RADFORD, VA – May 10, 2011 – With its AKM™ servomotor series, Kollmorgen offers an extraordinarily energy-efficient solution which frequently pays off within one year, particularly in highly dynamic applications. The synchronous servomotors from Kollmorgen meet the highest efficiency class with IE4 in accordance with the new IEC 60034-30 standard. On average, they require 30% less energy than traditional asynchronous motors, yet they also score with their outstanding efficiency in comparison with conventional synchronous servomotors. The energy balance of the AKM improves even further when they are combined with Kollmorgen's versatile AKD™ servo drive - such a servo system allows the energy demand to be lowered by more than 40%, enabling savings of up to $1435 per axes, per year.
One of the reasons why AKM are so much more efficient than asynchronous motors is the use of integrated permanent magnets. Unlike non-synchronous solutions, this feature does not require any additional energy for building an electrical magnetic field. The significantly lower mass inertia of AKM solutions is also clearly noticeable in the consumption. Sometimes, it is ten times less than that for asynchronous models so that only one-tenth of the energy is required for acceleration. For applications with frequently changing speeds, some parameters can be improved by up to 50% compared with asynchronous solutions, as evidenced by an example from the machine tools industry: For a multi-spindle automatic lathe with 38 axes, the power input was reduced from 5.36 kW to 3.12 kW, while the heat output of the motors dropped from 2.7 kW to 1.3 kW.
Due to high power density, low mass inertia and low cogging, the AKM motors achieve an efficiency with which they can impressively differentiate themselves even from conventional synchronous servomotors. With identical output, they are 30 to 50% more compact and 10 to 30% lighter, which allows the building of smaller, lighter machines with improved heat dissipation, durability, and performance. Furthermore, eight different sizes with many winding variants and optional feedback systems are available. The overlapping of static torques and nominal speeds enables a fine graduation in terms of power consumption that results in a very accurate dimensioning. Motors that are over-dimensioned and are consuming unnecessarily high amounts of energy, and which are still widely used, can now be avoided.
If AKM motors are combined with the AKD™ servo amplifier from Kollmorgen, the energy efficiency of a drive solution can be increased further as evidenced by comparative test series. The reason is primarily improved control: Motor data stored in the AKD as well as control algorithms effect not only higher precision and productivity, but also a requirements-based energy demand. In addition, a DC bus coupling also allows energy from DC links that was buffered during braking to be regained. Such a DC link coupling is particularly effective if several drives are intelligently matched to each other. Additional savings can be realized by using a capacitance module offered by Kollmorgen. The module stores the energy of regenerative operating axes.
A calculation example shows which impressive cost savings are possible with highly efficient drive solutions: With 16 operating hours of a machine per day and 250 workdays per year, lowering the energy demand by 780 watt corresponds to energy savings of 3,120 kWh per annum. With a machine
life cycle of eight years, this corresponds to 24,960 kWh. With an average electricity rate of 15 cent per kWh, this amounts to saving s of $3744 per axes.
Asynchronous motors of the new efficiency class IE1 have recently moved to the center of attention of the EU due to their inefficiency. Starting 16 June 2011, they will no longer be allowed on the EU market in the power range from 0.75 kW to 375 kW. Udo Aull, President of Kollmorgen EU comments, "The subject of energy efficiency has become increasingly important over the last few years. Due to recent events at Fukushima, we now expect that people's sensitivity in this sector will increase even more - and thus also put pressure on the industry to invest in energy-saving technologies. With our solutions, we are already well prepared today for any such new demands."
ABOUT KOLLMORGEN
Kollmorgen is a leading provider of motion systems and components for machine builders around the globe, with over 70 years of motion control design and application expertise.
Through world-class knowledge in motion, industry-leading quality and deep expertise in linking and integrating standard and custom products, Kollmorgen delivers breakthrough solutions unmatched in performance, reliability and ease-of-use, giving machine builders an irrefutable marketplace advantage.
For more information visit www.kollmorgen.com, email support@kollmorgen.com or call 1-540-633-3545.