Newton-meters Foot-pounds Inch-pounds Newton-meters Foot-pounds Inch-pounds Torque is a measure of the force which can make an object rotate about an axis. In linear kinematics, the force causes an object to accelerate linearly, similarly, torque is what causes an object to acquire an angular acceleration. It’s a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The direction of the torque vector depends on the direction of force acting on the rotational axis. In physics, torque is simply a twisting or a turning force. Different terminologies are used interchangeably to describe torque such as Moment or Moment of Force. We can say torque is a special case of Moment, as it relates to the rotational axis driving the rotation. On the other hand, for Moment to cause rotation, a driving external force is required. For any object to experiences torque, it must have a pivot point. If you have ever opened a door, then you have an intuitive understanding of torque. Torque is what...
Resistor 1 Ohms (Ω) Ohms (Ω) Resistor 2 Ohms (Ω) Ohms (Ω) Add Results Equivalent Resistance Resistance is defined as the measure of opposition to charge flow (current flow) in an electrical circuit. It is measured in ohms and symbolized by (Ω)-a Greek letter omega. Naturally, all materials oppose current flow to some extent, and they are classified as either conductors or insulators. Conductors are materials that have very little resistance to electrons flow, they include aluminum, silver, gold, copper, and many more. Insulators, on the other hand, are materials that present very high resistance to electrons flow; examples are rubber, plastic, wood, and glass. Basically, a resistor is an ohmic device that limits the flow of current in a circuit. Most electrical circuits consist of more than one resistor. The relationship between voltage, resistance, and current in an electrical circuit with resistors is given by Ohm’s Law. Ohm’s law is expressed as: I = V/R , where I is the circuit...
Generally, whenever we’re specifying the requirements of a given system or equipment, choosing a power supply is usually among the last bit of the puzzle. Like in a PLC system, you will often be keen about the processor capability, the memory size…etc, but rarely will you get excited when a more efficient and reliable power supply hits the market. However, the power supply is one piece of hardware that you should never skip out whenever you’re specifying the requirements of your system. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that your system is operating efficiently over the long run. Hence, it is important you do a little homework before you determine the power supply required by your system or equipment. Most often, the only feature taken into consideration when deciding on a power supply is its power rating. But there are many other factors which should be considered as well. In this article, we’ll be going over all the points that you should take into consideration when deciding on...
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...
In manufacturing, costs of production and speeds of finished goods to the market can make or break a company. Traditionally, an inventory of raw materials and of finished products was considered assets. Today, such inventories are considered dead investments or waste, which incur additional capital costs. To eliminate dead investment and optimize their productivity, many manufacturing industries are adopting the Just-In-Time (JIT) philosophy. Originally, JIT manufacturing referred to the production of goods in an effort to meet the exact customer demands with regards to quantity, quality, and delivery time; whether the customer required the final product or a part of it. But with time the meaning of JIT manufacturing has changed to the production of goods with minimum waste. In this case, “waste” is defined in terms of time, raw materials, and resources. Simply, Just-In-Time (JIT) production is a workflow methodology that focuses on reducing flow times for raw materials and products...
PowerFlex 755 20G11ND186JN0NNNNN PowerFlex 755 is a variable-frequency AC drive designed by Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation, for ease of integration, high motor control performance, advanced safety and application flexibility. This high-power drive (power rating of up to 1500kW) builds on the common user experience and application flexibility of PowerFlex 750-Series, providing heavy industries with an option for state-of -the-art power control. It is well suited for a wide variety of applications ranging from simple variable torque and variable speed control in demanding industrial systems that require constant torque control. Target applications for PowerFlex 755 AC drives include pumps, conveyors, fans, extruders, compressors and mixers control, as well as process control applications in tire and rubber, metals and mining, oil and gas, and refining industries. The PowerFlex 755 drives are configured with instructions embedded in Allen-Bradley CompactLogix Programmable Automation...
For industrial motion and motor integration, AC and DC drives have become the standard control device of choice. Historically, drives have usually been installed with low-cost point wiring back to a PLC, but modern industrial performance expectations push for network-connected devices in both new and existing systems alike. Connecting a drive to a communication network allows engineers to access all of its features, data, and performance capabilities remotely, in real-time. One well-known series of drives, the Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 520 Series, has an extremely large installation base in the United States and abroad, making it a perfect candidate for upgrading with network connectivity. In this article, we’ll explore communication option cards and their features for the PowerFlex 520 AC Drive Series. Allen-Bradley’s PowerFlex 520 Series of AC Drives spans three models, each designed with a specific application and feature set in mind. PowerFlex 523 PowerFlex 523 AC drives are ideal...
PowerFlex 755 and PowerFlex 753 drives belong to a family of AC drives designed and built by Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation. The PowerFlex 750 drive-Series provides an exceptional user experience and high performance from initial programming through the operation. They are used to enhance productivity and flexibility in a wide variety of industrial applications worldwide. PowerFlex 755 The PowerFlex 753 drive is built for general-purpose speed and torque control applications with up to 250kW/350Hp power requirements. This drive is available with built-in Input/Output modules, offering multiple features and options along with the additional benefit of simple integration. For instance, the embedded I/O module in an Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 753 drive consists of three option slots for communications, safety, 24 VDC (volts DC), feedback, or additional I/O cards. This makes the drive a flexible solution for system integrators and machine builders, who are looking to cut down engineering...
