard mounting interfaces are also available to facilitate upgrades from pneumatic technologies.

Reduced maintenance.
Pre-aligning the system extends life by compensating for system alignment, complementing the maintenance benefits already gained from the PC Series’ IP65 rating and corrosion resistance.

Top quality servo motors
Thomson chose to pre-install Kollmorgen AKM servo motors because of their proven, high-quality motor range, complemented by a broad array of servo drives and programmable positioning controllers for both single- and multi-axis applications. Some of the benefits include:
•       Best-in-class performance with industry leading power density
•       Exceptionally low cogging and harmonic distortion to ensure smooth performance
•       Easy to commission and use with plug-and-play motor recognition and full-frequency auto-tuning on AKD™ Series servo drives

Availability
Thomson PC Series linear actuators with an integrated Kollmorgen AKM servo motor option are available in Europe immediately. They can be selected online using tools and diagrams that simplify finding the actuator/motor combination that meets the customers’ application needs. Customers with their own brand of motor can still be benefited by the RediMount system.

@Thomson_Ind #PAuto @AboutKollmorgen

Decentralized servo technology without language barriers.

Since the issue of communication automatically arises with selection of the relevant automation, Kollmorgan has now made it easier to connect the relevant control system to the decentralized servo technology in the form of the decentralized AKD-N series using a multi-language interface.

Kollmorgan  develops a multi-language interface for Profinet, Ethernet/IP, EtherCAT & Co. Although machinery and plant engineering certainly has international characteristics, there are still some continental- specific features that need to be accounted for with technical equipment. These include in particular the selection of control systems, as well as the language spoken in the bus. The prevalence of Rockwell with Ethernet/IP in America and of Siemens with Profinet in Europe is a good example of this. These regional practices mean that manufacturers supplying both regions need to equip their machinery with the relevant control systems as required.

Author: Hack Alexander, Kollmorgan

Benefits of Modularization
Space savings, increased energy efficiency and lower installation and assembly costs are just three of the benefits of using decentralized servo technology in mechanical engineering. First of all, the positioning of the control engineering in the immediate vicinity of the actual drive task creates space in the control cabinet. These can be smaller as a result, allowing them to be integrated more easily and in a more compact manner in machine racks. Aside from a more efficient operating surface, the AKD-N devices also provide greater freedom to development departments for constructing new machines with less spatial restrictions through their robust design and IP 65 degree of protection.

Another effect of moving the servo drive technology to the machine: the thermal losses are no longer concentrated at one spot in the control cabinet, which in turn saves money by eliminating air conditioning and thereby reducing operating costs over the long term. As a result of derating, Kollmorgan has made a conscious decision to develop the AKD-N decentralized servo controllers as an offset solution. This way the devices provide full power. With the hybrid “piggyback” solution the thermal discharge from the motors can result in more than 30 percent power loss. The “next door” approach also creates more freedom in selecting a motor compared with having everything in the center.

Motors Selection: Maximum Freedom
Standardized synchronous motors, customer-specific special motors, hygienic premium steel motors in protection class IP69K, linear and rotating direct drives and asynchronous machines: decentralized AKD servo controllers can cope with whichever motor you are controlling! This makes it so easy in practice to use the best system for the relevant drive task, without having to get bogged down in the multiple versions available. Since the decentralized controllers also use the same functional AKD platform, mixed forms of centralized and decentralized controllers can also be easily implemented within the same application. All in all, Kollmorgan supports designs for perfect-fitting solutions with a high degree of standardization, which ultimately reduces storage, documentation and purchasing costs.

The features of the decentralized servo technology outlined briefly can be used independently of the higher-level control system thanks to further developments in communication. Profinet, Ethercat, Ethernet/IP: machine and plant manufacturers no longer need to worry about the language of their control system thanks to the multi-language interface. As communication in their AKD-N system is ultimately now just a question of the software settings, the actuators can be adapted “at the touch of a button” if the PLC changes based on market differences. This way manufacturers have the benefit of being able to design their machines free from country-specific features or their customers’ special plant regulations. It is also much easier to modularize the whole ensemble – an aspect for which decentralized servo technology, in particular, is able to demonstrate its full performance capacity.

Parameterize using a few movements
For Silvester Tribus, CEO of TBM Automation AG (CH), this independence forms the basis for integrating machines into an existing plant network more easily and quickly. “We deal with very special requirements and needs related to functions or data logging on a daily basis. If we are open in terms of the protocols, we are able to meet these requests with every control system.”

