Servo-amplifier range for ten to 500watt DC motors

Citation

(2001), "Servo-amplifier range for ten to 500watt DC motors", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 73 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2001.12773ead.002

Servo-amplifier range for ten to 500watt DC motors

Servo-amplifier range for ten to 500watt DC motorsKeywords: maxon motor, Motors

maxon motor has announced details of a new series of analogue DC servo-amplifiers for the control of permanent magnet DC motors (see Plate 2).

Powerful pulse width modulated, ADS servo-amplifiers are available in a standard version for motors from ten up to 250watts and in a power version for motors from 80 up to 500watts.

These ultra-compact servo-amplifiers control the operation of the fast-reacting motors and keep predetermined shaft speeds exceptionally stable.

Plate 2 New analogue DC servo-amplifier for the control of permanent magnet DC motors from maxon motor

ADS servo-amplifiers can be installed either in the standard Eurocard format for 19in. subrack and plug-in card systems, or using the modular design in a robust metal housing with different mounting options.

Both designs use the very latest technology and an efficiency rating of up to 95 per cent is said to be often achieved – thanks to MOSFET power transistors in the servo-amplifiers.

A simple dip-switch operation allows different modes of operation, selectable by:

• •

  lxR compensation;

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  DC tacho control;

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  digital encoder control; and

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  current control.

ADS servo-amplifiers are stated to be protected against over-current, thermal overload and short-circuiting. And because of the wide input power supply range – some 12-50VDC – they are considered highly versatile and can be used with a number of different power supplies. Unrestricted four-quadrant operation reportedly gives precise control during acceleration and braking in both directions. Performance ranges from as little as 10watts up to around 500watts.

The servo-amplifiers of the ADS series, which control the maxon motor range, may use the most sophisticated technology but are believed to be extremely user friendly. Installation is said to be quick and easy thanks to the controller circuit design.

The company's motors, equipped with high performance permanent magnets, are said to have become synonymous with reliability following their success with the NASA Mars missions. Two years ago, "Sojourner", the remote-controlled "car" that traversed the Martian surface, was driven by 11 small DC motors from maxon motor. As a result, the company's motors have now been chosen to drive the tunnelling "mole" that will be an integral part of the Beagle 2 mission to Mars in a couple of years' time.

Further details are available from: maxon motor uk ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1189 733337; Fax: +44 (0)1189 737472; Web site: www.maxonmotor.co.uk