Motors & Drives Information

Chorus Motors plc (CHOMF), will be demonstrating its new Chorus(R) Meshcon(tm) design at the Drives and Controls 2003 exhibition at Birmingham NEC, United Kingdom, June 3rd-5th 2003. The company says the new Chorus Meshcon design can reduce power silicon costs by up to 70%, creating an attractive profit opportunity for motor and drives companies.

Power silicon, the bulk of the control electronics used to control variable frequency electric motors, is often the dominant component cost for a motor/drive system used for start-stop or traction applications. By reducing this cost by as much as 70%, motor/drive manufacturers can capture much larger margins, making this business highly profitable.

"Chorus Meshcon's expected reduction in drive cost of over 60% in a highly commoditized market will allow licensed motor and drive manufacturers to offer a quality product while restoring or enhancing their profit margins," says Isaiah W. Cox, President of Chorus Motors plc.

Demonstration units can be ordered from next week at 1.5hp, 20hp and 200hp sizes.

Mr. Cox says, "Chorus Meshcon gives customers the best of both worlds. They can use a substantially smaller, lighter and cheaper motor and drive for the same high start-up torque, without sacrificing high speed operation."

Cox adds, "We are not asking companies to take our word for it; they can come and look at the demo in action, and if they like, they can purchase some units which they can test in their own labs. Chorus Meshcon is a fantastic advance, and we welcome critical evaluations."

Chorus Meshcon will be exhibited at stand C100 during the show, with live demonstrations of a small 1.5hp motor run head-to-head with an identically-sized motor using conventional technology. The demo is designed to show Chorus Meshcon's clear advantages over conventional, and more expensive, 3-phase AC induction drives.

About Chorus Motors

Chorus Motors plc (CHOMF, CUSIP No: X1305M 10 5) has 6,044,289 shares outstanding as of 31 March 2003. Chorus Motors plc is a majority owned subsidiary of Borealis Exploration Limited (BOREF).

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Haul truck capacity breaks through 300.ton mark; are 400-, 450, or even 500-ton trucks just around the corner?

"Too much is never enough" is a phrase that fits the rigid frame mine haul truck market. Over the last 30 years, haul truck size has grown remarkably and as the trucks have grown, the development time between each new generation of giants has shortened.

The newest vehicles, haul trucks in the 320- to 360-ton capacity range, are clearly the new benchmark, which begs the question: are 400-, 450- or even 500-ton monsters around the corner?

While no manufacturer appears willing to go that far, most agree that, based on past experience, it is plausible that such trucks may eventually be seen rumbling around mine sites, given some advances in the technology of tires, engines and drivetrains.

"Manufacturers cannot build larger capacity trucks just for the sake of building a larger truck," said Glen Carlson, senior product specialist at Komatsu Mining Systems. "The end goal is always a higher efficiency more economical truck."

The beginning of the dramatic growth spurt in haul trucks began in the mid-1960s. Prior to that, mechanical drive trucks were the standard and they grew appreciably from 27 to 35 tons in the 1950s to 60 to 70 tons by the end of the decade.

But in the '60s came d.c. diesel electric drives, a technology borrowed from locomotive markets, and truck size, which grew incrementally before then, began to advance in leaps and bounds, from 85 tons to 200 tons and more by the end of the 1970s. By the mid-1980s, 240-ton haul trucks were the standard. Mechanical drive configurations also grew, mirroring their electric drive counterparts.

As early as 1973 Terex developed a three-axle, 350-ton hauler, but the drivetrain and tire technology didn't allow it to operate effectively and economically, rendering it an interesting aberration.

Until 1996, that is, when Komatsu Mining Systems introduced the Haulpak 930E, a 320-ton a.c. electric drive truck. More recently, Liebherr has introduced its T282, 360-ton diesel a.c. electric truck (see story elsewhere in this issue). In addition Caterpillar has unveiled its latest entry in to the haul truck market, the mechanical drive 797 haul truck, which has a rated capacity of 360 tons and later this year, Terex Mining Systems will introduce a 340-ton truck, the MT5500.