What is specified and in what format differs greatly in the experience of the Swiss CEO. “Some customers specify the control system, some the entire technology, and for others it doesn’t matter. They want their machine fitted out in such a way that they achieve the required performance and quality – the exact way that this is done is left to us.” In terms of communication the full-service partner for industrial automation from Widnau, south of Lake Constance, always states that machinery and plant engineering is in great shape when programming a control system, but regarding the field bus the matter “is becoming more difficult”. As a result Kollmorgan has written the finished software modules for the multi-language interface and collated these in a library that reproduces at least 80 percent of the basic functions. “The remainder can be adjusted in just a few parameterization steps”, says Tribus.

The multi-language interface is integrated into the enclosure for the central AKD-C supply unit. The decentralized servo controllers are connected to the control cabinet unit with just one cable – arranged in a line rather than in awkward star wiring. The AKD-C feed-in module can be used to connect up to 16 decentralized AKD-N servo axes via the grid-bound DC supply. The system cables are just 11 millimeters thick and therefore require less space. The eight-pin structure on the inside draws the DC supply of the decentralized AKD-N drives, provides the 24V supply, the bus communication, transmits signals and brake management.

The Bottom Line
With the new multi-functional communication interface which is unique in the drive technology market, KOLLMORGEN provides an option for switching between control systems with just one “click” with decentralized drive architectures. This makes it possible to design machines free from restrictions on the PLC side. The multi-language communication module supports the entire ensemble with local logic for extremely rapid reactions at the servo axis in micro seconds. The new communication module thereby opens up closed systems, enabling completely new and open designs.

@AboutKollmorgen #PAuto

Maximum speed and energy efficiency with hybrid design!

Tisse and Kollmorgen have together developed an electric-hydraulic Hybrid Machine. The Hybrid Machine can manufacture difficult and sensitive products at high speeds; its power and quality eliminate problems like ejection errors and high quantity of wastage. It also increases the production rate and provides energy efficiency up to 35-40% compared to the competition.

Kollmorgen AKD Servodrive

eS-Drive450 Tisse is the result of the cooperation between Kollmorgen engineering and Tisse Plastic Injection Molding Machines Company. It is the first hybrid plastic injection molding machine, whose injection part includes an electric system and a hydraulic system comprised of clamping and conveying as well as an ejection unit. The hybrid design provides speed and energy saving in manufacturing. The entire software of the machine was written by Kollmorgen, in house, from scratch.

The injection part of the hybrid machine consists of 2 servo motors, whereas clamping, conveying and ejection parts form the hydraulic system. However, because the pump of the hydraulic system is driven using servo motor, the machine may be called a full electric hybrid.

The reason why servo motors were used in the injection part was to provide crucial acceleration and sensitive pressure balance, making it easy and quick for the liquid plastic to be injected in to the mold.. Speed is of great importance especially for molding thin-walled packaging products. For instance, because products, such as the lids of yoghurt pots cool very quickly, the process is required to be completed immediately.

Seref Karaoglan, project manager of Kollmorgen Turkey, speaks about the machine performance: “We often witness that manufacturers have difficulty in manufacturing such products. We designed the hybrid not only to provide energy efficiency but also to increase speed. People think it is not easy to manufacture such machine because, for instance, we apply 10 different speed stages and 10 different pressure stages in accordance with the type of mold in order to make a movement of 90mm (P/Q). It is really not easy to do this just with any servo motors but we used Kollmorgen’s S600 drives and PDMM controllers.”

Ömer Sengelen

Omer Sengelen, Production Manager of Tisse Machine, summarized their position in the sector: “We are endeavoring to add remarkable features even to typical machines. Actually, we quit manufacturing injection molding machines in 2000. In 2008, however, we noticed that there was a need for blow molding machines and we started manufacturing again. With the expertise and high product quality that we developed through our partnership with Elsim Kollmorgen, we have become capable with very high-level injection molding machinery. ”

Clamping systems in normal injection molding machines are usually problematic. The injection molding might be fast but the clamping is the negative side. The compression ratio is less, but they cause great expenses at high speed. The clamping part in hydraulic injection machines is always as per specifications, but complaints about the injection speed predominate. Their maximum speed is between 100mm/h and 200mm/s. This hybrid machine has the best side of those 2 systems. While it enables the clamping and other parts of the machine which require power to run fast, it is also able to reach a speed of 300mm/h by getting the injection system to work with servo motors. In addition to these advantages, it provides energy saving in the pump of the hydraulic system by using servo motors.

