Lenze
The latest offering from Lenze focused on servo-driven systems is the 8400 TopLine drive, which the company says provides an affordable, high-performance model that significantly reduces panel costs.

Lenze claims that the 8400 TopLine’s position at the top of the 8400 frequency inverter range means the drive can be volume manufactured, leading to its competitive pricing compared to other servo drives.

It has been designed for use with synchronous and asynchronous motors, which can be run as open or closed loop systems, with feedback from absolute or incremental encoders for precision control.

The 8400 TopLine was designed to provide middle to high-end servo performance for applications in the 0.55- 45kW range working with currents rated between 3 and 89Amps.

Lenze has targeted applications such as palletising, food portioning and paper winding machinery, for which it says the 8400 TopLine brings particularly significant benefits.

For palletising, smooth positioning is required with medium to high dynamics which the 8400 TopLine achieves with a peak torque of 200% available for three seconds, with smooth ‘S’ shaped ramps for acceleration and deceleration.

The integration of EMC filtration and a braking chopper, despite the drive’s compact dimensions, allow space saving in a palletising application by reducing the elements needed on a typical control panel for the process.

Integrated into the drive is an onboard software suite that can be used for controlling positioning, the electrical gearbox and the holding brakes.

Programming for each application is simplified by use of point-to-point positioning software inbuilt into the drive, so only the destination needs to be transmitted by the higher-level controller. This in turn saves on space on a typical application control panel used in palletising.

To further reduce the number of external safety components, the 8400 TopLine can include a Safe Torque Off function compliant with category 4, PLe as an optional extra.

Vertical axes will require a spring-applied holding brake in this applications, and the drive has integrated software to switch a 24V DC brake coil.

Instead of an incremental encoder, where required by the application a robust resolver can be used that results in a homing cycle being triggered after each use.

Efficient energy use can be achieved by linking DC bus connections on TopLine drives to share the energy generated via braking on one axis with drives on other axes.

The 8400 TopLine’s programming software, L-force Engineer, is provided as standard to allow users to define settings and parameters as well as for use in a diagnostic capacity.

Customers can purchase 8400 TopLine servos with matching synchronous or asynchronous motors, power, and feedback cables with plug connections.

Hitachi
The "Max" series of inverter/vector-duty motors meet NEMA MG1-2003, Part 31. These general-purpose three phase motors are specifically designed for operation from variable frequency PWM power and provide a generous speed range. Standard models are normally available from stock. Build-ups with popular options are also available by quotation on a non-stock basis.

MicroMax motors are designed as a replacement motor technology for PMDC systems, multi-speed motors, single phase and as a variable speed upgrade from standard fixed speed motor systems. Uses include machine tools, conveyors, paint sprayers, metering pumps, indexing machines, packaging equipment, food and beverage machinery, printing equipment, floor machines, and treadmills.

Black Max TENV motors are ideal for any high performance application, utilizing Closed- or Open-Loop Vector controls or Volts/Hertz drives suitable for countless machinery applications where full torque at zero speed is required. The low inertia design provides extremely quick response to acceleration and deceleration commands as well as changes in direction. Uses include machine tools, conveyors, palletizers, crane & hoist systems, accumulators, packaging equipment, extruders, converting equipment and numerous other motion control applications.

Blue Max motors are used in variable frequency drive applications requiring full rated torque at zero speed, utilizing Closed- or Open-Loop (Sensorless) Vector controls, or up to a 20:1 constant torque range, utilizing Volts/Hertz drives. The cast iron construction makes this motor an ideal choice for process lines, chemical plants, paper mills or any other environment requiring cast iron or "severe duty" construction.

Konecranes
Konecranes has launched a new add-on for its diesel RTGs, allowing owners to convert them to hybrid diesel/electric power.

The Hybrid Power Pack is designed to allow users the ease of use of a fully diesel RTG, while saving port operators money by potentially reducing diesel fuel consumption by at least 60%.

The RTG operates with electrical power drawn from the batteries when it is possible to do so.

Additionally, energy generated during braking is converted into electricity and recharges batteries.

This allows RTGs to operate much longer on a single tank of fuel. Konecrane’s other diesel-fuel reducing option, the Diesel Fuel Saver, achieves similar fuel efficiency by matching RPM with the energy output required.

Alongside the Hybrid Power Pack, Konecranes’ pre-existing power options for both diesel and electric RTGs include the Diesel Fuel Saver, and two electric power options, the Cable Reel and Busbar. The company also provides retrofitting and servicing of machines.

Zollern
A newly developed electric drive rope winch by Zollern, where the entire drive train — consisting of an asynchronous motor and planetary gear — has been integrated into the inside of the rope drum, is to be employed for the first time as part of a highly sophisticated mobile drilling system.

With all development undertaken inhouse, Zollern developed the new asynchronous motor specifically to meet the performance requirements of the rope winch, with the drive unit and gearbox also Zollern products.

For the complex drilling application Zollern designed the rope drive winch for, the drilling system will be used to drill down to a depth of 5km to reach gas resources.

150 individual drill rods suited for tackling different depths will be supplied for use, moved vertically via the raised derrick, and set to rotate by a drill drive unit.

The 340kW oil-cooled motor and the two-stage planetary gear produced inhouse have both been adjusted to complement the other’s operation to provide optimal performance for this particular application.

They ultimately exert a cable pull on the drum of 160kN and a maximum speed of 600m/min. An additional hydraulic emergency drive with two spur wheel gear stages will act as a failsafe for the main drive unit, allowing the drill system to be withdrawn from the hole in the event of failure to guard against any further damage.

All heat-generating components of the system were built with an enclosed capsule design to help satisfy the requirements of the gas drilling application, as above certain temperatures there would be the risk of explosion in such an environment. As a result even the amount of heat generated during braking has been accounted for to ensure temperatures never exceed 200°C.

Explaining how the pressures of this first application informed the winch design, Zollern’s Peter
Berger said: "Because it is mounted on the vehicle, it was impossible for the winch to be even 10mm wider, so we had to optimise every single detail. We had to carry out this space-saving optimisation keeping the demand for protection from explosion accidents in mind."

Explaining the need for this system, managing director of the client firm, Delta P, Ulrich Niele added: "In this performance class and under these operating conditions, we would most probably have had problems with control of the hydraulics. Also, we have repeatedly observed that in Russia the attention paid to hydraulic systems during maintenance is not particularly outstanding, which can lead to more frequent malfunctions. We therefore find the new Zollern system very convenient."