Control Techniques, Emerson Industrial Automation launched the Commander SK general purpose drive range in 2005 and it has been so well received by its target market that it has tripled the company’s market share in the largest drives sector. It is not only customers who hold this drive in high regard as it has won several awards including the Design Business Association’s Design Effectiveness Award and Industrial Product Design of the Year.

Control Techniques are keen to build on this success and have now added an extra frame size in the middle of the Commander SK AC drives range; the new frame Size D drive is approximately 30% smaller than its predecessor and offers ratings from 200V, 1 phase at 3kW up to 400V, 3 phase at 7.5 kW.

“We believe it is the most compact 7.5 kW drive available worldwide” states Enrique Viseras, Product Manager, General Purpose Drives “it has a market leading footprint of 110mm x 295mm, this has been achieved by in-depth research and development and the use of innovative materials!” Across the complete Commander SK family, the footprint and volume of each drive is up to one third smaller than the competition, offering excellent power to size ratios.

The range has been designed to meet the needs of the majority of drives users by covering 0.25 to 132 kW and spanning 100V, 200V, 400V, 575V and 690V. The drives are easy-to-fit, set up and use. Connectivity to all major fieldbus networks enable integration with other automation equipment and Ethernet/internet communications allow global drive access. Never has a drive been so well connected.

Installation is straightforward, with a choice of DIN-rail or simple panel mounting and clearly marked terminals make connecting the drive very easy. The most commonly used parameters are detailed on the front of the drive to simplify the configuration to get the drive up and running within moments.

Size is frequently a key issue both with OEMs and end users. Compact drives allow designers to reduce the cubicle space required resulting in more compact machines for OEM’s and allowing greater potential for retrofit applications for end users such as in energy saving applications.

Commander SK offers automatic, no-spin autotune for optimal performance, open loop vector control, speed or torque control and adjustable switching frequency for quiet motor operation. What’s more, it has PID control, both linear and S-type acceleration and deceleration ramps, DC injection braking and onboard EMC filter and gives excellent energy savings with dynamic motor flux control.

The list of options is extensive; remote keypads, SmartStick for cloning drive parameters, LogicStick for memory storage for PLC programmes, serial and USB cables for PC connection and a suite of free PC software tools, for advanced drive programming. And that’s not all, Commander SK is an economical drive with PLC functionality, giving the option to replace a nano or micro PLC, or to replace relays and timers.

About Control Techniques

Control Techniques, an Emerson Industrial Automation company, is a world leader in the design, production and marketing of electronic variable speed drives for the control of electric motors. Our strategy is to concentrate on delivering drives and servo products that enhance the productivity of our customers machines and processes.
We operate through a global network of Drive Centres and Application Centres that both distribute product and add value by building our drive products into custom designed systems and by offering the highest levels of customer service.
Our Control Techniques Drive Centres also provide us with invaluable feedback and market intelligence so that we can further improve our products and service. This customer focused strategy will enable us to continue to grow profitably.

Our competitive edge is based on our unique focus on drives, our strength in research and development, our investment low-cost manufacturing and an effective worldwide marketing strategy.

For the best in drives information visit our website: www.controltechniques.com

About Emerson

Emerson is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2006 were $20.1 billion. For more information, visit www.GoToEmerson.com

Courtesy of Control Techniques