Product category:
Special purpose presses and equipment
News Release from: Fanuc GE CNC UK | Subject: 'energy charge' modules
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 01 January 2008
Energy buffer made for servo press
machines
An accumulator module smoothes out power consumption peaks on power presses that use high performance servo motors as ram drives.
High performance servo motors used as ram drives on power presses have a short-term, high energy requirement for the targeted acceleration, which can lead to voltage dips in the power supply To counteract this effect, Fanuc GE has developed 'energy charge' modules, which can buffer the energy and thus ensure a smooth energy consumption from the mains supply
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 27 Jul 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
GE Fanuc CNC to focus on communications technology
With Ethernet and TCP/IP becoming the front- running combination for globally-accepted computer networking, GE Fanuc believe that the time is right to focus on web-friendly products.
High CNC lathe reliability now comes at low cost
That GE Fanuc has released its Power Mate 0 control will be welcomed by lathe manufacturers wishing to have a simple and reliable CNC for their machines without suffering cost penalties.
* Large servo motors form part of the product range of Fanuc GE - these can provide power consumption peaks of up to 530kW and a maximum torque of 5500Nm.
For even higher powers, two or four motors can be used in tandem or synchronous mode.
They are suitable, amongst other things, for use in power presses where they offer useful advantages compared to conventional drives, as follows.
Further reading
CNC operator's panel gives machine design freedom
A new, easy-to-customise, machine tool operator's panel, suitable for use with Fanuc Series 16i, 18i and 21i CNC systems, has been developed by GE Fanuc.
AS-i converter made for I/O link from GE Fanuc
Several additional I/O links have become available for the Series 16i, 18i and 21i CNCs, which will benefit machine builders and users alike.
CNC choice ensures entry level success
Harrison says that a huge untapped market exists among conventional lathe users for a basic CNC model like the Alpha T equipped with the latest GE Fanuc Power Mate 'O' control.
* As servo motors can be directly controlled, the cycles can be programmed flexibly and precisely, usually resulting in a time saving and productivity increase.
* Mechanical power presses equipped with servo drives prevent damage to the tools, are cleaner and quieter than hydraulic drives, and are very flexible.
To keep the cycle times as short as possible, the ram must be quickly accelerated beyond the upper dead centre and decelerated again downwards during the 'press-free' time.
High energy is required for acceleration, which is released again during deceleration.
Companies using such machines and which do not have transformer sub-stations, might experience peak loads on the mains supply.
Such peak loading could cause a short-term power supply shortage for other power users in the plant.
To avoid peak loads affcting the overall poiwer supply, Fanuc GE has developed an 'energy charge' module.
The module is an energy accumulator, which can be integrated into the intermediate DC circuit between the power supply and servo amplifier.
This energy charge module absorbs the energy released during braking instead of allowing it to flow directly back into the mains.
It makes power available again to the servo motors for the acceleration process.
The motors only take the energy required beyond this from the mains.
The energy charge module consists of two parts, as follows.
* A control element, which detects alarms and exceptional situations and controls the energy absorption and release.
* Hand capacitors with a capacity of 50000microF.
Several modules can be connected to increase the capacity.
It is essential for the end-user to determine the optimal cost-benefit ratio and ensure that the energy charge modules are installed in the switch cabinets.
The energy charge module not only cuts voltage peaks drawn from the mains, it also helps to save power costs.
It does not change the energy requirements of servo power presses and press machines.
Without this module, energy released during braking would be conducted directly back into the mains, something which no electricity meter takes into account.
For acceleration, however, the full requirement has to be drawn from the mains.
* About Fanuc GE CNC - Fanuc GE CNC is a leading global supplier in factory automation.
These include products and solutions for the machine tool market based on a wide range of CNCs, motion control products, monitoring and control software products, CO2 lasers and services.
Fanuc GE CNC is a joint venture between GE and FANUC and the company's European headquarters are at Fanuc GE CNC Europe in Luxembourg. Request a free brochure from Fanuc GE CNC UK ...
• Fanuc GE CNC UK: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