Calculate No Load RPM RPM Slip Full load RPM Stator Frequency Frequency (Hz) Number of Poles Slip (RPM) Actual Rated RPM Desired Synchronous RPM Results No-load RPM RPM RPM Slip RPM Full-load RPM RPM Full-load RPM Hz Allen Bradley MPM Servo Motors An electric motor is a device that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy. Electric motors are used in a variety of industrial applications, to provide mechanical energy to run power tools, fans, electric vehicles, etc. These motors operate on the basis of the electromagnetism principle, which states that: if a current-carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic field, it experiences a mechanical force caused by the attractive and repulsive forces created by the magnetic field. The magnitude of the mechanical force may be obtained as a product of the magnetic field, the current in the conductor, and the length of the coil in the motor. While the direction of motion of the conductor can be determined by Flemings left-hand rule...
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are rugged and lightweight computers used to automate industrial processes such as wastewater treatment plants, ore processing plants, and manufacturing plants assembly lines. They are designed to perform logical decisions for different electro-mechanical control applications and to operate reliably in harsh industrial environments like in extreme low or high temperatures, and dusty conditions. Also, PLCs are capable of automating an entire production line or a specific machine function, or a given process. All Programmable Logic Controllers consist of four basic components. These components include the Processor section, an Input/Output(I/O) section, a programming section, and the power supply. The power supply provides the appropriate voltages levels required to power on the PLC and its internal components. It accomplishes this by converting a line voltage, mainly 120V or 240V AC (Alternating Current), into the required DC (Direct Current)...
In designing industrial automation systems, half of the challenge is how you wish to control a system, and the other half is in how to connect the system’s components together. Specifying input, output, and communication methods can be a huge undertaking, as all other devices up- and downstream have to be both compatible with, and reliable when using, your selected technologies. To aid in your selection of PLC connectivity modules, we’ll start with this article discussing the differences between discrete output types – namely, the design, functionality, and comparative details between Relay and Solid-State Output modules. PLC CompactLogix Controller We’ll set the stage for our discussion by first outlining a number of key terms involved with discrete PLC output modules. Said in plain English, we have an industrial computer referred to as a PLC, or Process Logic Controller, that uses electrical signals to turn other, separate devices on and off. These separate devices might be pumps...
Generally, a FLEX I/O line is a Distributed Input/Output System that connects to several Networks including EtherNet/IP, ControlNet, and DeviceNet. Being a bus coupler, the Flex I/O allows you to add different modules consisting of bases and I/O cards along the DIN rail. In particular, Flex I/O systems are flexible and modular providing all the functions of vast, rack-based I/O at a low cost and without the space requirements. They are available via a variety of communication modules, depending on the protocol of the lead module. The FLEX 5000™ I/O is the most recent release of Allen-Bradley’s popular Flex I/O line. Its architecture offers a variety of I/O modules to meet a wide range of your operational needs, with its applications spanning from high-speed digital control to process control. These I/O modules are designed for use with the Logix 5000™ controllers. Their architecture uses Consumer/Producer network communication models, an intelligent data exchange technology between...
Have you ever wondered how forming and metal cutting machines provide precise motion for lathes, bending for metal fabrication and milling or how a robotic vehicle mainly used in military applications with bomb detection systems is controlled, or how antenna positioning systems control the precision in elevation and azimuth? Well, a servo motor is at the heart of these precise position and motion control systems. A servo motor is a compact electrical component, which rotates parts of a machine with great precision and high efficiency. Its output shaft can be moved to a particular position, velocity, and angle which is not possible with a regular motor. This is because the servo motor utilizes a regular motor which is coupled to a sensor for feedback. An encoder is used as the feedback sensor, providing position and speed feedback. It achieves this by observing the change of position, mechanical motion, rate, and signals to the controller. The encoder also receives control signals from...
The PowerFlex 750-Series is a comprehensive class of AC drives, with a power range of 0.75kW(1Hp) to 1500kw(2000Hp), and 400/480V to 600/690V availability. Some of the PowerFlex 750 drives include PowerFlex 753 and PowerFlex 755 drives. These AC drives are used to control the speed of electrical devices like electric motors, so as to: ensure efficient energy generation, enhance process control, reduce energy consumption, minimize mechanical stress on motors used in control systems and optimize various industrial operations. The latest PowerFlex 750-Series drives are designed to provide flexibility, ease of use, and high-speed performance. Generally, PowerFlex 750-Class drives have a wide range of industrial/global applications, but each type of PowerFlex 750 drive is limited to specific tasks. A) DeviceLogix™: An in-built control technology that supports PowerFlex drive control functions and manipulation of discrete outputs while using drive status information and discrete inputs...
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...