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Drive and positioning system

Andreas Mühlbauer,

Modular drive system for individual solutions

Electric motors usually only become application-specific drive or positioning systems in combination with other components, i.e. reduction gears, brakes, an encoder and the appropriate control electronics.

Modular drive concept: All individually selected drive components are accommodated in a common housing. © ebm-Papst

Modular systems in which everything needed for an application can be combined are the right approach here.

In order to always provide the right solution for the most diverse drive tasks, a large number of different drive variants are required. ebm-papst therefore offers a wide selection of motors, control electronics, gearboxes, brake and sensor modules that can be combined to create a customized drive within a short time. In principle, all ebm-papst motors with a diameter of 63 mm can be used as motor modules for the drive system. With rated torques of up to 880 mNm at 4,000 rpm and a motor efficiency of up to 90 %, the electronically commutated motors of the ECI 63 series set standards in terms of power density.

This makes them ideal as dynamic drives for conveyor and sorting systems, for example, but also as powerful yet sensitive adjustment drives in operating tables. Motor modules from the proven VDC and BCI series can also be integrated into the system housing. As all motors are operated with safety extra-low voltage, they are predestined for battery operation. The motor can be used directly without a voltage converter or inverter.

Various electronic modules and additional functions

Sophisticated connection technology guarantees very compact dimensions of the drive housing and seamless interlocking of the individual modules, so that protection class IP54 is met as standard, with IP65 even possible as an option. At the same time, the system is open for external extensions and electronic networking of all kinds. Should the drive run reliably at speed, master precise positioning or be ready for IoT, predictive maintenance and condition monitoring with integrated intelligence?

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The integrated K4 electronics can be operated with speed, torque and position control using analog or digital inputs and outputs. The K5 electronics, which can also be integrated as a module, allows the drive to be integrated into networks via standard bus interfaces. Numerous fixed and - similar to a PLC - freely programmable functions are also possible, so that the drives can execute program sequences independently of the higher-level control system. The K4 and K5 electronics will also be available with an STO function (Safe Torque Off) in future. In the event of a safety-relevant fault, the power supply is interrupted immediately and the drive is set torque-free in accordance with performance level d or SIL2.

If required, an external, certified safety sensor can be added behind the electronics. The use of a second gearbox on the B-side is also possible, e.g. for swing gates or loading ramps.

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