Motors & Drives Information

VERNON HILLS, Ill. -- Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc., a global supplier of automation products to all major industries, has introduced its A700 high-performance variable frequency drive (VFD) for controlling motors ranging from 1/2 to 600 horsepower. It will replace the company's highly successful A500 and A500L drives, which have been available since 1997.

The A700 is the first drive from Mitsubishi to feature a built-in programmable logic controller (PLC) and features many of the special technologies originally developed for Mitsubishi Electric servo drive products, such as adaptive auto-tuning which automatically compensates for changes in load inertia. The result is smoother operation, less downtime and ultimately, lower operating costs.

"The A700 is faster, smarter and more powerful than any standard VFD we've ever produced," said Chris Cusick, marketing manager for Mitsubishi Electric Automation. "And with its built-in programmable logic controller, users can customize the drive to their unique application."

Exceptionally versatile, the A700 achieves class-leading motor performance using encoder feedback to operate in "flux-vector" mode to generate torque at zero speed and allowing positioning control. With a speed response time of 300 radians per second -- 10 times faster than the A500 -- the A700 reacts quickly to sudden load changes with utmost efficiency.

Used without an encoder, the A700 uses the newly developed "Real Sensorless Vector" (RSV) algorithm to provide a 200:1 speed range. Its ability to control torque as well as speed makes it ideal for applications where constant tension must be maintained, such as wind/unwind control.

Communications to the A700 are supported with most popular protocols, including Profibus DP, CC-Link, DeviceNET, LonWorks, ControlNET, Modbus RTU, Metasys N2, EtherNET IP and Modbus TCP/IP, as well as Mitsubishi Electric's proprietary RS485 network. In addition, SSC Net III, Mitsubishi's high-performance, fiber-optic motion network is also supported, allowing the A700 to operate in conjunction with Mitsubishi Electric's new J3 servo drives and complete line of motion control products.

# posted by Medical Information : 4:11 AM