Single-phase drive integrates motor and gearbox

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 12, 2008

Combined units provide a sophisticated variable speed motor solution by integrating a frequency inverter drive with an AC motor and gearbox.

Nord Drivesystems has extended its range of integrated drive/motor/gearbox units with single-phase input versions.

These ready-built automation blocks have become very popular with machinery and automation builders because of their space saving attributes and for the time savings they offer during equipment specification and system building.

Typical applications include controlling pumps, fans or conveyors.

The new Nordac trio SK 300E units provide a sophisticated variable speed motor solution by integrating a frequency inverter drive with an AC motor and gearbox.

The single-phase units are offered in a choice of four sizes with power output ratings from 0.37 to 1.1kW, and come with an integrated brake chopper.

Operating from a standard single-phase 230V supply the units give machine builders greater flexibility to serve applications outside of the normal industrial arena, such as on farms or domestic premises, and in smaller workshops.

Nord's existing three-phase range extends the power rating choices up to 4kW for heavier-duty applications.

The Nordac trio SK 300E units are provided as matched drive/motor/gearbox combinations and are ready to install.

A dedicated connection compartment in the enclosure provides generous room for connection of mains and control lines.

A built-in mains line EMC filter meeting Class B standards of EMC Directive is also included.

No additional cooling measures are required, and the whole unit can be mounted in different orientations to suit the application.

Despite their integrated nature, Nordac trio SK 300E units can be specified with a range of I/O, fieldbus communications, motor and gearing features to provide automation builders with broad-ranging capability.

In their simplest form, units might be configured with some simple pushbutton or potentiometer controls to provide operators with controls for preset speeds and movement direction (a standard Nord expansion module is available for this kind of application).

However, the sophisticated control possibilities offered by the frequency inverter allow units to be set up to perform advanced motion control that can be activated locally from a man-machine interface or remotely from a PC or PLC via I/O or fieldbus signals.

Nord Drivesystems' UK facility will also configure and assemble the units with a choice of EFF1 or EFF2 efficiency rated motors, and any of a wide range of gearboxes including worm or helical gearing to suit the target application.

Any standard form of motor mounting can be specified, including an IEC B3 foot.

Nord can also supply the drive/motor/gearbox combination, or subsets of it, in a range of formats to help users repair or upgrade existing installations.

Configurations include a geared motor with the inverter supplied separately to make it suitable for wall mounting, or an integrated motor and drive with a flanged interface to an existing gearbox.