First drives then motors.

Originally planned as an addition to its gear unit portfolio, NORD now supplies motors in standard and special versions for more than 100 industries. Each year, more than 1 million stand-alone motors leave the NORD Drivesystems production halls worldwide. Originally planned as an addition to its gear unit portfolio, NORD now supplies electric motors in standard and special versions to users in more than 100 industries.

In 1983, NORD Drivesystems started the production of its own motors. Today, quantities top the million mark each year. In three factories, the solution provider for drive technology manufactures asynchronous motors from 0.12 kW to 55 kW, and synchronous motors from 0.5 kW to 11 kW. With standard motors and customer-specific configurations, NORD serves a wide range of industrial requirements. The focus is on two aspects: flexibility and availability.

From continuous operation to explosion protection.
NORD motors can be found in various applications. This includes energy-intensive motors for continuous operation in intralogistics or NXD tupH®-treated smooth motors in wash-down areas in the food industry. Explosion-protected versions according to ATEX, IECEx and HazLoc for conveyor systems in dust or gas atmospheres are also part of the range.

Popular efficiency portfolio.
The efficiency portfolio with motors of efficiency classes IE3 to IE5 is one of the most popular NORD developments. It meets all efficiency regulations of the international target markets. With its IE5+ permanent magnet synchronous motor, NORD even surpasses the efficiency specified by the highest defined IE class. For customers who aim to achieve a higher efficiency class in retrofitting, the manufacturer makes it easy: Identical motor dimensions allow users to perform such a change without fundamental mechanical modifications.

Quickly and internationally available.
With factories in Italy, Poland and China, NORD manufactures the standard and special versions at international hubs. Further motor assembly facilities are located in North and South America, India and Australia. This way, the company achieves short delivery times for national and international customer projects. NORD motors are thereby not only quickly available but immediately ready for use. The portfolio comprises motors with international approvals and acceptances. This allows for the worldwide integration of, for example, the asynchronous UNIVERSAL motor and the IE5+ synchronous motor without any significant changes in system and machinery design. This simplifies and speeds up system commissioning.

Quality.
NORD manufactures its motors with great production depth. By using modern production facilities and a quality management certified according to DIN ISO 9001, the company meets its self-imposed quality standards at all locations. They apply to the motors as well as any other drive component from NORD. Whether standard or special solution – they must have a long service life and work reliably.

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@NORD_Drive @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Manufacturing

Modular product for drive solutions.

Tailor-made drive solutions for a wide range of requirements.

NORD Drivesystems offers countless combinations of motors, gear units and drive electronics components with its range of modular products. The company develops drive solutions that perfectly address the needs of more than 100 industries.

Whether conveying goods, mixing dough or lifting heavy loads: every movement needs drive. However, different applications have different requirements. As a developer of drive solutions, NORD offers via its modular product range all components of drive technology that can be combined in various configurations. NORD implements the appropriate selection, design and calculation of the drives. Drive systems consisting of gear unit, motor and drive electronics thus become tailor-made solutions for specific industry applications. Hence, NORD is able to fulfil a wide range of specific requirements.

A modular system offering numerous solutions.
One example is the requirement for energy efficiency. NORD has electric motors that can be used worldwide and comply with all relevant international regulations. With its IE5+ synchronous motors, the developer surpasses the efficiencies of the currently highest defined energy efficiency class (IE5). They are also part of the integrated gear unit/motor concept DuoDrive that combines the IE5+ motor with a single-stage helical gear unit in one housing. DuoDrive achieves one of the highest efficiencies on the market within this power class. Users also benefit from NORD's expertise and additional services, such as the NORD ECO efficiency analysis that allows the implementation of upcoming drive tasks with optimal energy consumption.

Another current example is condition monitoring that NORD can integrate into its drive solutions. With an IIoT solution, it is possible to determine and analyse drive and status data via the integrated PLC of the frequency inverter. The data can also be made available to the central systems of the users. This provides important information for predictive maintenance, allowing machinery and equipment to be maintained proactively, while reducing downtimes and increasing overall system efficiency.

“Requirements are changing – and we are actively following this path” reports Jörg Niermann, Head of Marketing at NORD. “We are continuously developing our drive components to provide our customers with solutions that help them progress technically, economically and environmentally.” By combining a wide modular product range with technical expertise and knowledge in more than 100 industries, NORD creates drive systems that are tailored to specific needs and delivered as complete solutions from a single source.

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@NORD_Drive @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #Drives

High-voltage, wide-bandwidth differential probe.

New probe supports the development of next-generation power electronics for automobiles and other applications.

The Yokogawa PBDH0400 series differential probe with a maximum input voltage of 2000 V and a frequency bandwidth of 400 MHz has just neen released. PBDH0400 series differential probes are able to deliver the measurements required for developing the next generation of higher speed power devices that can contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

With growing emphasis on measures that will help to achieve decarbonization across all areas of society, there is a need to increase the energy efficiency of motors and inverters used in the transportation and renewable energy sectors.

This requirement is particularly acute in the power electronics industry, where the increase in applications for - and production of - next-generation power devices utilizing silicon-carbide (SiC) technology necessitates the ultra-precise measurement of high-voltage and higher speed signals.

