Automation Parts

PI has introduced the N-216 Nexline high-load piezo linear motors - ultra-precision nanopositioning actuators that provide travel ranges to 20mm and push/pull forces to 600N (130lb). The operating principle is based on coordinated motion of a number of highly preloaded linear and shear piezo elements acting on a ceramic runner. Nexline Piezowalk drives can be used in ultra-precision manufacturing and semiconductor test equipment to astronomy and high-energy physics applications. Their reliability makes them suitable for applications in difficult-to-access internals of instruments, where nanometer-realm adjustment and/or vibration cancellation are required. To promote long lifetime, the Piezowalk controller can reduce the operating voltage on the piezo elements to zero at any position without affecting the full holding force (up to 800N, 177lbs). The piezoceramic clamping and shear elements act directly on a moving runner coupled to the load. For maximum velocity and long-distance ...

Scottish Water has replaced the ageing DC pump drive motors of three large sludge pumps at one of its wastewater facilities with matched W21 high-efficiency AC motors and CFW-09 drives from WEG. The DC motors were employed on Whitehead and Poole piston ram pumps that are used to transfer sludge from the Laighpark wastewater treatment site, which serves around 150,000 people in the Paisley area of Glasgow, to Shieldhall wastewater treatment plant. They had been installed for some years, providing the high torque at start-up necessary for the pumping operation, and the facility for variable speed control of the pumps via a simple potentiometer. Because the capacity for storing sludge at Laighpark is limited, transfers to Shieldhall are made daily. This places a premium on the reliability of the two front-line motors - the third is a duty stand-by - which are generally called upon to operate for six hours a day. This was not a problem until recently, when the age of the motors starting...

Pittman DC Motors Integrate Neodymium Magnets Pittman 30mm brush-commutated DC motors integrate high-energy bonded neodymium magnets for maximised power density and magnetic-field profile, and a seven-slot straight armature to minimise cogging. The motors also feature a large diamond-turned commutator and copper-graphite brushes to deliver high-current capacity and long-life operation. The Series 8540 brush DC motors offering high torque-to-size performance that is suitable for power-data storage, as well as medical equipment and business machines. The motors (1.181in diameter) are available in three standard lengths: 2.080, 2.552 and 3.025in). They can achieve continuous torque up to 9.3oz/in, continuous power up to 43W, depending on model, peak torque up to 78.7oz/in and speeds up to 6440rpm at continuous torque for standard motors at rated voltages. Their balanced armature minimises noise and vibration; large pre-loaded and heavy-duty ball bearings and supports promote high sh...

WEG has announced that its HV electric motors, inverters and generators have been utilised in the P-53 floating platform unit (FPU) deployed by Petrobras off the coast of Brazil. The company said the FPU relies on WEG's products for its continuous reliable operation in the worst of environmental conditions. The platform uses WEG medium- and high-voltage motors to drive water-injection pumps to pump water into the oil well; this in order to maintain high levels of extraction and avoid internal low-pressure conditions. WEG motors also drive the pumps used for oil production outflow from the platform, and those responsible for cooling systems on the platform. The compression modules used on P-53 are supplied by DRVA, a consortium of Dresser-Rand and Vetco Aibel. These units also depend on three WEG 13,500kW, four-pole, 6600V, synchronous motors driven by frequency inverters. The motors and inverters were supplied as integrated systems by WEG to Dresser-Rand in the US, and to the oi...

Sinusoidal Motors Include Temperature Sensor Bonfiglioli has released a range of brushless, sinusoidal motors designed for three phase, 200V AC and 330V AC power supplies. All models are equipped with a thermistor type temperature sensor and IP 65 push-pull connectors (IP 67 optional) conforming to EMC requirements. The range consists of two series of motors, one designated BTD, and the other BCR. The difference between the two series lies in the extension of their speed and torque ranges, as well as their overall efficiency. This is achieved by two different technologies: standard wound stator for BCR, and advance pole wound for the BCD. Each series includes a number of different mechanical sizes, corresponding to different flange dimensions. Each flange size is available with motors of different lengths, capable of developing different levels of torque. BTD and BCR series servo motors can only be controlled in speed and/or torque by a suitable electronic servo drive. These driv...

