Drives & Controls April 2022

n TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY n 20 April 2022 www.drivesncontrols.com ROCKWELL AUTOMATION has announced the first six-pulse drive that supports its TotalForce technology, which combines high-performance motor control, advanced self-monitoring and a digital platform to deliver faster, more precise and more responsive AC drives. The technology has been incorporated in the new PowerFlex 755TS drives which, Rockwell claims, will help to cut unplanned downtime and to get motors running faster. Previously TotalForce has been available only for Rockwell’s PowerFlex 755T drives with active front-end technology. It will now be suitable for a wider range of applications, including traditional fan, pump, and conveyor applications, as well as more advanced motor control processes that need high-performance functions typically found in specialised drives. Rockwell says the drive will bring a simpler, more consistent user experience to almost any motor control application in three main ways: n Flexible, high-performance control The drive’s power range, voltage classes and performance capabilities are suitable for a variety of motor control applications. One drive can be used for multiple applications, simplifying support and reducing burdens on staff. n Operational intelligence Built-in predictive models use continuous monitoring to calculate the expected remaining lives of drive components. This will help users to reduce unplanned downtime and maintenance costs by replacing components when needed, instead of on a fixed schedule. n Easier commissioning and optimisation Using a suite of “adaptive control” functions, the drives monitor machine characteristics that vary over time and compensate automatically for any changes. This helps users to commission drives quickly and maintain them for the life of the drive without needing tuning experts. It also helps to reduce mechanical wear and to increase uptime. “Significantly more industrial companies can experience the benefits of TotalForce technology now that it’s available in a traditional six-pulse drive,” says Rockwell product manager, Adam Davis. “No other drive on the market delivers the combined performance and intelligence capabilities of the PowerFlex 755TS drive, which helps to improve operational productivity and reduce burdens on the workforce.” The new drive is designed to ease migration from other PowerFlex 750 family drives. It is also a drop-in mechanical and electrical replacement for other PowerFlex 755 drives, having the same dimensions, mounting holes and wiring locations. It also uses the same slot-based architecture, allowing users to insert I/O and safety cards from other 750 drives. The drive is available with optional enhanced corrosive gas protection that helps to increase uptime and extend drive lives in corrosive gas environments. The drive is CIP-Security-capable, helping to protect control systems from cyberattacks by providing data authenticity, integrity and confidentiality. It helps to defend against attackers accessing a network remotely. www.rockwellautomation.com Six-pulse VSD brings smart functions to more applications THEGERMANLEVEL and pressure instrumentation specialist Vega has developed a radar-based level sensor that, it claims, can be used for almost any level-sensing application involving liquids or solids. Until now, choosing a radar-based level has been a laborious process, requiring application details, such as temperature and pressure ranges, to be matched to a wide choice of radar frequencies, antenna designs, parts numbers and options. Up to 15 parameters needed to be specified. Vega says that its new Vegapuls 6X sensor“thinks”in a newway and represents a new era in level sensing. In the future, the company predicts, users will no longer need to worry about level-sensing technologies, frequencies or instrument versions. Configuring the sensor starts with the application. An online tool helps users to specify and order the device. Set-up and commissioning efforts have been minimised, requiring just a few clicks and basic application parameters. In many cases, all application-specific settings can be made before the sensor leaves the factory. They can even pre-calibrated, avoiding the need for on-site adjustments. The user just installs and connects the device. The sensor also incorporates a new radar-chip technology, with expanded application possibilities and simpler operation. A self-diagnosis system detects any damage or interference, ensuring high availability and safety. The sensor is SIL-certified, and complies with the IEC 62443-4-2 cybersecurity security standard, which specifies strict requirements for secure communications and access control. www.vega.com/radar Rockwell Automation claims that its PowerFlex 755TS drive will bring smarter drives capabilities to more applications Single radar level sensor suits all applications