This task requires performing measurements from an ungrounded (floating) potential, necessitating the use of differential probes rather than standard probes. Yokogawa Test & Measurement therefore set about developing wide-bandwidth differential probes capable of measuring high-voltage and high-speed signals. The new probes contribute to a more sustainable society through improved energy efficiency.

Main Features.
Initially, two models of the PBDH0400 series will be available: the 702922 model with a maximum input voltage of 2000 V, and the 702921 with a maximum input voltage of 1000 V.

1. High-voltage and wide-bandwidth measurement.
To perform the accurate waveform observation of faster-changing signals prevalent in electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy applications, PBDH0400 series differential probes measure voltages over 1000 V and offer a wide frequency range from DC to 400 MHz. This capability is particularly beneficial for developers of next-generation inverters, enabling the accurate observation of tiny changes in high-speed switching signals. In addition, excellent noise resistance allows the detection of events that can cause unexpected anomalies, including waveform overshoot and ringing.

2. Automatic power supply and attenuation setting.
The PBDH0400 series features the Yokogawa probe interface, saving both cost and installation space by eliminating the need for an external power supply when connected to a Yokogawa oscilloscope. Furthermore, the probe attenuation ratio is automatically set through the interface so that measurement can start immediately after connection to the instrument. Combining the PBDH0400 with Yokogawa’s 12-bit DLM5000HD or DLM3000HD oscilloscopes enables more accurate waveform measurements.

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@Yokogawa, @Yokogawa_EU, @Yokogawa_Europe @NapierPR #Automotive #TandM

Extended power range for frequency inverter.

Nord Drive Systems specifically developed its decentralised NORDAC ONSK 300P frequency inverters for the requirements of horizontal conveyor technology in intralogistics and warehousing. The inverters are characterised by an integrated Ethernet interface, IIoT capability, full pluggability and a compact design. Now, the power range of the NORDAC ON has been extended to 3 kW.

The NORDAC ON frequency inverters are part of the NORD modular system and can be optimally combined with the manufacturer’s motors.

• NORDAC ON was designed for applications with asynchronous motors, • NORDAC ON+ was designed for the combination with highly efficient IE5+ synchronous motors.

The drives can be used over a wide speed range and thus allow for variant reduction, for example in large intralogistics systems. The NORDAC ON is now designed for power ranges of up to 2.6 kW – the NORDAC ON+ for up to 3 kW. Both have integrated Industrial Ethernet interfaces. The communication protocols, for example Profinet, EtherNet/IP or EtherCAT, can be easily set via parameters. Firmware updates can also be implemented via Ethernet. This makes the NORDAC ON/ON+ frequency inverters optimally suited for integration into IIoT environments. The equipment also includes a diagnostic interface, M12 connections for sensors and actuators and, with the NORDAC ON+, an additional protocol-based encoder interface that is well protected against interference.

Economical plug-and-play solution.
The space-saving decentralised inverters can be perfectly integrated into conveyor systems, significantly reducing wiring efforts compared to centralised frequency inverters. Its pluggable connections make the NORDAC ON/ON+ an economic plug-and-play solution for intralogistics applications. The inverters are suitable for direct motor mounting or for wall mounting.

As with all NORD frequency inverters, the NORDAC ON/ON+ is equipped with a powerful PLC for functions close to the drive. It can process data from connected sensors and actuators, initiate control sequences and communicate drive and application data to the control centre, networked components or to cloud storage.

Optional extensions.
The following extensions are available for NORDAC ON inverters: Functional safety functions such as STO, internal braking resistors for dynamic start/stop processes, and an integrated brake control, which controls the motor holding brake without wear and ensures reliable holding of the stop position at standstills, for example in inclined conveyors.

Its temperature tolerances from -30 to +40C, make the NORDAC ON series also suited for deep-freeze applications.

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@NORD_Drive @mepaxIntPR #PAuto #IIoT #Warehousing

Low capacity torque sensor.

The low capacity models of Sensor Technology’s non-contact torque sensors offer accurate measurement down to 200mNm (0.2Nm), for applications such as precision and high speed robots, medical devices, protheses and implants, small drives and micro motors.

The new TorqSense SGR 510/520 torque sensors cover capacities from 0.2Nm to 1Nm, making the full range 0.2Nm to 13,000Nm. The bigger units in the SGR family are designed for use in machine tools, production and processing plant, heavy duty pumps and similar large scale installations.

Based on a full four-element strain gauge bridge design, the SGR sensors have the ability to accurately measure and record sudden spikes in torque load. This ability is becoming increasingly important in automated machinery, integrated systems, test rigs and continuously monitored plant.

“Torque spikes can have an immediate effect on operations, or may indicate the beginnings of a problem,” explains Mark Ingham, Sensor Technology’s Sales Director. “The SGRs are designed to accurately record all torque data from any type of system, big or small, simple or complex, yet be robust enough for use in virtually any environment.”

The TorqSense SGR measures the torque 4000 time per second and uses high performance signal conditioning to provide a corruption-free, high bandwidth torque monitoring solution. This is further enhanced by 250% overrange and 400% overload capabilities, elimination of side and end load errors and real time temperature compensation. The non-contact signal transmission means the sensor exerts no load on the shaft it is monitoring, while maintenance-heavy slip rings have been designed out.

