When selecting variable speed drives and motors for potentially explosive atmospheres, the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations must be followed, otherwise explosion protection measures will be compromised. ABB’s Luciano Santos and Andrew Bould share some advice. Throughout the food and beverage sector, variable speed drives (VSDs) and electric motors are renowned for contributing to productivity improvement … Continue reading →
Inverters rectify ac to dc then chop it up again with transistors to provide a variable frequency, variable voltage pseudo ac to create a variable speed motor from a fixed speed ac motor. This chopping takes place many times a second from around 1kHz to 16kHz. This is the switching frequency. At lower switching frequencies, … Continue reading →
The use of high pressure washdowns to clean equipment is standard practice in many food and beverage facilities. However, when it comes to electric motors, this can present challenges. ABB’s Luciano Santos looks at what is needed to maintain hygiene without compromising on productivity or reliability. Food production and hygiene are inseparable and handling equipment, … Continue reading →
Constant torque application benefits from SynRM technology Up to 15 percent lower energy use, a significant reduction in motor maintenance costs and a drop in audible noise are achieved with the installation of an ABB synchronous reluctance motor and drive (SynRM) package on a twin extruder application. Radius Systems’ plant in Derbyshire, UK, houses 14 … Continue reading →
Rob Wood, UK Sales Manager – LV Motors, ABB Limited, says: The world is facing a serious energy challenge. Demand for electricity will grow faster than for any other form of final energy. Pressures to reduce energy consumption and lower carbon dioxide emissions come from everywhere. One of the simplest ways to address this challenge … Continue reading →
Thirty years ago, DC motors were the workhorse of industry when variable speed was required. These were found in many applications including mine winders, extrusion applications and the steel industry. However, they needed a maintenance schedule including regular brush changes and carbon removal from the windings. Every so often, a major overhaul was required in … Continue reading →
ABB provides motors and drive for revolutionary machine that will automate the demining process, making it faster and safer. ABB has supplied motors and a variable speed drive (VSD) for a revolutionary anti-personnel landmine clearance rig. The machine, which is the outcome of five years of R&D by MMD (Mining Machinery Developments), was donated to … Continue reading →
ABB Ability™ Digital Powertrains monitoring services provide advanced analytics and maintenance planning to ensure the efficient operation of powertrain equipment, including drives, motors, bearings and pumps. A suite of digital solutions including devices, software and services is the centrepiece of ABB’s stand, PC41, at the International Quarrying and Recycling show, Hillhead Quarry, Buxton, UK, 26-28 … Continue reading →
Dave Hawley, General Manager – Motors, ABB Limited, writes: There is a lot of debate about whether it is better to repair or replace a failed pump motor. A far better option is to ensure it doesn’t fail in the first place. In theory, a motor could run for as long as 50 years, substantially … Continue reading →
