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reseller focused on hard-to-find and obsolete industrial automation products.
The term HIM stands for Human Interface Module. It’s basically a user interface that enables human operators to engage and interact with a drive, machine, or a system. HIMs are commonly used in the industrial context, and you’ll often come across them in industrial environments alongside AC drives or Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). They allow factory operators to start and stop process cycles, adjust operating set points, and perform other necessary functions required to control and interact with industrial drives. HIMs are also software-based, so they replace physical and hard-wired controls with software control parameters, allowing easier adjustment of drive operating parameters. Thus, with a HIM you can upload individual sets of parameters for your host drive and any other peripherals connected into the HIM. Other functions include: Accepting input data obtained from human operators Processing the input data Data logging Real-time information display of the operating conditions...
VersaView and PanelView are Allen-Bradley operator interfaces from Rockwell Automation, with similar functionalities as Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs). These graphic operator terminals combine HMI software and hardware to allow users to interact with a controller and the system being controlled. An HMI terminal can vary from a physical control panel with indicator lights and keypad buttons to an industrial PC (IPC) with color graphic displays and which runs a dedicated software. The Allen-Bradley PanelView and VersaView are both popular operator terminals in a variety of industrial control applications requiring the display of information graphically, real-time monitoring, and control of various industrial processes. They enable operators to understand the status of a controller fast enough, so as to make informed control decisions regarding the machine or process being controlled. Allen-Bradley PanelView Terminal Allen-Bradley PanelView terminals provide rugged, graphical interface...
The term VFD stands for Variable Frequency Drive. It is a type of motor controller which drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to that motor. Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) are also known as AC Drives, Inverters, Variable/Adjustable Speed Drives, Inverters, Variable-Voltage Drives, Microdrives, Frequency Converters, or Variable Frequency Inverters (VFIs). Frequency, given in Hertz (Hz), is directly related to motor speed in revolutions per minute (RPM). Thus, by adjusting the input frequency the motor speed can be varied accordingly. For example, the higher the supply frequency, the more RPMs the motor will exhibit. VFDs are best suited for applications in which an electric motor is not required to run at full speed, as they can ramp down the supply voltage and frequency to meet the requirements of the motor’s load. In case there is a change in the application’s motor speed requirements, the VFD can be set to ramp up or turn down the motor speed as...
An MP-Series Low-Inertia Servo Motor (Cat. No. MPL-B320P-MJ22AA) MPL servo motors are a family of MP-Series™ low-inertia rotary servo motors, from Rockwell Automation under Allen-Bradley Bulletin MPL. They are compact and highly dynamic brushless servo motors consisting of premium permanent magnets. They feature multi-turn or single-turn high resolution encoders, and they are available with 24 Volts DC brakes. The MPL units use innovative design characteristics and advanced winding technology to reduce motor size while delivering considerably higher torque. They thus leverage their high torque-to-size ratio to provide high-performance motion systems, which require servo motors with quicker acceleration and excellent torque performance. The MP-Series™ low-inertia servo motors are typically used with PowerFlex drives and Kinetix drives from Allen-Bradley. The Allen-Bradley® MPL servo motors feature two input voltage classes: 400V-class and 200V-class. They are available in nine (9)...
Allen Bradley PowerFlex4 The Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 4 is a series of compact Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), which provide powerful and precise motor speed control. These drives are programmed for Volts-per-Hertz (V/Hz) operation mode, as the default motor control setting. They are designed for ease of use and optimal flexibility, with a space-saving design. In addition, PowerFlex 4 drives provide users with intuitive interface devices including an integrated keypad with control keys and a local potentiometer. Moreover, the PowerFlex 4 drives are an economical speed control alternative for a variety of industrial applications including fans, conveyors, machine tools, pumps, and material handling systems. Essentially, PowerFlex 4 drives are designed to meet the demands of global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users for simplicity, cost efficiency, and space savings. They are the smallest and most cost-effective members of the compact, Allen-Bradley PowerFlex®...
The Allen-Bradley PowerFlex® is a family of Compact-class AC drives developed by Rockwell Automation, to deliver cost-effective solutions for simple system integration or standalone machine-level control applications. In general, PowerFlex drives provide extreme application flexibility, linear scalability, and excellent performance while simplifying the management of workload infrastructure. PowerFlex 40 and 40P drives are the most compacts and cost-effective members of the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex® series of AC drives. They are a general-purpose class of AC drives, which provide a compact package to optimize application versatility and panel space. They are designed for ease of use, providing users with powerful and dynamic motor speed control in a compact, space-saving design. This article seeks to provide an in-depth comparison of the features and control capabilities of PowerFlex 40 and PowerFlex 40P AC drives. Allen Bradley PowerFlex 40 Allen-Bradley PowerFlex® 40 drives are an...
Allen-Bradley PanelViews are graphical operator interfaces, similar to Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs). They are a combination of hardware and software through which users interact with a controller. These PanelView terminals are popular in a variety of industrial applications that require monitoring, control, and graphical display of operational data. Their color graphics displays allow operators to quickly understand the status of the controller and the system or machine being controlled, to make better control decisions. However, with so many different PanelView terminals available from Rockwell Automation, selecting the right one for your application can be confusing especially if you’re not familiar with their features. This article seeks to provide a detailed comparison of PanelView 800 and PanelView plus 7, to hopefully assist you to make a more informed choice between the two. PanelView 800 PanelView 800 terminals are color graphic Human-Machine Interface (HMI) devices under...