Three analog output channels on the 511 mean the SGR can measure real-time speed and power alongside the torque monitoring. A third output is dedicated to self-diagnostics and/or status functions. An Ethernet gateway module can also be fitted to the unit.

As well as analog outputs, TorqSense SGR 520/521 is also fitted with digital outputs for interfacing with state of the art instrumentation and laptops. Options include RS232, CANbus and USB. A digital input is provided so that the 520/521 can be set up directly from a PC running specialist configuration software such as Sensor Technology’s TorqView or LabView.

“Using the USB output, it is possible to connect upto 10 SGR 520/521s into one fully integrated system,” comments Mark, “allowing even the most complex installations to be comprehensively monitored from a single workstation. Torque measurement is playing an increasingly important role in modern plant and machinery monitoring and control, enabling steady increases in efficiency, productivity, availability and accuracy - all key drivers in the advance towards tomorrow’s technology.”

@sensortech #Pauto

Motor or pump vibration trips.

Excessive vibration in a motor/pump is symptomatic of a problem that can cause further damage or deterioration. If ignored, the results are higher maintenance and downtime. In some situations, it could also lead to safety concerns.

Vibration sensors or accelerometers can be installed to detect abnormal vibration levels. Alarm trips can monitor the vibration sensors and provide a local trip source for the motor. These pumps can be installed in many different environments so Class I, Div 2/Zone 2 certification and wide ambient temperature specs for these alarm trips are key characteristics.

If necessary, the vibration levels can also be retransmitted back to the control system using the Analog Output signals from the alarm trips.

The Moore STA Functional Safety Limit Alarm Trip logic solver is shown in the diagram which is IEC61508 certified. If the loop isn’t part of a safety instrumented system (SIS) where a standard alarm trip will do, then their SPA2 Programmable Limit Alarm Trip would be a great alarm trip choice.

@MII_Worldwide #Automation #Pumps

Motors, Drives and Paris.

“Achieving the Paris Agreement: The Vital Role of High-Efficiency Motors and Drives in Reducing Energy Consumption”

This new whitepaper just published by ABB, reveals potential for significant energy efficiency improvements in industry and infrastructure enabled by the latest and most high-efficiency motors and variable speed drives. ABB calls on governments and industry to accelerate adoption of the technology to help combat climate change.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), industry accounts for 37% of global energy use and some 30% of global energy is consumed in buildings.

While mostly hidden from public view, electric motors - and the variable speed drives which optimize their operation – are embedded in almost every built environment. They power a vast range of applications fundamental to our modern way of life, from industrial pumps, fans and conveyors for manufacturing and propulsion systems for transportation to compressors for electrical appliances and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in buildings.

Motor and drive technologies have seen exceptionally rapid advancement in the past decade, with today’s innovative designs delivering remarkable energy efficiencies. However, a significant number of industrial electric motor-driven systems in operation today – in the region of 300 million globally – are inefficient or consume much more power than required, resulting in monumental energy wastage.

Independent research estimates that if these systems were replaced with optimized, high-efficiency equipment, the gains to be realized could reduce global electricity consumption by up to 10%. In turn, this would account for a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions needed to meet the 2040 climate goals established by the Paris Agreement.

Morten Wierod

“Industrial energy efficiency, more than any other challenge, has the single greatest capacity for combatting the climate emergency. It is essentially the world’s invisible climate solution.”, said Morten Wierod, President ABB Motion. “For ABB, sustainability is a key part of our company Purpose and of the value that we create for all of our stakeholders. By far the biggest impact we can have in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is through our leading technologies, which reduce energy use in industry, buildings and transport.”

Considerable steps have already been taken to support the uptake of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. ABB believes it is time to do the same for an industrial technology that will deliver even greater benefits for the environment and the global economy.

“The importance of transitioning industries and infrastructure to these highly energy efficient drives and motors to play their part in a more sustainable society cannot be overstated,” continued Morten Wierod. “With 45% of the world’s electricity used to power electric motors in buildings and industrial applications, investment in upgrading them will yield outsized rewards in terms of efficiency.”

ABB frequently assesses the net impact of its own installed high efficiency motors and drives on global energy efficiency. In 2020, it enabled 198 terawatt-hours of electricity savings – more than half of the Britain’s annual consumption. By 2023, it is estimated that ABB motors and drives will enable customers globally to save an additional 78 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, almost as much as the annual consumption of Belgium, Finland or the Philippines and more than the total annual consumption of Chile.

Regulatory policies are among the main drivers of industrial investment in energy efficiency around the globe. While the European Union will be implementing its Ecodesign Regulation (EU 2019/1781) this year, which sets out stringent new requirements for an expanding range of energy efficient motors, many countries have yet to take action.

To take advantage of the tremendous opportunities afforded by energy efficient drives and motors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ABB says all stakeholders have a critical role to play:

• Public decision makers and government regulators need to incentivize their rapid adoption,
• Businesses, cities, and countries need to be aware of both the cost savings and environmental advantages and be willing to make the investment, and
•Investors need to reallocate capital towards companies better prepared to address the climate risk.

“While our role at ABB is to always provide the most efficient technologies, products and services to our customers, and continue to innovate for ever greater efficiency, that in itself is not enough. All stakeholders need to work together to bring about a holistic transformation in how we use energy. By acting and innovating together, we can keep critical services up and running while saving energy and combatting climate change”, concludes Morten Wierod.