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A quick scan of the want ads in any manufacturing town usually reveals a number of openings for Bridgeport operators. Think Bridgeport and think knee mills, right?

Not exactly, says the company. Yes, the company is a leader in manufacturing standard milling machines, but it also provides a line of vertical machining centers (VMCs) characterized by digitally driven motors and drives for high-speed contouring of a variety of parts.

Introduced in March, the company's new XP series of VMCs is designed using finite-element analysis techniques to maximize structural strength. FEA shows how the VMC performs under the impacting cutter loads and structural stiffness of each component, revealing how the machine tool builder can use lighter components so the user gets faster acceleration and deceleration without unacceptable forces.

Each machine features hardened and ground tool steel ways matted to the rigid cast-iron frame in the X, Y, and Z axes. Slideway surfaces are coated with Turcite and hand-scraped for good retention of lubricating oil, essential for long life. Cast-iron frame castings meet international standards for providing effective vibration-dampening characteristics, in addition to excellent mechanical and thermal stability. The Bridgeport line of VMCs is a best-seller in England, where it is manufactured in an ISO 9001-certified production plant in Leicester.

On the controls side, the Bridgeport-enhanced Fanuc control brings a digital dimension to running data through the machine. Bridgeport's FastOP software simplifies setup routines, often compressing multiple functions into a single keystroke. A more flexible PCMCIA (personal computer memory card) slot adds the potential for unlimited memory along with high-speed DNC drip feed. Complex production programs such as those used for moldmaking can be run without data starvation. And high-speed machining software (advanced integrated contour control) is standard.

Patented technology on the Bridgeport line of VMCs includes a dynamic thermal-compensation strip. Attached to the spindle head, this thermistor strip interfaces directly with the CNC, and dynamically updates machine axes in response to real-time monitoring and feedback of temperature data.

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Chorus Motors plc (CHOMF) announces that a patent, titled "PWM Motor Drive Apparatus with Increase of Low Speed Capabilities" No. 6,614,202, was issued by the US Patent Office on September 2nd 2003.

The patent refers to an inverter/drive combination that provides increased overload capacity at low speeds. In particular, the inverter can be supplied with a range of harmonic waveforms to increase the output capabilities of the inverter.

The extra voltage this represents can be used in different ways. It can be used to increase the speed of the rotor shaft. By winding the motor with an additional number of series turns, the motor can translate the additional voltage into extra torque at low speeds. Alternatively, by synthesizing the inverter voltage waveform, increased current output can be obtained when the drive forms part of a generator system.

Instead of getting more power or speed or current - depending on the chosen arrangement - the extra voltage can be traded for cost savings by using a smaller inverter for the same job as would normally require a larger conventional inverter. Drive costs, and especially the cost of power electronics in the inverter, can be reduced by 60% for traction and start-stop motor applications without any loss in performance over motors of comparable size. Any application requiring high start-up torque without compromising high speed operation, such as materials handling, locomotives, and starter-alternators, benefits from this technology.

"With Chorus(R) Meshcon, electric motor technology is making the next leap forward," said Stuart Harbron, Chorus Motor plc's Chief Patent Officer. "Modern techniques allow us to configure electrical power to suit the specific needs of today's industrial, automotive, and aerospace applications. Chorus Meshcon is the ideal partner for forward-looking designers seeking to break out of the straitjacket of traditional motor design and make full use of the power that has always been available -- and to do it all with much healthier profit margins."

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Electric motors are the prime movers for most machine tool functions. They are made in a variety of types to serve three general machine tool needs: spindle power, slide drives, and auxiliary power. Most of them use 3-phase ac power supplied at 220 or 460 V.

THE BASICS

All electric motors use the principle that like magnetic poles repel and unlike poles attract. Current through a coil or permanent magnets creates magnetic fields. Motors deliver toque by shifting the magnetic fields within the motor so the rotor is constantly drawn around.

