AC drives gain synchronisation features
A
Control Techniques product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jun 24, 2003
The Unidrive SP AC drive now has an added feature - CTSync is designed to give machine and system builders added flexibility where precise synchronisation is required between drives.
The Unidrive SP AC drive now has an added feature - CTSync is designed to give machine and system builders added flexibility where precise synchronisation is required between drives for multi-axis position control.
Multiple Unidrive SP drives can now be synchronised simply by linking their SM - applications plug-in modules with RS485 serial cable and selecting CTSync mode.
If modules are already in use, the cable is the only additional hardware required.
CTSync can be used to create a "virtual master" within any one of the interconnected drives.
It is possible to reassign the master dynamically, or to make any other configuration changes, very simply by using an optional CTNet link or any other fieldbus.
This means that problems associated with encoders or "real" masters can be eliminated, for example: where they are difficult or impossible to fit on the machine; stability is low or position references need to be increased; electrical noise is high and feed-forward is required.
CT Sync will now be a standard feature with the SM - applications modules that provide programming of customised solutions.
CT Sync enables deterministic control of multiple Unidrive SP drives.
Using the RS485 port, the feed-forward reference signal (speed, acceleration etc) gives better stability, with no noise interference and increased resolution.
A complex line reference signal for any profile is much easier to generate at source rather than "downstream".
The CT Sync solution comprises two 32bit values with an auxiliary 8bit value.
Users can use this data in any way they wish - for example, 32bit for high-resolution position data and 32bit for high-resolution velocity data, plus 8bit for sequencing.
Typical applications include printing, packaging and other automation applications that require high accuracy synchronisation.
In addition, because Unidrive SP drives can be configured to accept any encoder signal and convert it to any other format or signal out to suit downstream requirements, Unidrive SP can be used as a universal gateway for encoder signals, again making life much easier for the machine builder or systems integrator.
Unidrive SP can accept up to four encoder inputs and generate up to three simulated encoder outputs, in a choice of formats.
Unidrive SP can be configured for 14 different feedback signal devices as standard, and Unidrive SP's facility of SM solutions modules that tailor the drive both in terms of scalable control (ie in replacing a PLC) and in terms of communications, with a wide choice of fieldbus options available.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Contact Control Techniques
Tel +44 1952 213 700
Other Control Techniques stories
-
AC drive provides fine height control
Each Industrial Devices 25kN-rated ACME thread actuator is driven by a 0.55kW braked motor, with encoder feedback and controlled by a 0.75kW Control Techniques Unidrive SP AC drive. -
System keeps sewage pump impellers working
When the PLC within the Unidrive SP recognises a change in the pump preset torque profile, it initiates a set of procedures designed to clear the impeller. -
Automated jigs cuts towbar assembly time in half
Automatic Technologies International's rotating jigs use Unidrive SP AC drives with UMD servomotors from Control Techniques Dynamics, with programming provided by on-board EZMotion modules. -
Control contract signed for major coal mine
ATB Sever provided the customer with a complete turnkey solution including electrical control panels, software, motors and all electrical and commissioning works on site. -
Variable speed drives help cut wear on beet plant
The Control Techniques drives give more than 180% start-up current to get the beet finisher drum started.
Browse by category
-
Capital Equipment (3,533)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (546)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,133)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (478)
- Production line blowers and fans (74)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (978)
- Consultancy and Services (927)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,142)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (818)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (190)
- Control and Instrumentation (3)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (297)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (204)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,210)
- Plantwide control (1,354)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (577)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (393)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,450)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (2)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,293)
- Industrial Motors (502)
- Linear Drives and Motors (121)
- Precision Motors and Gears (434)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,096)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,327)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (588)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (724)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (652)
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (377)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (722)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (430)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (830)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,388)
- 2D CAD software (203)
- 3D CAD software (1,199)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (583)
- Data, document management software (324)
- Electrical design software (168)
- Engineering Design Software (17)
- FEA and structural analysis software (377)
- File conversion software, data capture (358)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (340)
- Materials design and moulding design software (153)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (325)
- PLM and collaboration software (665)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (269)
- Publishing and documentation software (234)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (208)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (965)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,199)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (273)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Conferences (438)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (851)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (578)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (354)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (635)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Seminars (421)
- Engineering Training Courses (458)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (180)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (285)
- Health and Safety Legislation (403)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (115)
- Machine Building (4,633)
-
Materials and Processing (3,041)
- Materials and components (2,272)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials processing and testing (292)
- Rapid Prototyping (472)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,681)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (491)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (505)
- Data loggers (428)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (645)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (766)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (449)
- Materials testing equipment (439)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (159)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (522)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,276)
-
Powertrain Design (3,723)
- Bearings (986)
- Chains and belts (334)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,482)
- Hydraulic Components (475)
- Lubricants (441)
- Powertrain Design (4)
-
Sensors (7,319)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (450)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (650)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (294)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (158)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (539)
- Linear Position Sensors (417)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (732)
- Pressure sensors (643)
- Proximity Sensors (715)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (565)
- Sensors (12)
- Temperature sensors (624)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,417)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (2,057)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,732)
