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Servo drives can halve cabinet space

02 April, 2010

Schneider Electric has launched a simplified range of book-style servodrives and matching motors that, it claims, will cut cabinet space requirements by up to 50%. The Lexium 32 range will be joined soon by a similar family of variable speed drives, called Altivar 32. Both new ranges will be on show at the Drives & Controls exhibition in June.

“By rationalising our range, we are making product selection much simpler, at the same time as offering a range of motion bundles that will suit a wide variety of applications,” explains Scheider’s Paul Pryor. “For the OEM, this new product series offers a number of benefits, including the capability to improve performance and productivity and reduce machine costs with in-built safety functions. There is also the added advantage of being able to offer best-in-class power density in small cabinets.”

There are three types of drive: the 32C (compact), for simple machines; the 32A (advanced), for motion-centric applications; and the 32M (modular), for PLC-centric applications. They offer a choice of configurable digital or analogue I/O, and interfaces including pulse train, a combined CANopen/CANmotion port, and access via communication cards to networks including DeviceNet, EtherNet/IP and Profibus DPV1. A safe torque-off function, which complies with IEC/EN 61508 SIL2 and IEC/EN 61800-1, prevents unintended restarting of servomotors.

The two synchronous three-phase servomotor ranges – called BMH and BSH – span power ratings from 0.15–7kW. They have SinCos Hiperface encoder interfaces and are available with or without brakes.

The Lexium 32 servo drives integrate with Schneider’s SoMachine automation tool for efficient machine engineering. They can be mounted side-by-side and use colour-coded plug-in connectors to make installation, set-up and maintenance easier. Optimised motor control reduces vibration, while automatic parameter calculation and band-stop filters combine to boost machine productivity.