Control Techniques offers digital DC motor drive

Control Techniques has launched a digital DC motor drive - the Mentor MP.

Mentor MP offers energy-efficient operation, high motor performance and flexibility in its system interfacing capabilities and onboard processing power.

Mentor MP is RoHS compliant and has full system integration flexibility, offering three option module slots and an inbuilt field controller.

Control Techniques has a patent (pending) to protect an aspect of the Mentor MP design.

Galvanic isolation between power and control is a standard feature in AC drives and, in the case of power-side failure, protects the control circuits and customer connected equipment.

Other DC drives feature a form of isolation that only rely on 'impedance only' isolation, which has limitations; Mentor MP does not, its technology achieves galvanic isolation without compromising performance or reliability.

Each Mentor MP has three universal option module slots offering users flexibility to choose from any combination of the 18 option modules available.

These economically priced option modules are common across Control Techniques AC, DC and Servo drive ranges and include functionality extensions such as additional feedback options and expanded I/O and a powerful on-board programmable control.

The range of optional fieldbus connectivity includes Profibus-DP, Interbus-S, DeviceNet, CANopen and various Ethernet protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP and EtherCAT.

Communications gateway solutions can also be implemented easily and economically within the drive by installing two or three fieldbus option modules.

The number of option modules will increase as Control Techniques develops new solutions for its complete range of drives.

The Mentor MP has a standard inbuilt field controller, which is all most users will ever need - but an external field controller option, the FXMP25, provides field forcing for high dynamic applications; such as very fast reversing (for example, typical machine tool spindle applications) while a new feature allows reverse jogging control with two-quadrant drives for lower-cost systems that do not require fast reversal.

In addition, Mentor MP has a field controller mode that allows itself to act as a field control for larger DC motors, where the field current can be greater than the capacity of the FXMP25.

Mentor MP uses the Control Techniques suite of software tools, developed to support the programming and drive configuration of its AC drive ranges.

For example CT-Soft, used for drive configuration, includes a configuration wizard allowing existing Mentor users to transfer drive settings from an existing Mentor II drive to the new Mentor MP.

Existing Mentor II users will also appreciate the design results that make Mentor MP a simple retrofit, with the same mechanical footprint, main fixing centres and with power connections located in the same place as Mentor II.

SyPTLite, used already by AC drive users, can be used for simple IEC language ladder programming on board the drive.

For high-performance, cost-effective automation solutions, Mentor MP offers the capability to link multiple AC, DC and Servo drives together with extensive I/O, controlling PCs and Operator Interfaces by using CTNet to create a truly distributed control system.

Each drive can house a programmable option module called SM Applications, which is programmed using SyPTPro, an IEC61131-3 style programming tool with function block, ladder logic, and structured text language capability.

This onboard configuration can often eliminate a standalone controller and so reduce system cost.

Further option modules can be used to connect with I/O, fieldbus or Ethernet protocols for control and monitoring.

SM Applications modules can also be loaded with existing, proven, application-specific software such as crane control, winder / rewinder, flying shear and other commonly used automation functions.

The Mentor MP covers output current ranges from 25A to 1850A with a single module approach - and 7,400A when paralleled - is available in 12- and 24-pulse configurations providing low harmonics.

Optional keypads are offered as high-brightness LED or multi-language LCD with plain text versions and a range of 18 plug-in option modules, including SM-EtherCAT, SM-Register and SM-Applications can provide extra control, functionality and communication.

While Smartcard technology provides parameter, PLC and motion programme storage in addition to drive parameter 'cloning'.

Mentor MP plays a part in promoting sustainable technology.

DC motors are both efficient and robust and offer years of service, providing good performance in a wide range of industrial processes and applications.

Retaining an existing DC motor and upgrading the drive makes good environmental and investment sense to any plant upgrade project.

It provides the opportunity to enhance the overall system performance and reliability while minimising problematic re-engineering and installation work.

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