CONTROLS
productivity, reduce their environmental impact and improve their bottom line. Latest advances in VFD technology can help businesses address the specific challenges they face in their industries.” Advanced motor control algorithms, he
says, are key to unlocking the full potential of automation and optimising performance and efficiency. It holds true for applications from simple pumps and fans to complex conveyor systems and industrial machinery, as well as for hoists. Invertek recently launched its new Otipdrive VFD. It is, he says, the start of a new generation of VFDs entering the market. “By precisely controlling motor speed to match actual demand, Optidrive VFDs can reduce energy consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional motor control methods. This translates to lower operating costs, reduced carbon emissions and improved sustainability.” Features such as sensorless vector control and high-speed communication options make it suitable for complex automation systems and applications requiring rapid acceleration and deceleration. “Optidrive VFDs are designed with user- friendliness in mind,” says Welson. “The intuitive user interface simplifies setup and commissioning, reducing downtime and providing quick installation. This ease of use is complemented by a robust design that guarantees reliable operation even in harsh industrial environments, giving consistent performance and minimising maintenance. “Comprehensive communication options enable seamless integration with a wide range of automation systems and protocols. This allows for effortless connectivity and data exchange, facilitating streamlined operations and improved overall system efficiency.”
Magnetek have produced millions of VFDs.
The company is currently undergoing a
major expansion, including a new 2,750m2 facility to increase production capacity to over 1.5 million drives annually. It has been estimated that some 80 million electric motors operate globally without VFD control; the investment underscores the growing demand for VFDs across various industries. VFDs are central to the fully-fledged,
automatically controlled crane and crane system. The software needs VFD hardware. In that arena of cranes controlled and integrated into their surrounding operations, Siemens offers its SIMOCRANE technology. It is modular and scalable. The ‘starter kit’, if I may put it that way, is the Basic Technology
V5.0, a successor product to earlier versions with new software and better algorithms – it controls and optimises the motions of the different axes of the crane. It can be expanded with SIMOCRANE advanced technology modules, for example, Sway Control, Skew Control and Truck Positioning. This modular open architecture approach allows seamless integration of various hardware and software components to give flexibility and scalability. “By adopting an open architecture, operators can choose from a wide range of compatible devices and systems, simplifying the integration and ensuring adaptability for future upgrades,” says Siemens. It makes for a future- proof investment. Siemens’ Remote Control Operating
System takes it further. It relies on sensor and camera streams for applications – our earlier plywood plant might be one example – in which the cranes are integrated into the overall process, whereby the operator supervises multiple cranes, each of which works autonomously. Within the SIMOCRANE Technology Suite, an advanced Energy Management System using energy-efficient components and intelligent control algorithms minimises energy consumption and carbon footprints. Data on the usage, energy consumption, brake temperatures and wear and tear on trolley wheels gets sent back and forth, and is analysed by even more software to identify greater efficiencies. It has all come rather a long way from the man with the big control lever.
SIMOCRANE from Siemens can integrate and automate controls. 30 | May 2025 |
www.hoistmagazine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55