Project manager of Kollmorgen Turkey, Seref Karaoglan says, “The reason why electric machines are liked is that they are energy efficient unlike AC motors, in the hydraulic part of old machines, that keep cycling even while the machine is off and consume energy even if you do nothing.”

Special Valve Technology
Regeneration is provided through the special valve used in the hydraulic system of the machine. Suppose that the grease taken from the tank and injected into the system, supplies 100 units of energy in the classical systems. Thanks to this valve, the grease coming out of the system is re-injected into the system, instead of transferring it into the tank. Thus, you obtain extra power up to 60%. According to Seref Karaoglan, you get extra speed as well as extra power, and “It is like the generator of a car charging the accumulator. We could have used standard valves for the clamping parts because we had acceleration in the injection part. But thanks to this special valve, we use the clamping system as if it is electrically operated, and increase the speed thanks to regeneration.”

Parallel Power through Two Different Motors
Another stellar feature of the machine is that 2 different motors are used in the injection process, getting parallel power through each other. The motors are connected by very special screws that run synchronously. These screws enable the motors to cycle with high-precision in less than 1/10mm, and they provide stable running even at high speed.

Efficient Communication System
The speed doubles because the injection nozzle in the machine is pushed and pulled by twin motors. Seref Karaoglan says, “Kollmorgen communication systems allow the synchronous work of two motors on the same mechanical system but running independently. If one of the motors runs at a speed slower than 1/10mm, it might damage the screws, which are very special and expensive. The communication time and synchronization of the motors takes less than 1 m/s."

High-Tech Braking
The motors used in the machine are quite heavy and powerful. “We took all kinds of measurements in the event of any communication problems between each other. 6.5kW of braking resistance is used in the system because the flywheel effect comes out while the screws and balls gain acceleration.” Seref Karaoglan also points out that it gets really difficult to control the speed and says, "The products we use here are those developed by Kollmorgen and include plates providing stepped braking. It would have been impossible for me to succeed in this project with standard braking resistances.”

Special Pump Software
There are 2 important elements in grease-powered systems: Speed and Pressure. The software developed for this machine, ensures the desired pressure at the desired speed. Seref Karaoglan says, "We can use 10 different PQ distances. We are also using this advantage on the clamping system. Thanks to the servo motored pump software, we reach the desired speed within 150-200ms and despite this speed, we provide the desired pressure on an error band of 2 or 3 bars.”

Kollmorgen’s machine automation solution brings highly integrated and intuitive software programming platform, top of the range movement components and extraordinary co-operated engineering services in order to create highly differentiated machines and more profitable business organizations. It has been proven that Kollmorgen Automation Suite™ accelerates the development process, raises the machine manufacturing, reduces wastage and increases hardware efficiency (OEE).

Stop when you’re at your best.

Change at Kollmorgan affectiong Scandinavia, Ireland and Great Britain.

Stewart Dowsett

Ian Young, Key Account Manager for Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia, is retiring. The highly likeable Englishman has worked nine years Kollmorgen and is now transitioning his role to Stewart Dowsett. British-born Dowsett brings over 25 years of automation experience - especially in the field of industrial automation and motion control.

Stewart Dowsett studied mechanical engineering at Brunel Technical College Bristol and began his career in a manufacturing environment before moving in to industrial sales, moving from a business development role to sales management role in Britain. Dowsett brings extensive expertise in motor and drive technology and will mainly focus on business develop of the OEM business in the Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia, whilst continuing to support and develop the established Kollmorgan partners.

Twice the capacity - More capacity, more opportunities.

Kollmorgen servo controllers now feature up to 48 A output current

Kollmorgen has extended the maximum output current of the AKD series of servo amplifiers to open up new areas of application. The new devices have a continuous output current rating of 48 A, compared to a 24 A maximum in the past.

Even applications that require extra-strong drives can now use a Kollmorgen servo motor solution as an efficient alternative to complex centralised hydraulic systems. For instance, metal forming machinery can now be driven directly with the new servo controllers.

Another application area is distributed servo hydraulic systems. There the AKD servo controllers can drive distributed hydraulic pumps so directly and precisely that there is no longer any need for valve units. Servo hydraulic units also need less pipework, which significantly reduces the cost and volume of the hydraulic systems. The AKD servo controllers with a 48 A current rating have the same functionality as the other devices in the series, augmented by a two-channel STO for functional safety.

Centralized or Decentralized?

Dr. Arne Linder, Product Management at Kollmorgan's Ratingen (D) plant considers which architecture type delivers the best technical and commercial advantages ?