@ABBMotion @admiralpr #Environment #Pauto 

Revolution torques!

Oxford YASA Motors, a company created to commercialise the revolutionary YASA motor developed by Oxford University’s Energy and Power Group, is finding that a TorqSense non-contact speed and torque sensor from Sensor Technology is an invaluable aid in the refinement of its world-leading motor designs. Used in a test rig to evaluate prototype motors, the sensor provides accurate and dependable real time information in a readily accessible format.

Oxford YASA Motors is engaged in the development and manufacture of a new type of axial flux motor that features Yokeless And Segmented Armature (YASA) topology. Compared with conventional axial flux motors, the new YASA types offer a step-change improvement in torque density, making them ideal for applications such as electric vehicles where the highest possible torque-to-weight ratio is a key requirement.

The YASA topology is based around a series of magnetically separated segments that form the stator of the machine. The step-change improvement in the specific torque of the motor, which at around 20 Nm/kg is at least twice that of the best currently available alternatives, results from a combination of patented improvements in the magnetics, cooling and packaging of the motor.

A 500 Nm YASA motor has already been developed specifically for use in electric and hybrid vehicles. This motor is compact – just 340 mm in diameter and 70 mm wide – and is, therefore, able to fit easily within the space that would normally be occupied by the front or rear differential in typical vehicle. With the YASA motors, no differential is needed.

Since these motors have an output of 500 Nm per “slice”, and a peak power of around 75 kW, two of them provide sufficient power for most vehicles. This has been verified in practice by the Westfield iRacer, a pioneering electric racing car fitted with two YASA motors, which accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in less than five seconds, and is capable of reaching an electronically limited top speed of 110 mph.

Despite the impressive performance and versatility of its existing products, Oxford YASA Motors is committed to continually refining and improving its designs. In addition, the company offers a custom design and manufacturing service for motors to suit applications that are not yet covered by its standard product range. All of this means that it has a regular requirement to analyse the performance of prototype motors.

An essential element of this work is accurate measurement of torque and speed of the motors during an extensive programme of testing. The tests often involve linking a pair of motors back-to-back, with one driving and the other acting as a brake. While conventional torque sensors based on strain gauges could have been used in this application, this would have unnecessarily complicated the design of the test rig and, in addition, such sensors have a poor reputation for accuracy and reliability.

Accordingly, the development team at Oxford YASA Motors looked for a better alternative, which it found in the form of TorqSense non-contact wireless torque sensors from Sensor Technology. Based on surface acoustic wave (SAW) technology, these novel sensors essentially comprise two thin metal electrodes, which take the form of interlocking fingers on a piezoelectric substrate. When a radio frequency signal of the correct frequency is applied to this assembly, surface acoustic waves are set up and it acts as a resonant circuit.

If the substrate is deformed, however, the resonant frequency of the assembly changes. This means that if the assembly is attached to, for example, a motor shaft it can be used to measure the deformation in that shaft as the torque transmitted by the shaft changes. In other words, the assembly becomes a frequency-dependent strain gauge that measures torque.

As the assembly operates at radio frequency it requires no wired connections – signals to and from it can easily be coupled wirelessly. As a result, Sensor Technology’s innovative and patented TorqSense sensors can be used on rotating shafts without the need for the inconvenient brushes and slip rings that are often required in traditional torque measurement systems.

For the Oxford YASA Motors application, a type RWT321 sensor with integral electronics was chosen. Like all TorqSense sensors, this combines high accuracy and resolution with a large overload capacity and the ability to operate equally well with clockwise and anti-clockwise rotation. In addition to torque data, the sensor also provides information about shaft speed, power and temperature, with all of the data made available in real time.

A further benefit for Oxford YASA Motors is that the RWT321 incorporates a CANopen interface. This is directly compatible with the company’s data acquisition and analysis systems and, therefore, made interfacing the sensor very straightforward.

The TorqSense sensor proved easy to install and set up, and can be seen in operation in a video in the technology section of the Oxford YASA Motors website. It is in regular use as an aid to evaluating motor performance, and is providing the company with the dependable and accurate information needed to ensure the continuing success of its development programme in this exciting new field.

#Pauto @sensortech @YASAMotors

Motors and drives.

The International Society of Automation (ISA) has published a second edition of Motors & Drives: A Practical Technology Guide.

A practical guide developed by 30+ year industry veteran Dave Polka. This is an invaluable resource for design engineers, automation and control specialists, maintenance technicians, and students.A thorough discussion of drive systems and components, common motion control applications, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

This new release has been updated to reflect innovative new motor and drive technologies that are safer, smarter, and easier to program and implement; provide superior diagnostic capabilities; and deliver seamless integration.

Dave Polka

"The second edition will continue to serve as a straight-forward guide for those seeking to understand the key engineering principles of motors and drives," says the author Dave Polka, who is a widely recognized expert in developing training and technical support materials for major drive manufacturers. "However, while basic theory of AC and DC drives haven't changed, technology certainly has. The book takes a fresh look at how market demands have advanced motor and drive technology and are pushing the industry in new directions."

