Industrial Factory Automation

Hitachi America, Ltd., Industrial Systems Division, today announced the availability of Pump Sleep Mode functionality in its X200 and SJ200 Series Microdrives. The functionality is implemented utilizing only the inverter’s built-in PID control, logic and timing functions as a basis. Together with parameter settings, external jumper wiring is all that is required to realize the sleep mode operation. Hitachi X200 Series AC Drives Contactor-style package (power in at top/motor out at bottom) Emergency stop function Improved trip avoidance Advanced logic and calculate functions Suitable for side-by-side mounting Patented micro-surge voltage suppression Non-stop operation after instantaneous power failure Built in RS-485 Modbus/RTU Ratings ¼ to 3 hp, 230 V, single or 3-phase; 5 to 10 hp, 230 V, 3-phase; ½ to 10 hp, 460 V, 3-phase Hitachi SJ200 Series VFD Inverters New Intelligent Sensorless Vector Control - NO Autotuning Required! Up to 200% Starting Torque Most ...

Gefran has expanded its ADV200 line of high-performance, field-oriented control (FOC) vector inverters, adding three larger frame sizes with heavy duty overload power now available up to 1.2MW. The modular range now includes four panel-mount and three cabinet-housed drives for continuous service, constant torque power output applications from 0.75kW to 355kW at 400-480VAC. With heavy duty and light duty overload management and with a choice of open loop, closed loop with speed feedback, or V/F control, the ADV200 range provides maximum application flexibility with up to three front-mounted option card slots for a mixed combination of encoder and fieldbus interfaces or I/O expansion cards. The ADV200 is aimed at system builders and OEMs requiring an inverter drive platform that is able to meet the needs of the widest possible range of speed control applications. Based on a high-performance 32-bit microcontroller providing a closed-loop speed regulation up to 0.01 per cent and a speed r...

Softinway has announced that its next free webinar, entitled 'Designing the Flow Paths of Mixed-Flow Compressors', will be held on 15 September 2009 at 10:00 and 16:00 EST. The webinar addresses the challenges that engineers working in the oil-and-gas, power-plant and air-engine industries face while designing mixed-flow compressors.  The goal of the webinar is to provide an effective, feature-rich solution to overcome these challenges and accelerate the product development process using Axstream software. The programme includes an overview of the industries involving mixed-flow compressors and benefits of such machines, for example, the possibility of achieving higher pressure ratio at smaller size, which is critical, taking into account today's trend to increase pressure ratio. The theory is followed by Axstream presentation, including mixed-flow compressor design, 1D/2D analysis and optimisation, 3D structural analysis and 3D flow analysis. After that, the turbomachiner...

Switchboard supplier EMS has selected switchboards in Eaton 's Moeller Modan range to assist in the completion of an upgrade to a Heygates flour mill in Tring, Hertfordshire. The task of upgrading the electrical equipment in the mill posed two key challenges. The first was that the space available to accommodate the new switchboards was extremely limited. The second was that, as the mill operates continuously and downtime is costly, it was necessary for Heygates to be able to carry out maintenance and fault-finding work on, for example, individual motor starters, without shutting down the whole plant. EMS knew from its work on previous projects that switchboards from Eaton's Moeller Modan range would provide a complete and cost-effective solution to both problems. While the Modan switchboards are available in a variety of configurations, for this application the engineers chose the Modan W. Because Modan W uses withdrawable and removable plug-in units, function modules can be e...

Sensor Systems has added a range of Hall-effect rotary position sensors to its ST350 series. The company said the sensors simplify customer use by providing the CANbus outputs needed for new-generation control systems. An operating range up to 360deg gives customers greater control and system accuracy by allowing them to select a range more closely suited to their application. Supply voltage up to 30VDC and the CANbus DS301/DS406 profiles up to 1Mbits/s improve compatibility with a variety of control systems. Linearity of +/- 0.50deg with a resolution of about +/- 0.09deg provides customers with increased measurement precision. Thermal drift lower than 100ppm/C allows applications under adverse ambient conditions. Different connector choices (for example, AMP Superseal or Deutsch) satisfy customer connection requirements. The ST350 series sensors use solid-state Hall-effect technology, providing non-contact operation, enhancing service life and reducing wear-out mechanisms. This serie...

Pump Engineering has announced that the Ponndorf PK40 compact double-head hose pump is now available. The Ponndorf PK40 high-pressure twin unit is capable of providing flows up to 15,000 litres/hr at pressures up to 15 bar. The versatile, self-priming, pumps offer the advantages of peristaltic pumping, which are particularly relevant to the food-processing and water-treatment industries. For example, shear-sensitive, delicate liquids or those containing solids remain unaffected by the pumping process. The absence of seals, glands and valves reduces the likelihood of component failure and resulting downtime, sometimes associated with demanding pumping applications, such as those involving abrasives and other similar aggressive media. Cleaning and washing is also simplified because only the hose has contact with the process fluid, therefore quick and effective cleaning is achieved simply by flushing through the hose. The pump is fully reversible and is supplied with a selection of hose ...

Laser Lines has explained the key advantages of laser welding. Nylon welding processes are split into two categories: low-energy-density, and high-energy-density processes. Low-energy-density processes are those such as traditional arc and resistance welding technologies that rely on heat conduction through the material from a surface point to provide melting. High-energy-density processes using lasers create a heating filament, known as the keyhole, which penetrates the depth and offers 2D line heating, causing a highly efficient heat transfer into the weld joint. The key advantages of laser welding are a small heat-affected zone (HAZ), accurate control of heat input, and the ability to direct the beam precisely to the weld point. This means reduced thermal distortion, the ability to weld close to heat-sensitive parts, and precision welding capabilities. Major applications for sub-kilowatt lasers are in precision-welding and heat-sensitive welding processes, such as hermetic sealing,...