Initially, all motors used direct current (dc). This current creates magnetic fields in the stator and rotor, then mechanically energizing and de-energizing stator coils cause a moving field that draws the rotor around. With alternating current (ac) motors, the current itself switches in polarity from positive to negative. Sending ac to the stator coils creates fields that draw the rotor around.

For most machine tool applications, versions of the ac asynchronous motor are used for spindle drives, while slide drives are generally synchronous.

A LITTLE HISTORY

The design problem through the years with machine tools and motors has been how to get high torque at a variety of speeds. Initially, mechanical transmissions consisting of ears, belts, and gear/belt combinations gave speed changing capability. Up to 36 speed ranges were common at one time. But all this extra hardware is costly and needs maintenance. In the last decade, as speed requirements have risen the inaccuracy caused by vibration, which was not a problem at lower speeds, made the complex mechanical transmission unacceptable for some applications. Machine tool builders still use mechanical transmission for many applications but, because of more versatile motor speed control, three-speed transmissions are more common.

For today's operation, consider a spindle speed of 3600 rpm as low, with high speed generally 10,000 rpm and greater. Some spindles, such as small-diameter grinding quills, operate at 200,000 rpm. At the same time, motor design and control technology have progressed dramatically. In early motors, it was difficult to alter the power variables so motors could respond to a variety of operating conditions. Now, thanks to computer technology, it's possible to quickly modify motor speed and torque.

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With efficiency regulations only a year away, understanding the forces behind motors and drives leads to proper selection and peak performance.

Motors and drives are present in virtually all processing, packaging and material handling equipment. However, most food manufacturers take them for granted. They expect a machine, conveyor, fan, compressor or oven to run when they turn the switch.

Motors do more than just run machines. In fact, motors account for between 60 and 80% of an operation's energy costs. Improving their efficiency and reliability will significantly benefit the bottom line.

Innovations in design, materials and control are taking motor system efficiencies to new ratings. Understanding motor and drive compatibility, proper size and type selection, and even an appreciation of performance all can help prevent downtime and reduce utility costs. Moreover, regulations will further dictate motor efficiency ratings.

Motor designs and drive combinations are as numerous as applications. Induction, inverter, washdown and other types meet specific purposes and environments. Where and how the motors and drives are used determines the necessary horsepower, revolutions per minute (RPM), torque and other special features. Other selection factors include: motor size relative to the load it will carry, frequency of starts and stops, wet vs. dry environments, and the corrosive nature of the product or its vapors.

WASHDOWN PROTECTION

For years food companies protected their motor systems during cleanup and sanitation with plastic bags, splash guards, seals...or nothing. None of these options, however, properly protect motors from water or internal and external corrosion and rust.

Internally, rust or other corrosives can plug drainage holes, preventing air circulation and destroying internal components. Externally, paint or rust can flake off onto conveyors, floors or products. The obvious answer is to install washdown-duty motors.

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Adexa, Inc., a leading provider of integrated supply chain planning and performance management solutions, today announced that Avision Inc., a global manufacturer of high performance scanners and multi-function digital office equipment, has chosen Adexa's Enterprise Global Planning System (eGPS) for plant planning. The solution will be implemented at Avision's product assembly facility in Hsinchu, Taiwan.

"Global demand for Avision products has increased over the past few years, and to ensure the highest levels of factory performance, customer satisfaction and profitability, we chose to implement Adexa eGPS," said Avision's President, Thomas Sheng. IT Manager Edward Yu added: "eGPS delivers advanced material substitution capabilities, which gives us assembly line flexibility and unprecedented time and cost savings. This benefits our customers by proactively eliminating material constraints that could cause part shortages and production delays, and it benefits our business by optimizing inventory levels and capacity utilization."