As a result, Polka says he has incorporated a substantial amount of new and updated content to highlight recent technological developments, explain complex technical concepts and define buzz words-such as "harmonics" and "power quality"-in practical, easy-to-understand terms.

While demystifying drive and motor technology used in today's modern manufacturing processes, the book is rooted in the practical side of drive and motor use, with the "design engineering" side of technology presented in commonly used terms. Included are clearly stated summaries, and highly relevant review questions, glossaries, and reference tables for formulas and conversions.

The book is suited to a broad range of professionals, particularly engineers who are unfamiliar with motor and drive technology and technicians who are technically literate but not accustomed to complex theory and mathematics. In addition, design engineers, automation and control specialists, maintenance technicians, and students will find it useful for tutorials and as a desk reference.

#PAuto @ISA_Interchange

Motor purge system.

Pepperl+Fuchs has introduced the Bebco EPS® purge and pressurisation system designed specifically for use with large motors or large enclosures in Zone 1 hazardous areas. The 6100 series purge and pressurisation system can purge an enclosure over 450 cubic feet (12.2 cubic meters), making it the largest purging system available from Pepperl+Fuchs. The 6100 series system is perfect for applications in the chemical/petrochemical and oil and gas industries.

The 6100 series is a fully automatic system that does not require an operator to initiate purging or pressurization. It offers optional temperature sensors that can be mounted around the motor for alarm notification or cooling. Additionally, there is automatic pressure compensation for excess leakage from the motor.

The 6100 system consists of a control unit, vent, low pressure sensor, and optional temperature sensors. The control unit allows users to configure the system for size of motor, temperature switch points, pressure switch points for leakage compensation and shutoff pressure, extra output for control or alarm, two selectable intrinsically safe inputs for various actions, and up to three temperature sensor inputs that can monitor various points within the motor housing. The intrinsically safe user-interface can also be mounted in a separate enclosure near an operator for quick access and easy system monitoring.

6100 series motor purge and pressurization system features:
• Certified for ATEX and IECEx Zone 1
• Fully automatic
• Maximum flow rate of 14,000 l/min
• Intrinsically safe user-interface for system programming and monitoring
• Control unit monitors system operation and controls enclosure power
• Auxiliary contact outputs for alarm or control
• Multiple temperature inputs for monitoring and control
• Automatic pressure compensation for excess leakage from motor

The intrinsically safe pressure sensor provides an accurate enclosure pressure reading for safe operation within the hazardous area. The pressure sensor—which can measure internal pressure from 0 to 25 mbar—can be remotely located at the motor’s low pressure section for correct, safe motor pressure readings.

The EPV-6100 vent can be ordered to detect various flows for purging and then feedback the signal to the 6100 series control unit to start the purge timer. There are five flow rates to choose from (14,000 l/min maximum) to meet any application requirement in large motors or enclosures.

#PAuto @PepperlFuchs @mepaxIntPR

Troubleshooting for motors and drives.

As an integral part in its aim to educate and support technicians in best practice for maintenance and troubleshooting across a wide range of industrial processes, Fluke has developed a wealth of background information relating to preventive maintenance and troubleshooting motors and drives.

The user is immediately offered the opportunity to contact and speak to a Fluke motor drive specialist for advice on optimum approaches and the ideal tools.

Ten illustrated pages, Introduction to motors and drives, provide information about the basics of motors and drives and the sort of Fluke tools that are ideal for taking measurements, such as thermal imagers, motor drive and power quality analysers, and vibration testers and shaft alignment tools.
Four detailed Customer stories describe in detail the problems faced by industrial users and how they solved them using Fluke products including motor drive and power quality analysers.

Seven detailed Checklists and guides provide information on best practice approach to preventive maintenance to keep a plant up and running and to minimise downtime.

The Troubleshooting motors and drives page also includes two short videos, one a case study showing the application of a Fluke 438-II Power Quality and Motor Analyser to regularly monitor motors and thus minimise downtime, and the other showing how intuitive Fluke MDA-510 and MDA-550 Motor Drive Analysers are to use, even if on an irregular basis.

#PAuto @FlukeCorp #TandM

Acquires to expand condition-based monitoring range.

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) has acquired Test Motors, a company specialising in predictive maintenance of electric motors and generators. Based in Barcelona, Test Motors offers products and services that detect faults in electric motors before they cause damage to production cycles and advises on how and when to repair them. The acquisition expands ADI’s portfolio of condition-based monitoring solutions capable of identifying equipment faults before downtime and catastrophic failure occur.

“Machine maintenance relies heavily on experienced technicians and engineers able to detect and diagnose issues that can lead to unplanned downtime,” said Kevin Carlin, Vice President Automation and Energy Group, Analog Devices. “There are not enough trained professionals, however, to keep up with the demand as the number of machines to maintain rapidly grows. ADI’s condition-based monitoring applications, driven by the acquisitions of Test Motors and OtoSense, will tackle this expert resource challenge by providing customers with a system able to perform complete and early detection of anomalies to avoid unexpected and costly machine downtime.”

