How to quickly design and deploy IIoT-ready machines
with motors from 22 to 90 kW (25 to 100 hp). It has a Modbus serial communication port with an RJ45 connector. Optional communication cards are available for Profibus, PROFINET, Modbus TCP/EtherNet/IP, and CANopen.
looking at how Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Machine Expert software speeds development, configuring, and commissioning of IIoT ready machines. Motion is a basic characteristic of industrial machines. It is implemented in various ways, from simple motion profiles in systems like pumps, conveyors, and cranes to complex motion profiles in process and assembly operations and robotics. Machines with simple motion profiles can benefit from the features found in soft starters like the Altistart soft starter family. Altistart soft starters support the following: ■ Controlled acceleration that reduces mechanical shocks that can increase wear and tear and lead to increased maintenance needs and machine downtime
the ATS01 series soft starters. Activating the BOOST logic input enables the application of a voltage boost equal to 100% of the nominal motor voltage for 200 milliseconds (ms) to overcome initial mechanical friction in the system. The programmed voltage ramp-up begins following the boost. The model ATS01N232RT is for soft starting and stopping three- phase asynchronous motors up to 15 kilowatts (kW) (20 horsepower (hp)) with acceleration and deceleration times from 1 to 10 seconds. It’s optimized for simple belt-driven applications like pumps, compressors, and fans operating from 440 V AC to 480 V AC . Controls are on the front panel to set the start time, initial voltage, and stop time for installation and commissioning. Designers of more demanding process and infrastructure machines like mixers, crushers, and conveyors can turn to the Altivar ATS480 series of soft starters. While simpler soft starters employ voltage ramps, the ATS480 soft starters use a softer torque ramp and can implement a braking function. The model ATS480C11Y operates with voltages from 208 V AC to 690 V AC (Figure 1). Depending on motor voltage, it can be used
Figure 1: This Altivar Soft Starter is designed for use with asynchronous motors from 22 to 90 kW. (Image source: DigiKey)
■ Limiting inrush currents to reduce energy use
■ Protecting motors from power surges that can happen during startup, improving motor lifetimes ■ Higher reliability by detecting faults such as a blocked motor, underload, or incorrect earthing and sending an alert to machine operators Basic machines that don’t need high starting torque can turn to
Driving more advanced machines Complex motion profiles in advanced machines can be
supported using variable frequency drives (VFDs) like the Altivar 320 family with units rated from 0.18 to 15 kW (0.25 to 20 hp) for applications like material handling, packaging,
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