"Avision is committed to a program of continuous engineering innovation to enhance its product lines and drive global demand," said Cyrus Hadavi, Adexa's president and CEO. "Adexa eGPS drives continuous improvement in the accuracy of enterprise planning and execution, and Adexa is a scalable asset, which means eGPS will optimize Avision's factory performance today and in the future."

About Avision Inc.

Founded in April 1991 by a group of engineers with strong engineering expertise, Avision designs, manufactures, and markets a complete range of quality, high performance scanners and key components for multi-function products. Through innovative product development, strategic partnerships and successful business models, Avision has become a leading supplier in the scanner industry.

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ATLANTA & DETROIT -- Inovis, a leading provider of business-to-business integration solutions, today announced that more than 2,500 customers in the automotive industry rely on Inovis' vertical-specific solutions to drive supply chain and e-business efficiencies. The cornerstone of Inovis' offerings for automotive companies include support for Electronic Business XML (ebXML), an open e-business standard gaining increased adoption in the automotive industry, as well as specialized compliance kits tailored to support the proprietary standards that many automotive manufacturers require.

Inovis is demonstrating its suite of business commerce automation solutions tailored for the automotive industry this week, Aug. 31-Sept. 2, at Auto-Tech, a gathering of the premier OEM, supplier and vendor companies dedicated to achieving business success through collaboration.

"Maintaining a robust and comprehensive business commerce infrastructure is essential in order to conduct business electronically and remain competitive as a supplier to Visteon & Ford," said Scott McCullough, director of information technology, Michigan Spring & Stamping Company. "Inovis enables us to cost-effectively leverage current investments in e-business communications and connectivity, while supporting the wide range of emerging standards and technologies necessary to keep pace with the evolving requirements of our trading partner network."

The automotive industry has made significant strides streamlining business-to-business communications to simplify operations and drive down costs across the automotive supply chain. Major automotive manufacturers like Honda and DaimlerChrysler have developed their own Internet-based proprietary data formats for e-business documents, replacing or coexisting with traditional Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards for data transformation and value-added networks (VANs) for connectivity. Open e-business standards like ebXML are gaining acceptance through the backing of industry leaders like General Motors.

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SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine -- Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE:FCS) today announced that Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology (TSST) chose Fairchild's 7-channel motor driver IC for its high end DVD-RW product. With its extremely low output on-resistance (spindle 0.8 ohms at 0.5A, sled 2.0 ohms at 0.25A), this monolithic IC based on DMOS transistor technology significantly reduces heat generation, which is an important consideration in DVD-RW designs where thermal management is an ongoing challenge. In tests conducted using a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor running at 10,000 rpm with 3.3V, the temperature of Fairchild's FAN8741 was over 20 degrees Celsius lower than competitive products. The FAN8741's built-in thermal shutdown (TSD) and rugged power packaging extends reliability in high-speed optical media applications. This 7-channel motor driver IC eliminates the need for additional components and therefore lowers overall design costs.

"The versatility and reliability of the FAN8741 make it ideal for use in TSST's new DVD-RW product, the TS-H552, which is capable of writing up to 16X on a DVD+R disc," commented IS Hwang, president of TSST Korea. "In this rapidly evolving optical disc drive market, TSST must respond quickly to changing demands. Fairchild's superior engineering support, volume production and quality of service allow us to deliver value to the market in a timely fashion."

Outstanding features of the FAN8741 include 180 degree commutation, a built-in channel mute function, and eight independent voltage sources under conditions of 3.3V or 5V DSP. Its built-in 7-channel driver can simultaneously operate:

--3-phase BLDC spindle motor drivers with PWM,

--2-channel motor drivers with PWM for sled motors, and

--4-channel linear drivers that drive the focus actuator, tracking actuator, tilt actuator and loading motor.

HK Kim, Fairchild's director of The Power Conversion Team, commented, "The FAN8741 offers designers of high-speed optical disk media applications a motor driver IC alternative, based on DMOS transistor technology, with extremely low on-resistance. This technology results in significantly less heat generation and as a one chip solution can extend the product lifetime while lowering total design costs."

