The Control Techniques servo drive and motor

A linear generator test rig for cutting edge research into wave generation has been set up in the EnergyLINK Laboratory at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) in Northumberland. Designed by a team at Durham University’s Dept. Of Engineering, who were given a free hand to produce a rig simulating the chaotic and random motions of sea swells, the rig gives insights into the real world problems of wave generation. In a competition to find the best solution to random wave movement, there were various variable speed drive and hydraulic proposals. The Control Techniques servo drive and motor coupled to a ballscrew gave the best combination of cost, dynamic response, flexibility in use and programmability, and the possibility of feedback between the linear generator and the common dc bus in the laboratory. The complete turnkey motion control solution was engineered by systems integrator Altec Engineering, of Durham, using a Control Techniques 22kW Unidrive SP ac drive, fitted with plug-in modules for connectivity to Ethernet and Devicenet, and coupled to a 15kW servo motor and spindle. The rig gives a 1:10 scale representation of a real wave generator, with the servo system producing around 20kN on the flange and giving 2m/sec. linear acceleration or speed, which can be exceeded for short periods. Feedback to the motor is via a 4096ppr encoder and the speed profile is transmitted from the controlling PC to the drive via Ethernet. “We set out with a substantial shopping list of technical requirements when it came to choosing the most appropriate drive system for the rig,” said the University’s Head of Engineering, Professor Peter Tavner. “We were aware that Control Techniques is specified for the whole of the NaREC site, but we were given a free hand in choosing the drive system that suited us best — and it was very clearly Control Techniques.” Unidrive SP is configurable into five operating modes, connects to most industry standard networks and accepts 14 position feedback protocols.

« Back to the Control Techniques Ltd page