This acquisition builds on Analog Devices’ 2018 addition of OtoSense, a startup that developed “sensing interpretation” software able to learn and recognize sounds or vibration and identify potential problems in a factory machine or a car’s engine before they become severe. OtoSense’s artificial intelligence (AI) platform is dedicated to sensing interpretation and enabling the monitoring of any asset, wherever located. Analog Devices plans to combine software from OtoSense with Test Motors’ monitoring capabilities to create solutions that offer an advanced, holistic snapshot of machine health by capturing a wider breadth of potential faults.

The Test Motors team will join ADI’s Automation and Energy Group and operate as a key technology group. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“We are excited to become part of Analog Devices and work with its team of industrial technology experts,” said Emili Valero, Test Motors’ former CEO. “The combining of our technology and expertise will enable us to develop the next generation of condition-based monitoring solutions designed to greatly extend manufacturing equipment life for electrical and non-electrical rotating machines and deliver significant cost savings that benefit both businesses and consumers.”

#PAuto #TandM @ADI_News @otosense

Motor performance measured!

Long service motors tested after re-engineering.

Specialist industrial motor manufacturer Solutions Engineering in Stoke on Trent (GB) is able to test the performance of its motors, having built a test station to its own specification based around a piezo electric torque transducer. It manufactures a range of bespoke slip ring motors for driving equipment such as vibrators and pumps, currently in sizes 4kW to 55kW but with plans for larger units in the future.

“Our motors are very robust and are often returned to us after 20 or 30 years arduous service for reengineering,” says MD David Wood. “Because most of our motors are one-offs we couldn’t find an off-the-shelf test rig that met our wide ranging needs so we set about building our own. The mechanical side of the design had to allow for a considerable variation in motor sizes but by using a TorqSense transducer we were able to keep the electrical engineering commendably simple.”

The test load is created using an eddy current brake, which was made by replacing the armature of a DC motor with a solid block, with a large integral cooling fan for thermal management during heavy duty testing. In fact there are two brakes, large and small, which can be easily interchanged to match the motor being tested.

“During tests we vary the load by injecting a field into the brake using a variable output DC drive,” says Wood.

The brake aligns with Sensor Technology's TorqSense, which is mounted on two fixed pedestal bearings, and is connected to its output shaft. The test motor is mounted on a variable height bed and connected via a cardan shaft to the input shaft of the transducer.

TorqSense monitors the torque in a rotating shaft without actually contacting it, thus doing away with slip rings and other delicate components. Instead it uses a radio frequency transmission head to monitor ‘surface affect waves’ which are created by all rotating bodies.

Output signals from TorqSense are fed into a PC for analysis: Engineering Solutions chose - as do most users - to use TorqView, a dedicated software programme which generates a real time visual instrumentation display as well logging the data for later analysis.

TorqView was introduced by Sensor Technology to make the technology as user friendly as possible. It provides fully configurable and scalable graphics modules, so that the information can be presented in a number of different formats including as discrete digital readouts, as analogue dials, as bar graphs, etc. User configurable inputs, such as 4-20mA signals from accelerometers allow complete customisation of TorqView for every application.

Data such as peak values, time-sequenced and time-stamped values, etc, can also be collected and stored in text files or spreadsheets and exported to other programmes for subsequent analysis. Text comments can be incorporated into the data, either using an auto-trigger function or discretely as the user requires.

“TorqSense transducers are the easiest and most reliable way I have found to collect real-time performance data from machine drive shafts,” says Wood. “TorqView’s user friendliness continues this ideal of simplicity. All our engineers and technicians use the test rig with a fluency that is only possible because of the simplicity inherent in every aspect of its design.”

@sensortech  #PAuto 

Analyser suitable for inverter driven motors.

The new version Fluke® 438-II Power Quality and Motor Analyser also supports measurements for inverter driven motors. It simplifies the process of motor performance diagnosis by providing analysis data for both the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the motor while it is in operation. It uses innovative algorithms to analyse not only three-phase power quality but also mechanical power, torque, efficiency and speed, to determine system performance and detect overloaded conditions, eliminating the need for potentially costly or inaccessible motor load sensors.

Using proprietary algorithms, the Fluke 438-II measures the three-phase current and voltage waveforms and compares them against rated specifications to calculate motor mechanical performance. The analysis is presented in simple readouts, making it easy to gauge the operating performance and determine if adjustments are needed before failures cause an operational shut down.

The analyser also provides measurements to determine a motor’s efficiency (i.e. the conversion of electrical energy to mechanical torque) and mechanical power under operating load conditions. These measures allow maintenance engineers to determine the motor’s in-service operating power compared to its rated power to determine if the motor is operating in overloaded condition or, conversely, if it is oversized for the application when energy may be wasted and operating cost increased.

The instrument is part of the Fluke 430 Series II of three-phase power quality and energy analysers that provide frontline troubleshooting and long-term trending to keep equipment running smoothly.

@FlukeCorp  #TandM 

Safely cutting costs.

Baumüller is now offering a new safety solution for the stackable converter generation b maXX 5000. Here the electric motors are no longer shut off in a decentralized process in the individual motor converters but centrally, with one of the STO modules (Safe Torque Off) integrated into the feeder unit.

As a standard, the safety function for drive systems is integrated decentralized in the individual motor current converters. When the electric motors are equipped with just a centrally switched STO control unit, the installation and wiring expenditures of the drive system are reduced, resulting in lower manufacturing costs.

