n TECHNOLOGY October 2025 www.drivesncontrols.com 16 KOLLMORGEN HAS ANNOUNCED a range of servo products designed to simplify high-performance motion control and make it more affordable for almost any axis. The pre-configured Kollmorgen Essentials system allows easy sizing and selection, while a choice of onboard communication protocols simplify integration with common controllers. The system is said to offer “unmatched ease of installation and commissioning,” and to ensure reliable performance across applications from packaging and warehouse automation, to materialhandling and forming. This is achieved while reducing engineering times and system costs. Every Kollmorgen Essentials motion system consists of a matched combination of a servodrive, servomotor with absolute multi-turn feedback, and a combined power/data cable. The drives support multiple protocol options, allowing users to choose between EtherCat, EtherNet/IP or Profinet. Synchronisation capabilities give designers precise control of multi-axis systems via a choice of CIP Sync, Profinet IRT or EtherCat. This flexibility gives users access to highperformance motion in their existing environments, without high system costs. It also simplifies ordering and inventory management for machine-builders, allowing them to support different communications protocols for customers around the world. Functional safety is provided via integrated dual-channel STO, SIL2/Cat 3 PLd capabilities. The compact drives are easy to install and commission using the Express Setup function built into Kollmorgen’s WorkBench software. Drive setup, configuration and tuning are said to be simple, even for engineers with little motion experience. A graphical configuration tool supports them throughout the commissioning process. The full suite of WorkBench tools is included for more advanced motion programming and tuning tasks. The servodrives are available for 120–240V or 240–480V AC supplies and can deliver continuous power up to 4kW, at 3, 6 or 12A. The matching Essentials servomotors are rated at 120, 240, 400 or 480V AC and are designed for applications from 200W to 4kW. Each delivers a rated speed of 3,000 rpm, with peaks of up to 6,000 rpm. An 24V DC brake is available as an option. Standard mountings reduce the need for inventory and improve flexibility. With a simple kit, users can adapt the shaft configuration to any type of coupling. The servomotors incorporate Kollmorgen’s SFD-M multi-turn absolute encoders, which provide a 24-bit singleturn resolution and 16-bit multi-turn resolution. A power-harvesting technology eliminates the need for batteries. The encoder retains absolute positioning information even when the system is powered down. Kollmorgen says that users can expect positioning performance comparable to Hiperface or EnDat feedback systems. The high-performance encoders cost no more than an equivalent motor with resolver feedback. The single-cable technology that combines power and data allows rapid installation, with just one cable to route, and just one connection at the drive and motor ends. It also enhances reliability with a strong immunity to electromagnetic noise and fewer connection errors. The cables are available in lengths up to 25m. The system is optionally available with regen resistors, line filters and spare drive-side connectors. It supports DC bus-sharing, which balances energy between the connected drives, helping to save energy, and a more constant DC link voltage for better control performance. “Kollmorgen has always been the motion leader for torque density, responsiveness and control in compact systems that offer the flexibility and features to suit practically any application,” says Chris Cooper, the company’s global director of product management. “We’re pleased to now offer all these advantages in complete, optimised systems that allow design engineers to more easily and affordably integrate Kollmorgen high-performance motion across all axes of their machines, with easy connectivity to their existing PLC environments. “The new Kollmorgen Essentials motion system is truly a game-changer for our business and the essential industries we serve.” www.kollmorgen.com ABB CLAIMS TO HAVE BROKEN its own world record for the energy efficiency of large synchronous electric motors with a new machine for a steel plant in India. The motor has achieved an efficiency of 99.13% during testing – a significant improvement over the previous record of 99.05%, set in 2017. The efficiency for synchronous motors of this type is typically 98.2–98.5%. The motor will drive an air separation unit that will liquify atmospheric air at the unnamed Indian plant, allowing oxygen and nitrogen to be separated out to provide pure gases for steelmaking. It is estimated that the steel plant will save an estimated 61GWh of energy and $5.9m in electricity costs through improved energy efficiency over the motor’s 25-year lifespan.The installation is expected to pay for itself in just over three months. ABB has designed the motor in line with its Top Industrial Efficiency (Tie) initiative, which delivers motors and generators designed to exceed standard benchmarks. They help users to cut electricity use, operating costs and TCO (total cost of ownership), without compromising performance or adding complexity. Record efficiency motor will pay for itself in three months ‘Game-changing’ servo systems simplify motion control and cut costs Kollmorgen’s Essentials motion system promises high-performance affordable precision motion for all industrial axes.
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