May 2019

n TECHNOLOGY ƐĚƌĂĚŶĂƚƐ hŽƚĚĞŶŐŝƐĞͻ hĞƌƵƚĐĂĨƵŶĂŵ ĞĐǁŽŶĞƌĂdͻ ϱϴϬϱ>hĚŶĂϭ-ϱϴϬϱ> ƐƌĞŵƌŽĨƐŶĂƌƚĚĞƚƐŝ>> ĚŶĂŶŐŝƐĞĚŽƚĚĞĮƟƌ Ϯ- Ĩ ƚƚůŝƵď-ŵŽƚƐƵͻ ŶƵŽƌĂŶƌƵƚƚƐĂ&ͻ ĚĞƌƵƚĐĂĨƵŶĂDͻ ŬϱŽƚ ϱϮͻ s s ƌŝƵƋĞƌĐĮŝĐĞƉƐƌƵŽǇŽ Ě <hĞŚƚŶŝ ŚƉϭ ƐƚŶĞŵĞ ƚĞůƉŵŽĐŶ/͘͘͘ ŝƵƋΘ dŶƌĞƚƐĂ ΛƐĞůĂƐ ϮϭϬ͗ǆĂ& ϮϭϬ͗ůĞd ƌĞǁŽƉĨŽůŽƌƚŶŽĐĞ Ěƚ>ƚŶĞŵƉ ƐƌĞŵƌŽƐŶĂƌ ŬƵ͘ŽĐ͘ĞƚĞ ϵϲϵϲϴϯϰϴ ϯϯϬϴϴϯϰϴ SCHAEFFLER AND BONFIGLIOLI are collaborating on a technology that combines vibration analysis and torque monitoring. At the recent Hannover Fair, they demonstrated the TorqueTracking technology being applied to geared motors used as yaw drives for wind turbines. They are developing a pilot project that will use the combined technology to monitor overloading of these drives, thus increasing maintenance intervals and allowing a change from fixed-interval to load-based maintenance. The TorqueTracking technology combines Schaeffler’s SmartCheck frequency-selective vibration diagnosis system with its non- contact TorqueSense torque-monitoring system. SmartCheck detects potential damage to bearings, gearboxes, motors, pumps and fans at an early stage and can assess peak loads and their frequencies. It also monitors temperatures. TorqueSense combines a magnetically conditioned sector of a shaft (up to 100mm in diameter) with a non-contact sensor that allows torques levels from 100Nm–20kNm to be measured externally. Using algorithms based on its real-world experience, Bonfiglioli is converting the data from the sensing systems to produce performance indicators for geared motors used in wind turbines. These indicators could reveal the general health of the motors, as well as detecting possible critical conditions and abnormal behaviour. Users should benefit from reduced downtime resulting from overloads or other unexpected operating conditions, as well as extended maintenance intervals. In the pilot project, load data from the SmartCheck system will be compared with predefined limit values and the results transmitted wirelessly to Bonfiglioli engineers via a gateway. The monitoring system for the geared motors will operate independently from the wind turbine’s control system, making it easy to retrofit when replacing the geared motors. The TorqueSense module will be located between the motor and gearbox and will able to operate in lubricating oil. It will not affect the load-carrying capacity or torsional rigidity of the machinery, and will deliver accuracies claimed to be within 1% of the measuring range, at an“attractive”price. Schaeffler and Bonfiglioli say that the TorqueTracking technology could have applications in other areas such as cranes, construction and mining machinery, and winches, where the torque signal could be used both for monitoring and for smooth, precise torque control of pull cables. Technology combines vibration analysis and torque monitoring in one system The TorqueTracking system offers automated, frequency-selective vibration analysis and monitoring of temperature, speed and torque values for condition monitoring. SIEMENS IS OFFERING a new servodrive system for extra-low- voltage (ELV) safety applications, which comprises a PDC (Profidrive Control) servo converter, used in conjunction with compatible motors and connecting cables. The Simatic Micro-Drive is designed for use with DC and electronically commutated motors from 24–48V and is suitable for applications such as precision positioning, AGVs, and shuttles used in storage and warehousing systems. The four-quadrant drives come in four sizes for motor outputs from 0.05–1kW. They have disconnectible brake choppers, enabling regenerative braking during battery operation. An built-in SLT (Safely Limited Torque) function limits torque by monitoring motor currents. There are two variants: the Simatic Micro-Drive F, which has the STO, SS1, SLT, SLS, and SSM safety functions; and the FIO variant, which offers SBC. The system’s motion control functions can be supplemented by additional controllers such as Simatic and Simotion. Easy connection to Simatic controllers helps to reduce the engineering workload, while integration into Siemens automation technology via TIA Portal simplifies commissioning and servicing. Operating data from the Micro-Drive can be sent to a controller and transferred to cloud platforms such as MindSphere over MindConnect. Siemens has partnerships with companies including Dunkermotoren, ebm-pabst, Harting and KnorrTec to supply motors and connecting cables for the new servodrive. www.siemens.co.uk Servodrives target protective extra-low voltage applications