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Advanced Workflow Allows Users to Define, Automate and Execute

Business Processes in Sales, Marketing and Customer Service areas

Entellium , a provider of hosted sales, customer service and marketing automation products, today announced second generation hosted-CRM that delivers the first enterprise-level workflow to the mid and SMB market (and departments within an enterprise). With it, non-technical business users for the first time can easily define their business processes in terms of work queues, routing, electronic forms, business rules, collaborative tasking, workload thresholds and distribution, as well as alerts and notifications, which are then executed by entellium's embedded workflow process engine.

It also measures processes as they execute, providing the information necessary to understand how each element of a business process is performing, and how it could be improved.

According to Entellium, workflow-enabled CRM products that require engineers to implement or program their workflow system, or those that are added later via 3rd-party integration are less robust and present a backward step for customers. In a second generation hosted-CRM environment, it is the business user who is able to configure the workflow simply using a web based point and click interface.

Put simply, second generation hosted CRM is CRM with true workflow built-in to the heart of the application, but importantly is designed to be managed by business managers and not specialist engineers.

Paul Johnston, chief executive officer at Entellium said: "Workflow must reside at the heart of a hosted-CRM solution. The Workflow engine should automate business processes through which documents, information or tasks are passed from one participant to another according to the business rules you set for your company and ensure that the correct sequences of steps are followed."

Entellium creates a workflow "process within a process," by first mapping business processes to define all of the manual and automatic internal processes of your company, i.e., setting your business rules according to the requirements of your sales or customer service departments.

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North American manufacturers of variable speed drives (VSDs) have to contend with a shrinking client base. This is because original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) -- the core customers of the VSD market -- are shifting production to newly industrialized countries.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (http://www.industrialautomation.frost.com), North American Variable Speed Drives Markets, reveals that this market generated revenue of $1.54 billion in 2004. Total market revenue expects to reach $1.73 billion in 2010.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides manufacturers, end-users and other industry participants an overview of the latest analysis of the North American Variable Speed Drives Markets, then send an e-mail to Melina Gonzalez - with the following information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number, fax number and e-mail. Upon receipt of the above information, an overview will be sent to you via e-mail.

Emerging nations' benefits of improved productivity and lower manufacturing costs encourage OEMs to establish foreign subsidiaries and factories. Even while fostering greater global penetration, this move is depleting the North American end-user market.

"The OEMs seek component sources closer to the countries where their facilities are located and this reduces demand for variable speed drives in the domestic market," says Frost & Sullivan Industry Analyst Liliya Navarrete.

Due to the transfer of activities Several North American drives, plants have either shut down or restructured to produce smaller volumes. To retain business, manufacturers have to develop strategies to meet customers' overall needs -- both locally and internationally.

Cost reduction is one way of staying competitive in the mature VSD market, especially since features and capabilities provide little advantage as differentiating factors. Intense competition between manufacturers is fermenting price wars, making the products more affordable and encouraging adoption.

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Automakers currently face the dilemma of how to give customers the increased in-car functionality they demand without creating a corresponding rise in driver distraction. One answer is to better utilize the sense of touch. BMW has done is with its controversial new iDrive system, but will other follow?

Whenever it debuts a new car, BMW usually receives plaudits, not brickbats. But when it recently unveiled its new flagship 7-Series it faced a chorus of criticism about certain aspects of the vehicle, ranging from the exterior styling to the instruction cards included for parking valets so they could learn the complex maneuver of, ah, parking it. But the area that was singled out for the most derision was the iDrive user interface that consolidates control over 700 functions in one large knob. Ironically, the iDrive system has drawn criticism for being too complicated though its chief premise is simplification.

