We found 286 posts about Drives & Motors from DO Supply, a global automation parts
reseller focused on hard-to-find and obsolete industrial automation products.
The use of motors in modern society is staggering. It is estimated that motor systems alone account for as much as 47% of the world’s electricity usage. Further, within manufacturing environments, industrial motor systems account for 70% of all electricity used. Intersecting this reality is the fact that as technology in the form of software, AI, cloud-based systems and other advances continues to grow, opportunities exist to improve the performance and efficiency of industrial motor systems through monitoring, automation and more precise management of the entire system. Today, the norm is to link the control of these motors into entire ecosystems to run production lines on scale with better performance for the system overall. Two Approaches to Motor Speed Control To make these complex systems work and to leverage the benefits of an integrated control system, it is important for users to be able to control the most integral cog in the equipment itself – the motor. Performing the...
The PowerFlex family of variable frequency drives gives system builders many options to fit both architecture and budget needs. The PowerFlex 525 is part of Allen Bradley’s compact class of AC drives. These drives are modular and are used for stand-alone control applications or for simple control systems. Of the entrants in the 500 series of compact drives, the 525 offers embedded EtherNet/IP and a modular design that helps in tight spaces and easier installs. The 525 also carries standard safety features and can be programmed via USB. Because it is rated to run in temperatures as high as 158 degrees, the PowerFlex 525 can handle harsh environments. The 525 also has the Safe Torque-Off feature for added safety. Setting the IP Address Parameters for the 525 There are two ways to set the IP address in the 525. The first is through using the keypad on the unit itself. The second is using the USB connection and programming from a PC or laptop. Setting the IP Address with the Keypad Step...
The Kinetix 5500 and 5700 series servo drives offer innovative responses to automation and motion control needs for any system. Combined with the right Kinetix VP servo motors, these systems optimize space and are easier and simpler to use. Because they integrate motion control on EtherNet/IP, a dedicated motion network is not required. This allows for as much as a 60% reduction in cabling and eliminates the requirement for gateways to send and receive data from far away networks. The 5500 comes in 6 sizes while the 5700 series comes in 18 sizes. The 5500 and 5700 work with Kinetix VP servo motors for optimal performance. Kinetix VP servo motors are designed for specific applications such as food grade, continuous duty, low inertia and others. This gives users a motion control system customized for their specific applications. Because Kinetix servo motors have unique winding technology and a DSL encoder onboard, they can connect to smart cable technology to allow communication to the...
PowerFlex low voltage AC drives can be used in a wide variety of control solutions. The PowerFlex family of controllers ranges from low end applications for more simple control needs to more advanced and feature rich models that increase capabilities such as precise positioning and advanced torque control. The PowerFlex family is also easy to program and configure and offers the familiarity of a common user experience regardless of the model selected. This is true for both compact PowerFlex drives used in simple applications at the machine level or in stand alone configuration as well as for architecture sized models with more advanced features and precision built for integration into a factory level or production line control system. The result of this level of flexibility and common software utilization means that the PowerFlex family offers many advantages such as: Low Cost – The range of functionality is so broad along the PowerFlex family that you can choose the right package of...
The position of a shaft within a machine can affect several concerns including safety, quality, volume and other variables. To monitor and control information that can be obtained from the shaft position and rotation, encoders were devised to measure and control the data and motion of the machine along the shaft. There are two types of rotary encoders used today – incremental and absolute. The most common, the incremental encoder, provides position information in real-time. These encoders can measure up to 10,000 counts per revolution and transmit position changes quickly. As a result, they are used in applications that require highly accurate position and velocity measurements. Incremental encoders are available in a variety of technologies depending on applications. These may include mechanical, optical or magnetic sensors which help determine precise positions. They may act as a potentiometer, volume control, and other applications where fine tuning is required. Absolute Encoder...