The new safety concept fulfills the safety requirements SIL 2 according to IEC61508 or PLd, Category 3 according to DIN EN ISO 13849-1 and can be used for all applications where the feeder units and axis units have the same STO requirements.

#Baumüller #PAuto

Chief visits new acquisitions.

The founder and CEO of Nidec has visited Control Techniques and Leroy-Somer to outline his vision for the future of the businesses.

Nagamori san, Nidec with
Carwyn Jones, Prif Weinidog Cymru.

Shigenobu Nagamori, who launched Nidec in Kyoto, Japan in 1973, presented to Control Techniques and Leroy-Somer staff at their respective headquarters in Newtown (GB), and Angouleme (F) on February 2 and 3. The events were simultaneously broadcast to Control Techniques and Leroy-Somer staff across the world. (see our report Acquisition Completed 3/2/12017)

Mr Nagamori spoke about the opportunities presented to both businesses, and was positive about the impact Nidec could have in the future. Questions were invited from existing staff members regarding investment, job security and proposals for future growth. The First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones AM, attended the event and met with Mr Nagamori to discuss the future of Control Techniques in Wales.

Mr Nagamori said: “We are pleased to welcome Control Techniques and Leroy-Somer into the Nidec family. We have strong ambitions for both companies to grow, and Nidec is committed to providing the necessary support and investment to make that happen.

“Industries which require the use of electric motors, and therefore drives, will form the backbone of the world’s economy in the future. Look at the expansion in the use of robots, electric vehicles and drones. All these items need motors, and all those motors need drives. There are clear opportunities for Control Techniques, Leroy-Somer and ultimately Nidec to prosper here.

“Our policy is to put the systems in place which will encourage growth. We will hire and train high calibre people, and encourage those already working for the businesses to enhance their abilities.

“We will put great emphasis on research and development. As an R&D engineer myself, I know that it is technology which will ensure our businesses succeed.

“Control Techniques, Leroy-Somer and Nidec offer each other great synergy, and working together we can improve and make our goals a reality.”

Nidec boasts a strong track record of facilitating growth among its business, through investment in engineering, design and resources. It has also demonstrated a clear strategy to drive growth in both companies, as well as providing considerable benefits to customers through a far wider range of available products and services.

Both Control Techniques’ and Leroy-Somer’s product ranges offer a complementary fit with the Nidec line-up, bringing significant benefits for all parties and, importantly, their respective customer bases. The combination will now allow Nidec to sell the entire range of products as a package into all key market spaces, while also allowing Control Techniques and Leroy-Somer access to new markets.

Nidec manufactures electric motors and related components, including small precision motors, motors for automotive, commercial and industrial applications, and medium voltage motors and generators. It employs around 140,000 people worldwide and has operations in over 40 countries. It has been actively developing a new growth platform with particular focus on appliance, industrial and commercial business.

Xavier Trenchant, President of Leroy-Somer said: “We are proud to integrate a business striving to become the world's No.1 comprehensive motor manufacturer and to join forces to meet the needs and expectations of our worldwide customers. With such a dynamic and trustworthy company, we look towards the future with confidence”

Scott Anderson, president of Control Techniques, said; “We believe this is a tremendous opportunity for us to join, work with and contribute to an industry-leading brand which believes in our products and will enable us to grow as businesses.”

#Nidec #PAuto @Leroy_Somer @ConTechniques

Electrical and mechanical performance of electric motors.

Measuring mechanical loads typically requires load sensors that can be costly or physically inaccessible. The new Fluke® 438-II Power Quality and Motor Analyser uses innovative algorithms to analyse not only three-phase power quality but also torque, efficiency and speed, to determine system performance and detect overloaded conditions, eliminating the need for motor load sensors.

The Fluke 438-II simplifies the process of motor performance diagnosis by providing analysis data for both the electrical and mechanical characteristics of the motor while it is in operation. Using proprietary algorithms, the 438-II measures the three-phase current and voltage waveforms and compares them against rated specifications to calculate motor mechanical performance. The analysis is presented in simple readouts, making it easy to gauge the operating performance and determine if adjustments are needed before failures cause an operational shut down.

The new analyser also provides measurements to determine a motor’s efficiency (i.e. the conversion of electrical energy to mechanical torque) and mechanical power under operating load conditions. These measures allow maintenance engineers to determine the motor’s in-service operating power compared to its rated power to determine if the motor is operating in overloaded condition or, conversely, if it is oversized for the application when energy may be wasted and operating cost increased.

The 438-II is part of the Fluke 430 Series of three-phase power quality analysers that provide frontline troubleshooting and long-term trending to keep equipment running smoothly.

@FlukeCorp #TandM #PAuto 

Ultra high torque brushless slotless motor.

The newest addition to Portescap's Ultra EC™ mini motor platform, the 22ECT brushless motor, is designed specifically to deliver ultra high torque in a compact size.

With the unique coil technology and a patent pending multipolar rotor design, the 22ECT has been developed to be one of the most advanced and highest performing brushless slotless motors in its class. The 22ECT is specifically optimized for high continuous torque at low to medium speeds, maximizing power between 10 K and 20 K rpm. These motors are capable of delivering 2 times higher continuous torque than comparable BLDC motors of same size over the entire low speed range when used with gears.