Two major areas are placed under iDrive's control: a driving zone, which centers on functions like steering and shifting, and a comfort zone. The comfort zone includes the navigation system, the telephone book for the on-board phone, audio equipment settings, customized climate control, and more. To use iDrive, the driver (or passenger) manipulates a large silver knob (the "controller") located atop the center console in order to navigate and select functions displayed on a screen in the center of the instrument panel.

TOUCH CONTROL

Key to the functionality is tactile feedback, which is said to allow people to gather information through the sense of touch, while simultaneously allowing them to focus on other tasks-like keeping their eyes on the road. It provides complex sensations that let practiced users tunnel through multiple menus without looking at the display. For example, when scrolling down a phone list the knob will emit a tactile "bump" whenever a name is passed to give the operator a sense of speed and location.

To help develop the tactile feedback aspect of iDrive, BMW turned to Immersion Corp. (San Jose, CA), a small Silicon Valley company that previously worked primarily on enhancing the feel of gaming joysticks and computer mice. Immersion developed the software that assigns unique sensations through the control knob to corresponding images on the system's monitor. It also designed the control unit and oversaw prototype production. (Mass production is being handled by Alps Electric.)

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The Hilliard Corporation and Chorus Motors plc (OTC: CHOMF) are pleased to announce an agreement to jointly develop and sell electric starters and starter-generators for gas turbines.

The Hilliard Corporation is the dominant manufacturer and supplier of motor clutches, turbine interfaces and starter systems for industrial gas turbines.

Chorus Motors plc designs and manufactures high-phase-order AC induction motors and drives suitable for use as starters and starter-generators for gas turbines.

Under the terms of the agreement, Chorus Motors plc will supply clutchless electric drive systems to Hilliard, while Hilliard will take the primary role in quality control, packaging, certification, customer interfaces, maintenance and overhaul. Initially, the agreement is limited to a subset of the market; it can be expanded by mutual consent to include the entire industrial and marine gas turbine and large reciprocating engine markets.

Jon Williams, Vice President of The Hilliard Corporation, said: "Hilliard is pleased to be working with Chorus Motors in offering electric start systems for gas turbines. Chorus Motors brings a leading technology well suited for gas turbine starting applications. The addition of further electric starter capability enhances our offering over Hilliard's traditional gas and hydraulic start systems."

Isaiah Cox, President of Chorus Motors plc, said: "We are delighted to be working with Hilliard on these applications. Our Chorus® Meshcon(TM) system is an ideal solution for gas turbine engines. And Hilliard, with its vast experience in serving gas turbine manufacturers and end-users, is the perfect partner to ensure that the unique requirements of this marketplace are met fully."

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New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (www.industrialautomation.frost.com), North American Linear Motors Markets, reveals that revenue in this industry totaled $71.4 million in 2004 and is projected to reach $86.4 million in 2010.

"The high price of motors is partially due to the low volumes sold compared to many industrial products such as conventional rotary motors," state Frost & Sullivan Industry Analysts.

Since shipments of linear motors remain relatively low, every single sale matters. This leads manufacturers to compete fiercely for building demand and winning orders. Until linear motors have proved their advantages in a wider variety of applications, the high cost is likely to remain a key restraint.

However, several domestic and foreign competitors in the market are striving to find ways to not only reduce prices, but also diversify and provide integrated solutions.

Despite the economic challenges plaguing the market from 2000 through the first half of 2003, linear motor customers are keen to use technologically evolved products that are anticipated to help them achieve better efficiency and productivity. Therefore, there is great demand for next-generation motors that are introduced approximately every four years, generating faster replacement rates.

A new customer base is emerging in the form of end users of machine tools, quality control machines, and other machines. As linear motors offer the advantages of speed and precision, they are swiftly replacing ball screws, belts, and other traditional systems.

The challenge for motor manufacturers is to engineer less expensive, more efficient drives that increase product value. They also need to offer quality service to meet the long-term needs of customers. Designing products with smaller physical dimensions is also expected to increase the demand for new applications.

