Whether you are specifying a new conveying system or upgrading your existing material handling operation, Schneider Electric explains how Altivar Machine drives help.

As AC drive technology for conveyors advances, it presents new ways to address challenges for improving productivity, performance, connectivity, and security. Importantly, modern drives are smaller, so they will fit in most existing spaces.

Capitalise on space

If you need to centralise your VSDs in one or two high-density single control panels, book-style formats may be the answer. With widths of 46 and 60mm, book format drives mount side-by-side to save significant space on the installation footprint.
For distributed drives in small control panels, the compact format drives of 72 to 180 mm wide fit panel depths under 200 mm. They can mount on the conveyor or integrate into an existing machine’s control panel. These two form factors fit almost any application or machine layout.

Adapting to application needs

Choosing drives that handle open and closed loop controls from the outset provides benefits without a large cost. An open-loop control system acts on the input, and the output does not affect the control action. With closed-loop control, the drive uses the encoder feedback in its control algorithm. This allows it to understand what output to give the motor to run at the desired speed and torque.
What is more, Altivar Machine drives can also pair with three-phase synchronous motors, as well as asynchronous motors and reluctance motors. The latter are also shown to improve efficiency and save energy.

Keeping communications open

Staying up to date with today’s automation demands needs equipment that can communicate with lots of network topologies. Modern drives have a range of embedded standard protocols to accommodate conveying applications like Ethernet. For example, connecting with Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP, ProfiNet, EtherCAT, and Powerlink will increase their productivity and efficiency. If there is a need for legacy protocols like CANopen, PROFIBUS DP, and DeviceNet, connecting through option boards provides a simple solution.

Enhancing safety and security

Altivar machine drives include many features designed with worker safety in mind. For machine safety (EN/ISO 13849-1), they include embedded safe torque off as standard as well as optional safety modules. For example, safe stop category 1, safe stop category 2, safe operating stop, safe maximum speed, safe limited speed, guard door locking, safe direction, and safe brake control.

Altivar Machine drives contain lots of important system data, and connected systems need up-to-date cybersecurity. Schneider Electric provide drives certification to Achilles level 2 for embedded devices. This comprehensive certification specification enhances the security of industrial automation controls.

Getting the best from Altivar Machine drives

Dynamic conveying applications, like high-speed sorting need rapid acceleration or settling time and optimised speed up to 400 Hz. Some state-of-the-art drives also offer one-millisecond application cycle time for more dynamic performance.
The heavy-duty versions of these drives also have the capacity to handle high overloads up to 220 percent of nominal torque without compromising performance or safety. The performance improvements and better reliability outweigh any extra cost.

Simplifying systems

Modern AC drives can streamline and simplify conveyor systems by reducing the number of components with built-in functions. For instance, by using a VSDs on-board programmable logic functions to integrate it into a specific application.
You can also bypass other devices with options for rich interfaces, expanded I/Os, pulse train input/output control, and embedded encoders. These drives also support simple application functions like parent-child and positioning mode, among others. Another benefit is that they adapt and scale for a wide range of motor control.

Maintaining productivity

Advanced AC drives cut set-up times and reduce unplanned downtime by using a single plug-in connector for both power and control. Field device type technology ensures interoperability, and one-button motor identification auto-tuning cuts commissioning times.

Once online, AC drives can communicate maintenance information via a web server to cut unplanned downtime and reduce maintenance costs. In case of replacement, the drives permit the automated transfer of device configurations to recover production in under 15 minutes.

Looking for modern drives that can help meet the needs of your smart, high performing conveying systems? See the Altivar Machine drives ATV320 and ATV340 here