Rockwell returns to the Drives & Controls Show

Published: 28 March, 2008

Rockwell Automation is returning to the Drives & Controls Show for the first time in many years. On its stand at the Birmingham NEC, the company will be highlighting its linear motion capabilities, as well as a new range of "compact machine solutions".

Rockwell will use the show to launch a new range of linear stages (shown below) that, it says, will offer machine-builders and other OEMs substantial time and cost savings in design, set-up and commissioning. The stages are designed to be used with Rockwell’s programming and mechanical modelling tools, and to integrate seamlessly with the other parts of a control system.

Rockwell stages

Other items on the Rockwell stand will include: servo controls and drives; gantry and multi-axis positioning systems; component-level linear motor products; rotary positioning stages; control platforms and networking products.

Other late bookings for the show include: the Midlands motor manufacturer, STS Motors, whose brands include Tuscan and EPE; the British Gear Association; the Somerset-based terminal and connector supplier, Echobeach; and the Turkish enclosure manufacturer, Tempa Pano.

Many of the exhibitors are using the exhibition to show products for the first time in the UK. For example, Gefran UK will be launching a range of AC inverters with field-oriented control spanning ratings from 0.75kW to 1.5MW. The SieiDrive ADV200 inverters can be configured for open- or closed-loop feedback as well as flux vector or V/f control.

Control Techniques will be showcasing a new family of servo-drives called Digitax ST which, it says, offer unprecedented connectivity, feedback options, functionality and intelligence.

The Drives & Controls show will be the first opportunity to see some of the new generation of permanent magnet motors now reaching the market. For instance, WEG will be demonstrating a combined PM motor and drive system which, it claims, delivers much higher efficiencies than standard squirrel-cage motors. And Leroy Somer will be showing its Dyneo PM technology, spanning ratings from 0.25–550kW.

Making its UK debut on the Motion Drives & Controls stand is a range of intelligent servo drives from the US manufacturer Quicksilver that combine the cost benefits of microstepping motors with the dynamic performance of closed-loop control.

Elsewhere, visitors will be able to see the latest developments in technologies such as mechanical power transmission, sensing, actuation, software, safety, communications and motor controls.

There have been a few minor changes to the programme of free seminars that will run throughout the show. The presentation on the impact of Ethernet on industrial communications by John Morse of IMS Research will now be given at 10.30am on Thursday 24th April, while Ian Morris from the BFPA will present his talk at 9.45am on the same day. For full details of the programme visit the Web site at www.drives08.com

º Although the Drives & Controls Show is almost full, there may be a few stands still available. If you are interested in exhibiting, please contact Doug Devlin immediately on 01922 644766.