Dr. Arne Linder

Decentralising servo technology can bring machine and plant construction savings during installation. Two additional advantages include reduced cabinet heat loads and more straight forward drive architecture. The question arises however, which technology is better, an integrated motor/drive solution or a detached motor and drive?

So often in life the answer to a question is neither A or B, but instead C. This is true for the discussion of decentralized versus centralized servo technology in determining the best system. What architecture is best from a commercial and technical standpoint for a particular application? Instead of A or B, the answer C comes about through mixed architectures, a coexistence of both types. In this case the two approaches can be easily combined when the drives have a large number of common features. As such, standardization of these platforms is the best approach.

Space-saving drive solutions with a modular design are required for machines in the food and packaging industries. Distributed servo technology supports this trend.

The centralized architecture
In contrast to horizontal conveying where decentralized servo drives are a common sight, centrally located servo drives are still dominate the market for highly dynamic and precise motion control. Servo drives along with other control components, sometimes with a full blown IPC, reside together in a control cabinet protected from the outside world. Connection to the motors is in a star shaped structure, each having control and power cables. Because heat loss is centrally generated, effective air conditioning is needed in the cabinet.

The decentralized alternative
Decentralized servo technology follows the basic principal of shifting the individual motor control from the central control cabinet to be closely located to the process This architecture makes necessary a robust design providing a high degree of environmental protection. The advantage lies particularly in terms of motor cabling. Two other advantages are improved EMC-behavior and the widespread distribution of heat loss, reducing the cost or need for a centralized cabinet climate control system.

Trends in machine building industry
Especially with packaging machinery and machines for the food and beverage industry, the trend is away from meter long cabinet walls but instead installing small, highly self-protected units within the machine frame. The progressive trend is toward modularization of production facilities making necessary the distribution or combination of functions. This statement is reinforced by the fact that production equipment consist of a main process and ancillary tasks. The latter are a variety of compatible modules – for example conveyor systems, sorters and handling units. This provides a path for easy expansion of the machine. Against this backdrop, practical experience shows that a decentralized structure is advantageous, especially with spatially distributed single axes. In contrast, machine modules for synchronized axis physically close together and centrally located drives in a cabinet are generally considered the preferred structure.

The layout is a distributed servo drive architecture
 with AKD-N servo drives, different motor types,
and single-cable connection technology.

Monetary savings in installation and mounting
The savings potential of decentralized technology can be clearly shown based on a real metal forming machine having eight axes. The first axis of which is located 5 meters away from the control cabinet with each additional axis located 3 meters further. A centralized control system would be characterized by a central control cabinet housing the drives with each motor having separate shielded power and feedback cables adding up to 248 meters of cable.

Specifically designed the distributed servo drives
for the AKD-N range as distributed devices,
so that there are no deductions in power density.

Instead, a combination of a single KOLLMORGEN AKD-C power supply module and 8 decentralized AKD-N servo controllers would reduce the cable requirement to 34 meters. The calculation: A single 5 meter hybrid cable supplying power and field bus for axis control is connected between the power supply module and the first decentralized controller. A single hybrid cable 3 meters long connects each additional drive for a total of 21 meters. Because we assume that each motor is located 1 meter away from each decentralized AKD-N drive KOLLMORGEN provides a one-cable motor connection technology, only 8 additional meters of cable is required. Overall, the decentralized system reduced the cable requirements from 248 to 34 meters, a savings of 86 percent. These figures represent an idea of the overall monetary gains for the OEM including cable costs and reduction in assembly effort. When the axes require additional I/O the reduction in cabling is even more obvious. Instead of 372 meters, only 42 meters is needed, a corresponding saving of 89 percent.

Another benefit of the relocation of drives is the reduction of power dissipated in the control cabinet. This effectively reduces the requirements for air conditioning thus providing direct saving for both the OEM and end user. As such, the control cabinet air conditioner can be reduced in size or completely eliminated, reducing costs for hardware and subsequent operation ultimately increasing energy efficiency.

Technical advantages by decreasing complexity
The AKD -N series KOLLMORGEN drives provide IP67 protection and connection via an eleven millimeter diameter hybrid cable to the central supply module in the control cabinet. This single cable provides power and communications without the need for any additional cabling. Each AKD –C supply module can support two strings of AKD -N drives up to 4 kW each, and up to 8 AKD –N drives per string. Safe Torque Off shutdown performed via the hybrid cable comes as standard, and can be implemented for each drive individually or as group. Also, only one cable is necessary between the distributed servo controller and its connected motor thanks to a new single-cable technology. Two cables are no longer required to provide motor power and feedback. In material handling applications where precise motion is demanded, separate cable trays or tow chains are often required for motor and feedback cables. This requirement is now reduced because there is much less cabling.