The 2009 edition of ABB's Drives & Motors catalog is now available for end-users, system integrators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The 48-page catalogue is free and provides technical details of ABB's range of low-voltage AC drives from 0.18-2,800kW and motors from 0.06 to 710kW. It also presents ABB's range of DC and medium-voltage AC drives. Easy-to-use tables give ordering data, dimensions, options and electrical details for most products, together with prices for 2009. New products for 2009 include an IP66-rated ABB general machinery drive. From 0.37-7.5kW the drive is suitable for screws, mixers, pumps, fans and conveyors in places where the machinery is exposed to dust, moisture and high-pressure washing such as the food and drinks sector. The ABB standard drive range and the ABB industrial drive range have also seen their power range boosted and are now available up to 160kW. Supporting software includes integration and programming tools, star...

Mclennan's 23HT18C and 34HT18C hybrid stepper motors provide a solution for EMC compatible motion control. The NEMA 23 and 34 frame range includes a rear housing extension complete with a UTO type metallised connector. The range has now been augmented with the addition of a rotary encoder option to allow position feedback for applications where position verification is important. A choice of encoder resolutions is available with quadrature output complete with a Z marker channel for accurate axis homing. Encoder interfacing via a D-type connector, also EMC compatible and fitted to the rear housing, completes the assembly. Optional mating plug and screened cable assemblies for both motor and encoder are available to simplify installation and maintain EMC compatibility on the customer's machine. The high torque 23HT18C and 34HT18C range includes a neodymium magnet system for holding torques from 0.39Nm to 7.35Nm with usable speeds up to 10,000 full steps per second. With f...

Parvalux Motors Have Integrated Electronics Twelve months after the launch of its range of its DC brushless motors, Parvalux has strengthened its offering with a selection of motors with Integrated Electronics (IE). Both the PBL42 and PBL60 square frame ranges now come with optional integrated speed controllers. This offers product designers the advantage of the motor and controller coming in one low-profile, compact unit with no interconnecting wires, thereby making the task of design, installation and maintenance much easier To coincide with the release of the IE models, Parvalux has published a new catalogue for the entire DC brushless range. In addition to the wider selection of motor and controller options, the 2009 catalogue highlights 36 recommended gearmotor combinations, as well as add-ons, extras and other customisation options.

MotionMatch is a new sizing software package for servo drives and motors from Lenze-AC Tech. Company officials describe the combination of MotionMatch motor sizing software and MotionView drive configuration software as a powerful yet simple solution to motion control management. According to Darrow Hanesian, Director of Product Management at Lenze-ACTech: 'Sising a motor shouldn't be rocket science and neither should programming a servo drive'. Hanesian reckons that Lenze -AC Tech's MotionMatch, used with the existing MotionView, takes all the guess work out of pairing a servo drive and a motor, plus the user can now configure the drive with infinite ease. 'Our application engineers often get asked about the right size motor for a customer's application; unfortunately, however, the question usually comes after some failure has occurred', says Hanesian. Deb Kling, Lenze-ACTech Marketing Manager, agrees: 'With thousands of drive and motor combination...

Lenze Group research into gearbox materials, together with extensive test running, has resulted in a doubling of the service life of geared motors. One example is a change in the material in the rotary shaft seals to achieve double service life, resulting in reduced life-cycle costs for users. The new shaft seals are already being fitted on highly dynamic servo geared motors in series production. Drive manufacturers such as Lenze can influence approximately 30% of a machine life-cycle costs by reducing maintenance and downtime, also by making parts more durable. Lenze has also been able to simplify servicing of the gears by adding plugs to small gearboxes which make it easier to check the level, top up and drain the oil. Vent valves, which are now also used to provide pressure equalisation in gearboxes, further help to reduce the wear on shaft seals and extend their life. Where the application calls for stopping and holding torques, particularly under conditions of power failure,...