PLCs and CNCs are two major categories of digital controllers employed in different industrial control applications. On a surface level, it’s easy to group them together since they are both run by programs, digital processors, and they both interface with input and output devices. For example, if you ask a systems programmer whether a CNC controller can be used in place of a PLC system, the answer could be a frustrating variation of “Yes or No.” It’s therefore important to identify the differences between the two control systems, as discussed in this article. In electrical terms, PLC stands for Programmable Logic Controller. It is a compact, special-purpose computer designed to perform logic operations to control different electro-mechanical systems. Initially, PLCs were developed to perform the functionalities of hard-wired relays in the automotive industry. Today, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are widely used to automate manufacturing processes, assembly lines, and different...
Both Eaton S801+ and Eaton S811+ industrial soft starters, products of Eaton’s electrical business are very compact and smart electronic devices to smoothly start three-phase induction motors. Both share many common features and are distinct slightly from each other. This article focuses on some of their major characteristics which could be related to their power or control actions, hardware features, and/or environmental specifications with reference to applications, and outlines all similarities as well as differences. Both soft starters S801+ and S811 are very compact so they could be retrofitted in existing wye-delta starters, NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) and IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) starters, or other soft starters. As this feature of S801+ and S811+ starters makes replacement of the whole system or structure avoidable, so huge expenses are emitted. This feature makes these soft starters more usable and demanding. Eaton Corporation...
A Soft Starter is a device that provides an alternative startup method to a typical AC motor with fewer power requirements at start-up. It reduces the amount of drawn inrush current and limits the motor starting torque; this helps reduce potentially damaging mechanical and electrical shocks on the motor system. When a soft starter is added to a motor’s circuit, it continuously regulates the motor’s supply voltage during the start-up phase. This means that the motor will gradually adjust to the machine’s load behavior. So, the soft starter provides the motor with a smooth acceleration up to full speed. This improves the operating behavior and lengthens the service life of your motor; it also smooths workflows. As the name suggests, soft starters are mainly used in the start-up phase of electric motors or other mechanical operating equipment. But they can also be used to stop, accelerate, reverse and protect such equipment. Moreover, they are used to reduce motor heating in case of...
No matter what industry you work in, you’ve almost certainly dealt with electrical components made by companies under the Eaton Corporation’s umbrella. Generations of industrial power and controls professionals have turned to Eaton for solutions, and as the Eaton family of companies continues to grow, we find ourselves handling products that our predecessors trusted all the same, just under different brand names. One of these evolving product families is found in Eaton’s SVX and HVX Adjustable Frequency Drives, previously sold under the Cutler-Hammer banner. In this article, we’ll update you on the current state of these still-relevant SVX and HVX drive models, as well as offer a comparison between their features. While most control hardware buyers know Eaton Corporation for its wiring, power distribution, and panel hardware products, the company has an extensive array of higher-level control and automation devices positioned to compete against industry giants Rockwell Automation and...
Recent advancements in industrial automation have led to the development of more powerful and more flexible control systems, which are easier to program, configure and communicate with. Modern industrial controllers are characterized by higher processing power and better interconnectivity in comparison to traditional controllers. Today, many industrial control applications utilize Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and Industrial Personal Computers (IPCs) to acquire raw data, process, visualize or store the processed data. You’ll often find both HMI and IPC on the factory floor, and it is almost impossible to distinguish them at first glance; as they resemble each other in physical appearance. Even many plant operators usually call an IPC an HMI, which adds to potential confusion. However, there are technical and functional differences between an IPC and an HMI that go beyond their outward physical design. These differences include processing and connectivity capabilities, feature set...
Allen-Bradley’s Kinetix family of motion control components offers arguably the most versatile and reliable automated motion product line on the market today. Within the Kinetix family, we find solutions for every motion-kit component type downstream of the controller – encoders, servo drives, cabling, motors, and more. Kinetix servo drives are of particular interest given the vast range of performance and application options available. To begin exploring Allen-Bradley’s servo drive options, we’ll start with this article on the Kinetix 300 / 350 servo drive series, its performance and technical details, and a comparison of models. Motion Control Automation describes the concepts, hardware, and software that perform spatial or location-based tasks in manufacturing machinery. Robotic motion is found virtually everywhere these days – from an average automatic standing office desk, to the massive boom jib on the International Space Station. In industrial manufacturing, machine engineers...
Industries globally understand the importance of electric drives in ensuring efficient control of motor outputs. And with the constant developments and innovations springing up in the industrial automation field, the need for alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) drives have continued to grow in leaps. Both AC and DC drives are indispensable to the regulation of control signals. However, there are notable differences between the two drives. This article focuses on these differences in terms of benefits, composition, operation, capability, cost, and usability. The AC Drive and its Benefits The AC drive is used to control motor speed through the conversion of direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). This drive involves such components as an inverter unit, DC circuit, rectifier unit, etc. It has helped increase productivity and innovation in the electronics industry. AC drives operate only with motors whose speeds are controlled by switching frequency from the...
Servo drives are an integral part of a servo system. Working in tandem with a motor, controller, and a feedback device, servo drives receive instructions from the controller for the prescribed motion for the motor. It then sends the right amount of electrical current to enable the motor to perform the motion required. There are several types of servo drives including those that control torque as well as velocity and positioning. But torque is the most used variable in many servo systems. Because they deliver the precise required voltage and current to motors, servo drives are also called amplifiers. All variables encountered by service systems – torque, position, velocity – are part of a complex motion control system that impacts safety, efficiency, and equipment condition. So, having the right servo system components are critical. Without the right components, servo systems could overheat and shorten the lifespan of the motor. There are many OEM producers of servo drives across the...