Winning with increased design freedom
Sample calculations show that the decentralized servo technology saves space in combination with the single-cable connection technology between motor and controller. This benefit results in smaller cable trays, lighter drag chains, and more compactness giving more design freedom in the development of new machines. This freedom resulted primarily from the fact that the distributed technology extends modularization capabilities in comparison to the unflexible, central control design. The bottom line is that this allows new OEM plants to create new machines from already developed modules making the engineering more efficient.

More order in the tangle of cables: If servo drives are used right next to motors, the elaborate power wiring from a central control cabinet can be dispensed with. Installation becomes clearer.

Distributed drive technology as a hybrid
A second way to decentralize is with the use of a hybrid integrated solution. These are combined motor and servo controller units without the need for external wiring. This so-called “piggyback” solution has the disadvantage of drive derating with increased ambient temperature. The higher the ambient the more performance reduction occurs in order for the drive to self-protect from overheating. This relationship ensures in practice that the motors must be larger than otherwise necessary to give the required performance within acceptable temperature limits for the electronics. Typical servo tasks such as rapid acceleration and deceleration during positioning can be especially difficult in the design of hybrid solutions due to the problem of effectively dissipating heat.

However, separating the motor and drive at this point prevents the inherent design-related derating. This solution provides the basis for smaller motors in combination with better energy efficiency. In addition, integrated combinations are usually focused on a single motor type, limiting flexibility in the machine design. In contrast, any KOLLMORGEN brushless motor type can be connected to the decentralized AKD-N servo drive. These motors include conventional or direct drive rotary and linear direct drive types, providing true design freedom and optimum performance.

An integration example
In conclusion, to clarify these relationships an example of servo drive technology for a food processing machine will be shown. The process begins with the cutting of sausage and cheese by a so-called slicer. The product is conveyed onto a belt. The process is not just a simple matter of conveying a sausage stack from point A to B but to transport it as well defined shingles. The need for highly dynamic single axis positioning system is clear. The question now arises how to integrate the required sophisticated motion control functions while maintaining centralized machine control. The slicer provides a good example because it represents a specific decentralized axis because its high power requirement cannot be met with a decentralized drive. The primary objective from the manufacturing perspective is to harmonize highly diverse functional requirements for a wide combination of centralized and decentralized solutions. The KOLLMORGEN AKD-N drive deliberately focuses on the use of a centralized AKD platform. It provides appropriate technology to allow the optimum selection of a motion solution for the performance task required, offered through the wide variety of compatible actuators.

Visualisation made easy!

Fully integrated: scalable HMIs part of the Kollmorgen Automation Suite

Kollmorgen is extending its automation portfolio with new HMIs. The type AKI panels are available in three performance classes with 16:9 screens sized between 4’’ and 21’’. From a price and performance point of view, the essential differences between the AKI-A, AKI-B and AKI-C are definition, processing power and the variety of connection and communications possibilities.

HMIs are fully integrated without further interface
in the automation and motion control system. 

Since the Kollmorgen Visualization Builder 2.0 is also fully integrated into the Kollmorgen Automation Suite 2.7, machine and plant manufacturers can utilise all the advantages of a fully-harmonised automation and motion-control-system.

With their ARM9 processor, the type AKI-A HMIs are tailored to standard applications in which display screens with between four- and ten-inch diagonals and a limited connectivity are adequate. The functionally more advanced AKI-B panels cover screen sizes of 7, 12 and 15 inches. The powder-coated units with their Atom processors offer improved processing power in combination with expanded connections for serial communication and audio as well as USB and Ethernet. The AKI-C class covers flexible HMIs having screen sizes between 12 and 21 inches and a fully-fledged industrial PC with i7 four-core processors.

All of the AKI family members are seamlessly connected as an open platform into the Kollmorgen Automation Suite, which speeds up the development of automation and visualisation solutions without interposed interfaces. Front side the displays achieve IP65 standard and due to the smooth design of the units, they may be used in hygienically-demanding environments in the packaging, foodstuffs and drinks sectors.

On-site hygienic servo solution!

Kollmorgen develops servo solutions for greater design freedom!

