Integrated Motor Solutions

A major thrust for the entire motion control industry, and motor manufacturers in particular, is how to create more highly integrated solutions. Integration is a way for suppliers to increase the value of product offerings, by helping engineers solve systems engineering and manufacturing issues by producing single products with expanded capabilities.

Motor suppliers are approaching the issue of integrated solutions from a wide variety of viewpoints. Motor-drive-controller products, especially in smaller motor sizes, are becoming a much larger product category. System interconnections are obviously simplified and the total cost of integration is greatly reduced for users. But the push to higher levels of integration also extends to motor-drive and motor-actuator combinations. The strength of this approach is that whenever suppliers eliminate a troublesome interface, reduce wiring or impact the total size of motor-drive-controller solutions, it simplifies application integration and lowers the total installed cost of the control system.

ROHS-COMPLIANT BRUSHLESS DC MOTOR AND BOX DRIVER

A new BLU speed control package from Oriental Motor is composed of a brushless dc motor and a cased driver with power supply. The motor can be connected easily by plugging the motor connector into the driver. Motor speed can be directly set using the potentiometer control knob located on the front panel. The power supply line-up ranges from 115V ac single phase, to 230V ac single and three phase operation.

The RoHS-compliant BLU series consists of three models ranging from 20 to 90W output power. The BLU possesses speed regulation accuracy of + 0.5 percent and can be operated at precise speeds from 100 to 2,000 rpm. The motor meets IP65 environmental conditions.

Two gearhead types are available, a parallel shaft gearhead and the hollow shaft flat gearhead in a wide variety of gear ratios. The space-saving, pre-assembled hollow shaft flat gearhead offers higher torques and gear ratios.

SMALL MOTOR DELIVERS ALL-IN-ONE MOTION CONTROL

The MDrivePlus product line from Intelligent Motion Systems has its smallest integrated all-in-one motion control solution with the new MDrive14Plus. The unit utilizes a NEMA size 14, brushless 1.8 degree motor that measures 1.9 x 1.4 x 2.0 inches (48 x 36 x 52 mm).

The product includes a programmable controller and a full featured easy-to-program instruction set. Communications is either RS-422/485 or optional CANopen. The unit includes up to eight +5 to +24V general purpose I/O lines, one 10-bit analog input, 0 to 5 MHz step clock rate and 20 microstep resolutions up to 51,200 steps per revolution. Optional closed-loop control adds features for stall detection, position maintenance and “find index mark.”

Oversized input capacitors minimize power line surges, reducing problems that can occur with long runs and multiple drive systems. By controlling current flow through the motor, resonance is significantly dampened over the entire speed range and audible noise is reduced.

INTEGRATED SOLUTION FOR NOISE-SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS

The extremely low-noise Koax-Drive KD 32 from Maxon Motors USA provides both high-torque performance and quiet operation, a must in medical technology applications to make handling instruments a more pleasant experience.

Unique and innovative torque conversion means the new Koax-Drive KD 32 runs very quietly, even under a high load. The internal design of the newly redesigned gearheads is patent pending and Maxon believes it is a breakthrough for applications in noise-sensitive environments.

With a diameter of 32 mm and a coaxial arrangement on the drive and output shaft, the unit is also targeted for use in applications where space is at a premium. The gearhead has an efficiency factor of around 60 percent with a reduction ratio of 1:32.

In Maxon's system, it can be combined with EC motors which are optimally pre-installed at the factory. In conjunction with these motors, the Koax-Drive is ideally suited for quiet hand tools and equipment.