Drive controller
Drive controllers or drive controls (English: motion control) are usually electronic components that control an (electric) motor of a machine in such a way that the machine delivers the best possible performance.
This is only marginally about engine protection. It's also about much more than simply switching it on and off.
The machine should come to its final speed as quickly as possible (= approach ramp). Then it should work at this speed for as long as possible and slow down as late as possible, but in any case come to a stop in time (= down ramp).
The movement commands come from a process control system , a position controller or a PLC. The drive controller implements this command and reports execution, completion and / or faults. The drive controller automatically regulates any change in the machine load (autonomous). The motor is usually used for braking. The engine is used as a generator. In most cases, the braking energy is returned to the supply network. The regulators are designed in such a way that the network remains "clean".
Today's drive controllers support field bus systems such as CAN bus , Ethernet , EtherCAT , Ethernet Powerlink , Profinet , SERCOS III and the Interbus . In the past, the serial interface was the be-all and end-all. Today's market offers a wide variety of solutions for every possible user (from hobbyists to industry), which wasn't the case 10 years ago. This electronics can be purchased at very different price ranges depending on the brand (e.g. Siemens , miControl, Baumüller , Ferrocontrol, SEW-Eurodrive , Beckhoff Automation , B&R Industrial Automation , Panasonic ) and quality.
Possible example fields of application for the controls
- mechanical engineering
- Plant construction
- Decentralized systems
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Positioning systems like
- Cross tables , multi-axis systems or rotary tables