Kollmorgen has developed a scalable solution for motor tasks in the packaging, food processing and pharmaceutical industries with AKMH stainless steel motors . The motors promote an open machine design thanks to their innovative construction. Therefore, because a covering is not required, cleaning is much faster. Also, no bacteria pockets can build up on the motor itself which then reduces the risk of product contamination and possible recalls.

Saves space and time: Decentralized AKD-N servo drives and AKMH
stainless steel servomotors with single connection technology.

The AKMH range is constructed within the IP69K protection class for standard cleaning and also cleaning performed with steam jets. The use of stainless steel 1,4404 makes the servomotor corrosion-resistant − even against aggressive cleaning agents.The compact unit in sizes two to six are therefore used specifically in machines with direct product contact and aseptic processes. The AKMH stainless steel motor effectively guides the heat loss away and thus lowers the derating. Consequently the range, which is FDA-certified and has been developed in accordance with EHEDG guidelines, delivers higher continuous torque with smaller volumes. The clean power packages are connected consistently via a single cable including feedback with the SFD3 digital resolver or DSL Hiperface. One instead of two: By halving the installation complexity, cleaning is much easier and the risk of leakages is reduced.

The role of corresponding servo drives for use in hygienically demanding food and packaging industries is diminishing, and Kollmorgen supports this trend with its decentralised servo amplifiers from the AKD-N range. When placed in the direct vicinity of motors, the robust IP67 device reduce the control cabinet volume and wiring effort by more than 80%, depending on the application. Another effect: Because less heat is lost in the control cabinet, less air conditioning is required. The improved thermal properties of solutions that are spaced apart side by side prevent further derating and consequently, in comparison with solutions which are directly combined with each other, deliver 100% power. Because the AKD-N can be combined with any servomotoror rotary or linear direct drives, in comparison with integrated solutions, the design possibilities are endless.

Feedback: everything you need in just eight wires!

Kollmorgen has been able to halve the number of connecting wires required for its digital resolvers from four to two with the newly-developed SDF3. The company uses the feedback system developed in-house as part of its single-cable technology between the servo drive and the servomotor that was launched on the market in 2003.

Kollmorgen Servomotor AKM1-AKD

Only two wires are needed to supply the digital resolver with power, to communicate, and to simultaneously transfer the motor ID and the temperature data. As a result, Kollmorgen can implement single-cable technology with an eight-pole standard motor cable - three phases, one PE, two for the brakes, and two for the feedback system. Due to the high interference resistance, data can be transferred safely within a cable without EMC problems.

Moreover, the further development of the robust and inexpensive feedback system - reduces the variety in connection technology. Note that resolvers are used in more than half of all servo applications. The background is both motors with digital resolver SFD3 (http://www.kollmorgen.com/en-gb/products/one-cable-packages/motion-packages/) and drives with Multiturn or Hiperface DSL encoder can be connected with one single cable type. This means that existing feedback systems in machines can be easily replaced later, without having to completely reinstall all of the cabling. In addition, there is no risk of confusion, because only one cable type is consistently used.

Hygienic motor-gear combination.

Kollmorgen has intruduced a new version of its AKM™ "Washdown Food Grade" servomotor. Combined with a high performance AKM™ gearmotor and efficiency-optimised angular gearbox, "Washdown Food Grade" servomotors deliver a standardised motor-gear solution in a single, compact package. This advanced level of integration allows for successful implementation in most transport and turning applications in the food and beverage industries as well in downstream packaging.

Powerful, ready to install, washable

Eye catching shape and colour. The
new AKM gear motors in the special
"Washdown + Food" design dispense
 with corners and edges.

These are the three main advantages of the ready-to-install motor-gear unit in the Hygienic Design. You can achieve significantly reduced cleaning times as a consequence of smoother and water-repellent surfaces, lower energy costs thanks to the highly efficient motor-drive combination, and simplified machine design possibilities due to space-saving assembly without additional stainless steel housing.

Shape and color are striking due mainly to the rounded design of the gear motor with its smooth, white surfaces. It prevents the build-up of bacteria and facilitates simple cleaning from the very beginning. The FDA-compliant material of the coating supports the drainage of liquids as a result of its hydrophobic properties such that no residues can form on the surface - which is helpfully supported by the fact that corners and edges are dispensed with. So that the gear motors can be installed quickly, Kollmorgen offers a two plug connection version with Resolver or Multiturn EnDat encoder, and the innovative single-cable connection technology.

The digital resolver SFD3 or a Multiturn Hiperface DSL encoder is used as a feedback system. Fewer cables mean reduced cost and effort involved in both installation and cleaning maintenance.