With the growing complexity and connected nature of today’s manufacturing and warehousing environments, control systems are being asked to do more and more to improve efficiency and performance. When adding or upgrading a control system, the proper selection of the right variable frequency drive (VFD) for your motor is crucial. While there are many options for VFDs from a variety of manufacturers, there are many things to consider when choosing a new VFD. These include motor considerations, VFD selection and how the VFD can or should integrate with PLCs. What Do You Need from the Motor? Before diving into the VFD itself, it is helpful to understand as much information as possible from the motor itself. Most of the critical information is included on the nameplate and should be easily accessible. This information will inform the buyer and provide a foundation for selecting the proper VFD by helping narrow down options for the optimum sized unit. Horsepower – Even though it is not the...
There are hundreds of Allen Bradley 1336 Drives, all of which are controlled by a microprocessor. We focus on comparing the technical specs of the Allen Bradley 1336 Drives, IMPACT Drives, and PLUS Drives in this post. Check out details on Allen Bradley 1336 Drives based on your desired specifications and see the link in each section for further insight. Allen Bradley 1336 Drives are adjustable frequency AC drives that feature handheld programming terminals. The drives are microprocessor-controlled and high-performance units that guide 3-phase industrial applications. The output voltage is determined as a function of the output frequency and adjusts for alignment with motor parameters. Catalog # Input Voltage Hz Phases Amps Out KVA Out @ 380V AC KVA Out @ 415V AC KVA Out at 460V AC Enclosure Type 1336-B003-EAD 380/415/460V AC 50/60 3 6 3.9 4.3 4.8 NEMA Type 1 (IP20) 1336-B005-EAD-FA2 380/415/460V AC 50/60 3 9.6 6.3 6.9 7.6 NEMA Type 1 (IP20) 1336-B007-EAD-FA2 380/415/460V AC 50/60 3...
Allen Bradley has two classes of low voltage drives, their Compact Class and their Architecture Class. The PowerFlex 7x families are part of the Architecture Class of drive, with the 70/700 series being the previous generation to the current 75x series drives. First off, one note about these drives. They are the previous generation of drives from Allen Bradley, and while many of the various models are still being supported by AB as Active Mature products, many of these drives are no longer being offered or supported. If you’re looking to upgrade an existing drive and are looking at the 70/700 series, you should also look at the 753 and 755 series drives. A drives expert can help you with the corresponding drive in both families, a conversation that is definitely worth having. The Powerflex 70 drive is the baseline model of the 7x families of Architecture Class drives. With power ranges from 0.5 through 50HP, and voltage ranges of 200-600VAC, these drives can handle pretty much all but...
Servo motors come in a wide variety of models, differentiated by their requirements and capabilities. Here are a few things to look for and which one is right for you to choose will vary greatly, depending on your application. Motor type: The motor can be either DC or AC, and this is a basic classification based on the type of electrical current that powers the unit. The ability to control speed is the main consideration. If you are using robotics, inline manufacturing or industrial applications where high precision and performance are required, the AC motor is an advantage. For simpler units, DC may work just fine. Brushed or Brushless: Motors can either be brushed or brushless. Brushed motors are cheaper and simpler to operate, while brushless motors are more reliable, efficient and quieter. On brushless units, the brushes are replaced with an encoder and magnets. AC and DC units both have brushed or brushless options. A Universal servo motor can run AC or DC power and has brushes...
Sometimes you will come across two Allen Bradley servo motors which seem identical except for one feature: one motor is marked “shaft key” and the other is marked “smooth shaft”. This can be confusing if you are unfamiliar with the terminology. So what is a shaft key? A Shaft Key is a small element used in a joint to connect the motor more securely to a shaft, preventing the two elements from rotating relative to each other, and allowing torque transmission. The shaft key sits in a small slot cut in each shaft, which is called a keyway or keyseat. Usually the presence of a shaft key is designated in the Catalog Number by position 8 on the catalog number chart, as shown below. In the highlighted Position #8: “J” indicates the presence of a shaft key, “K” indicates a smooth shaft. A Shaft Key is a small element used in a joint to connect the motor more securely to a shaft, preventing the two elements from rotating relative to each other, and allowing torque transmission. The shaft key...