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VERNON HILLS, Ill. -- Mitsubishi Electric Automation Inc., a global supplier of automation products to all major industries, has introduced its F700 series of variable frequency drives (VFDs) that can control motors ranging from one to 800 horsepower. The F700 inverter features the latest version of Mitsubishi Electric's proprietary energy optimization software that boosts motor efficiency to new levels and maximizes energy savings.

"This new drive is suitable for virtually any general purpose application that involves a motor, whether it's on the shop floor, air-handling unit or machine room," said Chris Cusick, marketing manager for Mitsubishi Electric Automation. "The unprecedented range of the F700 makes it one of the most versatile VFDs on the market. Available for either 200V or 400V supplies, from 1-800HP, each VFD can control up to 4 pump or fan motors, resulting in significantly shorter payback times and reductions in maintenance costs in energy saving."

The F700 is a totally new design from Mitsubishi Electric, and features a new power module and hardware. Its NEMA 1 structure allows for safe, secure installations, whether in a panel or as a stand-alone module. Ease-of-programming is also a key benefit made possible by a jog dial that provides fast access to any of its 400 parameters. The F700 also incorporates an Optimum Excitation Control system that maximizes motor efficiency under all load conditions, and can even track and display energy and dollar savings in real time. Robust protective features help ensure that the drive will keep running despite fluctuations or interruptions in power.

The F700 VFD includes these new features:

--NEMA 1 enclosure designs: The drive can be mounted as a stand-alone unit where required.

--Ease-of-Programming: No more tedious scrolling to access parameters thanks to the new DU07 programming dial and FR-Configurator programming software.

--Windmill Start: The F700 measures residual motor slot ripple to determine both the rotation speed and direction of a coasting motor, and can swiftly and smoothly bring it under control when required, whichever way it's spinning.

--Enhanced Energy Savings: An improved version of Mitsubishi Electric's famous energy optimization software boosts motor efficiency by up to 12% over earlier generations, and intelligently maximizes energy savings.

--Energy Saving Signal: The F700 can calculate and display energy savings, either in dollars or kW/h.

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Mountain View, Calif.--1997 will be the year in which digital signal processors (DSPs) push microcontrollers and other discrete devices into the background as the semiconductor platform of choice for emerging and traditional embedded markets--including motor control applications and disk drives, according to industry observers involved in both segments.

As the pace of integration of peripherals onto DSPs picks up steam, DSPs will play a vital role in combination wireless devices, digital versatile disc (DVD) and set-top box markets as well as in the development of the Internet.

In addition, where once DSPs were confined almost exclusively to the telecommunications and wireless markets, in 1997 there will be no limits. DSPs will be integrated into systems that were once reserved almost exclusively for microcontrollers including automotive applications, vending machines, electric meters, washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers, disk drives and many other consumer products that demand fast time-to-market with digital functionality--areas where DSPs in the past have had limited or no presence at all.

"DSPs are going to be in everything. They are becoming the new microcontroller," asserted Edgar A. Sack, chairman and CEO for Zilog. For several years, Mr. Sack has been predicting that DSPs will be the platform of choice for a host of emerging systems applications--an interesting stance for the leader of the company that, although heavily involved in DSPs today, also invented the ubiquitous Z8 microcontroller architecture.

"When we think back and see 8-bit microcontrollers in everything, I see the same thing happening for DSPs. Five years ago when it was talked about to engineers, they were scared of the technology. Now they shrug their shoulders and go right to the design. I really think it is going to be the (key) part of 1,000 applications."

Mr. Sack said he sees DSPs in WebTVs, web browsers for TVs, bit-map graphics, process video and audio as well as appliances. The automotive and wave table markets--normally areas heavily dominated by microcontrollers--will be areas where DSPs will proliferate in 1997.

"I would imagine we will see more architectures for the DSP than we do in the microcontroller industry," commented Mr. Sack. "I don't see every DSP vendor using the same standard DSP for every function. It will be more of a horses-for-courses kind of a thing."

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