Machinery is the driving force in any industry – be it manufacturing, retail, automotive, etc. With the advent of new technologies, humans have successfully found ways to make devices function at a much faster pace in a short span of time.
When we try deconstructing the structure of equipment, we realise that a motor is regulated by multiple instruments for smooth operation. Let’s learn about the role and features of a variable speed drive that contribute to efficient functioning of an equipment.
In layman terms, a variable speed drive is an automation component responsible for the regulation speed and rotational force of an electric motor. It makes sure that the motor current is delivered and cut off at the right intervals that prevents overload, overheating, and ensures that a task can be smoothly repeated within a given time.
The introduction of variable speed drives has revolutionised the face of mechanical movement-oriented processes such as material working, material handling, material packaging etc. A variable speed drive is not just a drive, it is a power conversion product. It carries the capacity to work at all the levels of an application system like mechanical, controlling, monitoring, conveyors, pump systems, cranes etc. Now let’s jump into some of its features:
- Functions As An Electrical Motor Control Solution
A drive carries the potential to control all types of electrical machines, be it internal permanent magnet motors, induction motors, or synchronous reluctance motors. A drive easily pulls off two functions simultaneously: it optimises the energy consumption levels and, at the same time, maximises the mechanical power capability. With the help of some manual settings like auto-tuning, the Electric Motor Control approach is completed.
- Functions As An Application Control Solution
It is essential to understand that a drive is primarily application-oriented. It has a flexible environment, and all the main responsibilities that it is supposed to fulfil is encrypted in main application functions. Advantageously, the application control functions deal with application processes’ variables such as diameter, distance, flow, pressure, distance etc. All of them can be regulated on an individual level by an R&D team.
- Functions As An Automation Safe Product
Owning to its capability for wired solutions, a drive is inherently competent for playing the role of a connectable low-level controller. Since it is conveniently insulated from the main power supply, it is branded as a reliable and certified device. It is not difficult to upgrade, configure, and program its firmware – it can be updated with external devices like computers, smartphones, controllers, or a keypad. Another striking feature of a variable speed drive is its ability to exchange data between drives in a seamless manner.
- Functions As A Mechanical Control Solution
The basic description of a motor is that it is a power converter. It successfully converts power from an electrical domain to a mechanical domain. A variable speed drive has all types of mechanical control principles to address torque, position, and speed. It takes care of all these dimensions through active and dynamic equations. The drive has mechanical controls to tackle flexible load, hybrid load, speed, and position needs. In multiple drive equipment architecture, a drive also carries the potential to share the torque realisation on mechanical pairing.
Variable speed drive is a key component in the operation of any motor-oriented machinery. In addition to the services that it provides, it also helps in reducing maintenance costs and shoots up linkage life. The installation of a variable speed drive must take place smoothly; to achieve that, you must seek expert guidance from skilled professionals who have in-depth knowledge about the electrical field and its way of functioning.