While Allen Bradley is most well-known for its Logix controllers, their PowerFlex drives have also been a large contributor to their growth in the automation market. Currently, the PowerFlex 520 and 750 series are the primary offerings for Allen Bradley drives but the PowerFlex 4/40/400 series is still supported by Rockwell and still is a great choice for certain applications. The PowerFlex 4 series is one of Allen Bradley’s low-cost, no-frills drive offerings, with the PowerFlex 4M drive being the primary offering in this group. With power ratings of up to 5HP in the PowerFlex 4 and 15HP in the 4M, these drives offer simple setup and control in a compact package with a low cost. The main features of this series are feed-through wiring on the 4M, volts per hertz control, and RS-485 communications (with others available through optional modules.) This drive series is a standard offering on most OEM delivered machines, based on the cost for performance. The feed through wiring...
The Kinetix family of Motion drives is broken up into several series, each with different focuses. The Kinetix 6000 and its descendant 6200 series are both multi-axis systems utilizing the SERCOS interface for control. Generational improvements in the 6200 series include advanced safety options and a more modular design. Beyond these generational improvements the 6000 and 6200 series are very similar, as the 6200 is designed as a straightforward replacement for 6000 series drives. The Kinetix 6000 series motion drive is a modular, multi-axis, compact servo drive system that reduces required wiring and programming. It’s rated for 1.2 through 22 kW power output, and two nominal voltages – 240VAC and 480VAC in 3 phase configurations. Built-in hardwired Safe Torque Off is available, giving a PLd, SIL3 certification. The feature that separates the 6000 series from its predecessors is the SERCOS communications protocol, a system utilizing fiber optic hardware and high-performance...
The Kinetix 300 and Kinetix 350 are both parts of Allen Bradley’s Kinetix Motion Control Family. Both components are motion drives, and they’re very similar in functionality, with some significant exceptions. Both the Kinetix 300 and Kinetix 350 are single axis motion drives. Both drives have been positioned as a low-cost solution for simple motion applications. Both drives accept either 120VAC, 240VAC, or 480VAC input power, and provide between 0.4 and 3.0 KW of output power. Both drives have a 2.0 – 12.0 amp continuous rated output current for all voltage ranges. Control is via Ethernet/IP with supplemental digital inputs. Both drives can run 240 volt motors at full speed using 120VAC input power. Basically, on the power side of the drives these drives are the same. Both drives utilize functional safety techniques, with Safe Torque Off functionality built in giving them a PLd or SIL2 rating. The differences on the control side for each drive are significant. Both the Kinetix 300 and...
The Allen Bradley PowerFlex 750 series is part of their Architecture Class of drives, higher feature drives for automation projects. They complement the Compact Class drives (PF4x, PF52x) through additional capabilities, although at a higher cost. When looking for a drive solution, these are the Allen Bradley drives to look at when you’re saying terms such as “torque control”, “coordinated drives”, or “almost a servo application”. Both the PowerFlex 753 and PowerFlex 755 drives are capable of torque control, speed control, permanent magnet motor control, and integrated safety (through option modules.) Capability-wise, these drives can compete with any other drives on the market, and their engineering aspects can provide some excellent benefits to the people installing and using them. There are some common features worth noting in the 750 family of drives. Integration into the Studio 5000 programming environment is made easier and more straightforward through use of Add-On Profiles...
Allen Bradley Powerflex 520 series drives are an innovative take on modular drive configuration. Common power structures and form factors allow for interchangeability between 3 versions of the 520 series drive, the 523, 525, and 527. Each version adds to the performance options available and allows for easy upgrading of drive systems and reduces maintenance and spares requirements. There are some common features among the 520 series drives. Common frame sizes, 0.5-30HP power ratings, 100-600V voltage ratings, local HMI’s for programming, and the ability to zero-stack and mount either vertically or horizontally are just some of the more prominent ones. The 523 series drive is the baseline drive of the 520 series. Available in voltage ranges from 100-600 volts and power ranges from 0.25-30HP, these drives include a local HMI and the ability to add EtherNet/IP capability through a dual-port accessory module, among other things. This is the baseline drive of the family, typically...
