THE NEW RANGE OF SIMPLESERVO DRIVES IS BOTH SIMPLE AND ECONOMIC
12 September 2004 - Lenze Limited

SimpleServo is aimed at the growing market for high-speed machinery with decentralised drives, for example packaging, pick and place, and semiconductor handling machinery. Dynamic performance is available in torque, velocity or electronic gearbox modes with peak currents of 300% nominal for up to 2 seconds. High-speed bus communications for precise control are possible through Ethernet or CANopen, and resolver or encoder feedback is possible. Yet the dimensions of SimpleServo are small, with the largest 12 amp drive being only 115 wide, 190 high and 190 deep. Programming is easy using free MotionView software with BASIC type commands.

The PositionServo version of SimpleServo adds the ability to program precise motion profiles and avoids the need for a separate PLC or motion controller. Ratings and dimensions are the same, and compared to SimpleServo, the PositionServo models have extra I/O. Low cost combines with high performance as PositionServo has 64 bit processing and reaction times as short as 2 microseconds.

All SimpleServo models feature the unique EPM memory chip, which gives easy programming. This chip plugs by hand into the front of the drive and holds all the parameter setting. It can be copied or programmed through a hand-held and battery powered programming unit. Actual time taken to copy a chip is less than 3 seconds. The new chip can then be plugged into a drive even without powering it up, and the drive is then ready to go.

Extra features available with SimpleServo and PositionServo include pre-configured power and communication cables to speed build times. Matching synchronous motors can be supplied with IP54 or IP65 enclosure. The requirement for technical support on these easy to use products is minimal, but telephone and on-site advice is available.

The new SimpleServo and PositionServo ranges combine value, compact dimensions and ease of use. They are easy to program and easy to handle with the unique EPM memory chip. With 64 bit processing and high-speed bus options, the dynamic performance is particularly high.

In the latest Harry Potter film, the Prisoner of Azkaban, there is a scene when it becomes apparent that the dangerous prisoner, Sirius Black, has penetrated the walls of Hogwarts. The fat lady doorkeeper has been frightened into hiding, and it's the job of a vast Gothic door to keep all the students safe that night. You see the 70ft high door's latches lock themselves in sequence at 14 different levels.

Hogwarts School of wizardy may be accredited for the special effects seen in the Harry Potter films, but in reality it's the School of Engineering which makes the magic. The Warner Bros. Special Effects Team activated the 14 locking mechanisms using linear actuators from Lenze to push in and out and rotate the locks automatically. The reason that Warner Bros. chose Lenze on this occasion was because of tight delivery requirements. This was crucial as the design of the door had to be completed within a few weeks of shooting of this scene at the end of last year. Lenze can offer delivery ex-stock of standard actuators and three weeks for other items from the Italian manufacturer Servomech.

Fourteen small ATL 02 Servomech dc linear actuators were used for this application. With a speed range of 9-47 mm/s and standard stroke of 10m from open to closed position, these were suited to the miniature 1/3 scale size door mock-up.

All models of this actuator range, suited to forces up to 4000N and duty cycles up to 15%, are offered with four output speeds and four strokes. The output speed varies according to the applied load. Servomech dc actuators are equally happy to deliver push or pull forces, and rod and fixing and mounting bracket to make integration into machine designs easy. Actuators in this light duty range are available with 12 and 24V dc motors. Easy control of the stroke can be achieved by adding limit switches which fix to the outer tube and are adjustable with LED indication.

The Servomech range of linear actuators from Lenze also covers larger and faster models with dc, ac and servo motors. Highest forces are up to 80kN and medium sized actuators can achieve linear speeds to 290mm/s with 100% duty cycle. Strokes are supplied to customer specification, usually in the range 100 to 1500mm.

http://www.lenze.co.uk

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