The 22ECT is constructed with an enhanced high efficiency magnetic circuit that significantly reduces both iron and joule losses, the primary causes for motor stator heating. The result is the new 22ECT stays cooler and offers greater power density than equivalent models within its target operating zone. With maximum continuous torque up to 98.5 mNm and higher stall torque, 22ECT motors are ideally suited for use in applications such as Industrial automation, power tools & robotics.

Portescap succeeds in providing a high quality, long lasting & high performance brushless motor by optimizing the electro-mechanical motor design and material selection for 22ECT. Due to the multipolar design, these motors possess the torque capabilities of much bigger motors. The advantages of the 22ECT make it a good choice for geared applications because of its minimal speed drop and low motor heating under load. Their low inertia design makes them an exceptional option for applications requiring fast stopping, starting and acceleration.

The 22ECT is available in 60 and 82 mm length versions, with hall sensors and 3 different coils to match your speed and voltage requirements. Upon request, Portescap can provide options for customization including gearboxes, encoders, coil variations and mechanical interface modifications.

High-power Line passive harmonic filters enclosed!

By introducing IP23 and IP54 cabinet versions of the high-power passive harmonic filters, Schaffner enables an easier installation, wiring and commissioning of the high-end filters in portfolio for AC or DC motor drive applications.

The new filter series with designations FN 341X-XXX-99-E2 (IP23) and FN 341X-XXX-99-E5 (IP54) are ready to use filters wired and installed in a cabinet enclosure which best fits the application and environment.

Both new series are intended for harmonic mitigation of three-phase installations featuring diode or thyristor bridge interfaces, with target THDi of < 5% in presence of a DC-link inductor. Furthermore, the filters reduce both rectifier peak current and RMS input current and the grid current is back to its sinusoidal shape. Lower electrical losses and improved power factor allow for a more efficient utilization of electrical system capacity.

The cabinet filters enable a quick installation without the need of thorough system analysis and the involvement of specialists. The high performance is guaranteed not only at full load, but a power factor close to unity is possible even under demanding partial load operation. Without DC-link choke installed, a THDi of < 15% can be achieved at de-rated power.

The FN 341X-XXX-99-E2 and FN 341X-XXX-99-E5 ECOsine® filters are available with standard ratings from 200 to 400kW for 380-500VAC, 50Hz grids and from 300 to 500HP for 380-480VAC, 60Hz grids. All filters are UL-listed, CE-marked and RoHS compliant. They are particularly suitable for AC and DC motor drives, battery chargers and other power electronics applications with 6-pulse input rectifiers.

Tough and dynamic synchronous motors.

A new series of robust and efficient synchronous motors, the SM40 series, has been introduced by WEG. It is specifically for the power range from 5 to 35 MW. The motors provide exceptional reliability in demanding applications with extended maintenance intervals, enabling users to reduce servicing costs and increase process uptime. With shaft and rotor made from a single piece of forged steel and high starting torque, the new SM40 is ideal for high-inertia applications including centrifugal compressors in air separation plants or the oil and gas industry, large fans in the steel industry or power plants, and high-power pumps and pulp mills.

The SM40 motor has a robust rotor construction with high mechanical strength and stability, and has been designed to eliminate the risk of detachment of individual pole shoes or pole mounting screws. The stator consists of high-quality, low-loss silicon steel laminations and top-grade bobbin windings insulated using a special vacuum/pressure impregnation (VPI) process while an optimised thermal design ensures uniform temperature distribution along the stator, prolonging the service life of the winding insulation.

“WEG is committed to helping business worldwide save energy and maintenance costs thus reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO),” says Marek Lukaszczyk, European & Middle East Marketing Manager at WEG. “Our new SM40 motors are exceptionally sturdy and highly efficient and are designed to help increase productivity which bringing maintenance and energy costs down.”

The motors have a high starting torque and low starting current enabling users to achieve significant energy savings, which is particularly important in energy-intensive applications.  The low starting current also minimises the impact of the motor on the power supply network and means starting aids such as starting chokes, autotransformers or variable speed drives become unnecessary, thus bringing costs down further.

SM40 motors can also help plants reduce power costs and improve the efficiency of the power network to which they are connected because the deliver high efficiency over a wide power range and enable users to correct the power factor. As a result, they deliver a short investment payback time and the SM40 series is ideal for industries where 24/7 operation is the norm.

Equipped with the Sync-Rite synchronisation module, the motors can be optionally configured to allow parameters such as excitation current, voltage and synchronisation status to be read and indicated over a BlueTooth link to improve ease of use even further.

The SM40 motor’s housing is made from welded steel plates and profile sections to ensure high bending strength and robustness. This design enables the motors to withstand substantial mechanical loads and keep vibration levels low, even under high stress. Various housing and cooling options are available for matching the motors to application specifications.

Available in the power range from 5 to 35 MW and in frame sizes from IEC 800 to IEC 1250, the new SM40 high-performance four-pole motors are designed as horizontal synchronous motors with solid salient pole rotors for voltages up to 13.8 kV at 50 or 60 Hz. The motors can be used in explosion hazards areas with certification conforming to IEC (ATEX, IEC Ex, INMETRO, TR CU or others on request) and NEC/CEC (CSA) for protection classes Ex nA or Ex pz/Ex px, as well as Class I Division 2.