Simple drive provides easy machine upgrade

Fletcher Moorland has upgraded a custom plate-brushing machine for world famous pottery manufacturer Wedgwood using the simple, compact smd drive.

Electromechanical and electronic repair and maintenance specialist Fletcher Moorland has upgraded a custom plate-brushing machine for world famous pottery manufacturer Wedgwood using the simple, compact smd drive to provide accurate speed control without having to re-engineer the machine.

Quality and consistency are absolutely top priorities at Wedgwood, as its products are high value premium quality items and a significant amount of the production techniques still require individual skills.

The brushing process is one where a little automation can help, but closer control was needed to achieve the best results on different sized items: hence the speed control requirement.

The smd was chosen from the Lenze range by Matt Fletcher: "We were asked to design and install a method of increasing and decreasing the speed on this machine without having to replace familiar controls or go to the expense of replacing gearing or the motor".

"The 0.75kW smd drive has provided essential speed regulation required to improve the performance of the bespoke plate spinning 'brushing' machine".

"The smd's small size allowed it to be fitted directly into the existing panel space and reduce the modifications required to an absolute minimum".

The smd drive now drives the existing motor and gearbox and allows precise indexing speed control.

As no motor replacement or additional gearing was required, the solution also proved very cost effective when compared with a mechanical solution.

Power ratings for the existing smd range are from 0.25 to 22kW with an input voltage range of 200 to 480V single- and three-phase to support both domestic applications and export sales.

The smd series also features the innovative new EPM memory chip that can cut programming and service time by 90% for OEMs and systems integrators.

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