It has been a long time coming, but if attention to detail and
awareness of customer needs are key pointers to success, then surely
Control Techniques must have a winner in its new Unidrive SP. Les Hunt
reviews the first major Unidrive development to come out of Newtown in
seven years
SP FEATURES AT A GLANCE
? EMC compatibility: internal filter meets IEC 61800-3 standard.
? 'Secure Disable': BIA certified, high-integrity safety feature meets
EN954-1 Category 3 - eliminates requirement for a contactor.
? Dual rating strategy: Normal duty - 110% overload; heavy duty - 150%
overload (175% for four-pole motor) in open loop, 175% closed loop (200%
for four-pole motor).
? Feedback devices: provision for 14 different types, including
quadrature/pulse, SinCos, EnDat, Hiperface and SSI absolute encoders -
all selected via software.
? Power supply: 200-690Vac 50/60Hz. A 48Vdc supply is provided for
battery-backed emergency lift operation.
? Fieldbus: fieldbus-to-fieldbus gateways; multiple fieldbus options;
CT-Net connectivity for drive synchronisation.
? PLC functionality: internal IEC 61131-3 compliant softPLC. Can replace
a PLC or reduce load on existing PLC installation.
? Smartcard: standard feature for simplified start-up, security back-up
and cloning of multi-drive installations.
? Cable management: novel system ensures all cables routed from same
direction to avoid bending.
It is hard to believe that seven years have passed since Unidrive was
launched in a blaze of glory at what - from dim memory - was only the
second Drives & Controls show to be staged at Telford.
This month sees the launch of its long awaited successor. More than three
years in the making, Unidrive SP (the 'SP' standing for 'Solutions
Platform') is the result of a highly detailed and protracted market
research project, the results of which have been incorporated within the
design of the new product. It may share the name of its predecessor, but
Unidrive SP has new features that set it apart. According to Control
Techniques' product and market analysis manager, Mike Nakulski, the SP
product was designed from the ground up, with 'lowest cost of ownership'
issues very much to the fore.
The key 'universal drive' aspect of Unidrive has been retained, says Mr
Nakulski, But thanks to SP's modular design and the plug-and-play
capabilities of smartcard technology, the new drive can be precisely
configured to the needs of the application. Not only have we made it easy
to install and commission, but we have also considerably de-skilled the
maintenance requirement once the drive is in operation.
Tailoring the drive to an application is the province of the SM
co-processor modules, a range of 'clip-in' units, which provide the
levels of processing power and functionality required by the application
- no more and no less. This scaleable option ensures that the OEM does
not pay for sophisticated features that are unlikely ever to be used in
his application. Modules are available for encoder or resolver feedback,
extended I/O, PLC functionality and fieldbus connection, and up to three
SM applications modules can be clipped into the SM chassis.
Fully software compatible with the existing Unidrive range, Unidrive SP
is initially launched in three power ranges covering 0.75 to 30kW, with
higher power ranges expected to come to market during the course of 2003.
See the panel opposite for a quick rundown of Unidrive SP's other key
features.