Drives improve on all the fun of the fair

AC Tech drives are being used to recreate classic fairground carousel rides, but without the bumps and jerks.

AC Technology SCF Series drives have been supplied for three sizes of galloping horses rides from traditional manufacturer JH Rundle.

The drives, ranging from 0.75 to 7.5kW are used to turn the body of the carousel and lift the horses.

Supplied by Exico, who also provided motors and gearboxes for the project, the drives have provided a practical, cost effective solution.

AC Tech SCF Series drives are designed to break through the cost and complexity barrier experienced with many current drive products.

They are ideal for replacing mechanical speed control devices or used where motors have previously been switched direct online.

In this application the drives are being used to replace a crude clutch system used on the original rides.

The speed control and smooth starts achieved by the drive have allowed the traditionally styled carousels to move faster and operate more safely.

Along with an up-to-date power transmission system, the carousels are manufactured using the latest materials and methods.

A mainly galvanised steel fabrication with aluminium platforms covered with a resin-coated ply.

Decorations are reinforced plastic with lacquered twisted brass tubes on horse and platform rods.

Ken Rundle, the current chief engineer commented, "We have created these rides in the classic style, but using much more robust materials and design.

The transmission solution provided by Exico has worked beautifully, the AC Technology drives are very simple to operate and have provided us with just the right combination of power and versatility.

They also allow the smaller rides to be plugged directly into a 240V supply".

Jerry Hodek, Exico's General Manager comments, "AC Technology's range of small inverters provides the ideal platform for us to deliver a cost effective power transmission solution with an appropriate level of control".

An added advantage of the SCF Series for OEM manufacturers is the EPM programming chip.

It is simply a removable chip, set in a protective plastic cover.

The user only has to create the operating program for each machine once and then simply copy it direct to the EPM using a hand held EPM programming module.

Copying takes a second or two and the chip can then be plugged directly into the front of the drive.

The drive does not even have to be powered up; it will work the moment the machine is switched on for the first time.

The amount of time this can save in production terms is significant particularly since it relates to the premium time of a skilled programmer.

The SCF range extends to 18.5kW and is suitable for supplies of 208/240V (single- and three-phase), 400/480V three-phase and 480/590V three-phase.

This makes the range possibly the widest of the submicro drives available on the market today.

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