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As a machine builder, you rely on your motor controls for a vast array of functions — from maintaining system voltage when you turn on a machine, to speed and torque control, and even scheduling maintenance. All of these processes and more start with, and depend on, the motor.
Fortunately, innovations in drives, motor controls, and load management are now designed with your end user’s processes in mind.
Benefits include:
- Ease of use: These new products make it easier to manage reference selections, set power ranges and voltage, simplify troubleshooting with a QR code, and secure remote access.
- Connectivity: They operate in a single environment via ethernet for meaningful data collection, real-time data monitoring, and machine learning. The integration into machine learning analytics not only identifies potential failures, it also helps operators make troubleshooting decisions based on performance data.
- Embedded intelligence: The additional embedded software application functions can help you design and maintain sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective machines.
You can use these new automation capabilities as selling points for your end users, such as intelligent motor controls, load management systems, and variable-frequency drives (VFDs) that are easy to integrate and easily scalable into third-party systems. But before you invest in these new solutions, you want to be sure they support multiple types of fieldbuses to allow for flexible connectivity. You’ll also want to verify there is a robust connection/communication between the motor and the automation systems to minimize motor failures.
In this blog, we’ll walk through how you and your customers can benefit from these innovations.
New VFDs increase flexibility for end users
The latest VFDs are smarter and help you design and maintain sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective machines. The embedded intelligent functions can be supported by a single reference. The drives include high short-circuit current ratings (SCCRs), and a more compact design. For the end user, they’re more flexible and support more demanding industrial applications. These new VFDs are also easier to install and help reduce system costs. In addition, features such as QR codes and secure remote access make them easier to use.
The drives are easy to integrate into your automation system, which is a great selling point for your end users. For example, with a web server embedded in your drive, you can trace the service log file to monitor the status and see how a failure may have occurred. It also allows you to leverage connectivity solutions that permit access from operations and engineering stations.
The dynamic response in these advanced drives is up to 40% better than traditional control methods. This can help your end user:
- Reach a steady state faster, regardless of the load
- Optimize performance for applications, such as material handling or material processes that require faster response
- Make machines more adaptable within manufacturing process
- Improve torque performance at high speed
- Widen the speed/torque operating range to optimize machines without additional investment, and bring more options to end users
The latest innovations in VFDs deliver meaningful data around motor and power components for actionable results.
Intelligent load management easily integrates into IIoT platforms
Being able to lever data to increase machine efficiency is a key selling point for end users. The latest digital load management solutions cover all phases of product and application life cycle: design, engineering, commissioning, operation, and maintenance. They also integrate into IIoT platforms, which prevents downtime and supports predictive maintenance. The connectivity also allows data from asynchronous motors to be incorporated into the drive systems.
The most innovative digital load management systems can now more effectively monitor applications such as a pump, conveyor, or elevator. They can be easily configured to alert if a motor goes outside of its normal operation range. The technology is similar to a check engine light in your car. Previously, a system would not tell the operator anything when an overload tripped. And even then, it would be up to a technician to diagnose why it happened.
The most current load management systems also feature configuration tools to simplify programming by using tested and validated function blocks and libraries. These configuration tools can integrate into third-party systems, and help generate a bill of materials, saving time for your end users.
Intelligent load management includes:
- A catalog of avatars that act like a digital twin on top of the physical device to facilitate integration
- Bus coupler connections to avoid interruptions in power supply
- Built-in web servers to aid real-time monitoring
- Cybersecurity elements that allow user-specific layers of access
With smart load management, you can add revenue streams by selling monitoring and maintenance services to your end users.
Build better machines for your end users with smart motor management
To give your end users what they want, seek out a solutions provider with innovative digital load management, starters, and drives with advanced algorithms to control electric motors and connected applications.
Applying smart technology to motor management helps you build machines that integrate with automation systems and leverage the potential of IIoT. It helps you meet the increasing demands of end users who are looking for motor management with adaptive control options and the ability to streamline what it takes to achieve optimal operations.
See how the right partner can provide you with more intelligent VFDs, motor controls, and load management to help you build better machines.
