Two existing drives products that have been proven in many applications,
have now been combined to create a powerful integrated drive and motion
control system that considerably extends their applications base
ABB Automation's ACS 600 standard ac drives are currently being fitted
with Quin Systems’ machine control software, Programmable Transmission
Software (PTS). Outwardly, the ACS 600 will look no different, as the
Quin card slots easily into the drive, needing no additional mounting,
protection or connecting. But the move provides an additional enhancement
to the ACS 600's performance, which already benefits from an advanced
motor control platform called Direct Torque Control. The result is that
both the ACS 600 and Quin Systems’ own servo drives can, between them,
tackle more demanding applications in packaging, paper, converting,
textiles, printing, general automation and similar web applications where
tension control is vital. In practice, PTS provides the ACS 600 with a
motion language that has taken some 60 man years to develop, and which is
already in use throughout the world.
The technical alliance between Quin and ABB will result in both companies
sharing the benefit of a much wider market. Motion control within the
drive world has so far been seen as a fairly low priority. However, with
modern machinery utilising motion control to a far greater extent than
even two years ago, it has now risen to high priority. In addition, the
requirement for managing modular/process lines requires a distributed
control philosophy which requires a network designed for high speed
synchronising of multiple drives. To achieve this, Quin's second piece of
technology comes into play - ServoNet.
The art of effective networking
Being ServoNet ready, the system is equipped for instant linkage to the
modular network for distributed control. Using ServoNet takes advantage
of the computing power within each drive to ensure that a system works in
a fully integrated fashion. The ServoNet machine manager performs all
programming and diagnostics and distributes control instruction to the
individual controllers. These can then act individually or broadcast
information as appropriate, for the best possible network usage. This
brings all the Quin Systems benefits to a large networked system, while
adding in the machine manager benefits of additional communications
options, including DeviceNet, Profibus and Ethernet.
The flexibility of ServoNet - handling any permutation of ac servo, ac
induction, hydraulics and other servo systems, linear motors and more -
delivers a single point of system contact. This means that, regardless of
network size or scope, full communications and diagnostics are available
remotely.
ABB
Quin