Motion Solutions brought into focus

What use are the best motor and the best converter when they are not capable of delivering their full power together? At the 30th edition of the SPS in Nuremberg, the direction in which drive and automation technology is leading was made clear once again. The future belongs to coherently designed, ready-to-install subsystems. "We need good components which deliver top performance in perfect harmony with each other in a drive technology combination," is how Jan Treede, CEO of Kollmorgen Europe GmbH, summarizes his company's strategy.

"Fast forward to the future" – under this message stood Kollmorgen's exhibition stand at the 30th SPS in Nuremberg. Over the three days at the stand, the Ratingen-based company placed servo motors, servo drives and motion control within the context of application, which primarily highlighted the benefit of subsystems. Increasingly important components in this regard are the functional safety integrated in the drive controller and the secure communication with Fail Safe over EtherCAT (FSoE). Trade fair visitors paid particular attention to the SLS (Safely Limited Speed) solution.

In terms of motors, Kollmorgen brought the AKM2G along to Nuremberg. Compared to the first AKM generation, the second generation of synchronous servo motors delivers noticeably more torque with the same size while simultaneously keeping a cool head. Furthermore, the specialist for servo drive technology and motion control showed the MKD drive system for the first time at the exhibition stand. Tailored for multi-axis systems, MKD forms the basis for the combination of decentralized and centralized servo drive technology from construction kit.

Exceptional features include the flexible design options for the drive architecture and the intelligent energy management. For example, the MKD servo system can be connected very easily with energy storage systems based on capacitors – so-called "super caps". Consequently Kollmorgen is making a valuable contribution toward the security of supply of a machine and toward load management by harmonically smoothing start-up currents. The super caps also pick up the energy generated during braking and return it to the DC network. The multi-axis devices with a central feed support the space-saving control cabinet structure – especially due to their compactness, the high degree of functional integration and the single-cable connection technology for motors.

Kollmorgen also displayed comparable compactness with its drive solutions for AGV. Driverless transport systems were also at the focus of the SPS exhibition presence. Autonomous material flow requires 48-V systems which offer high power density when it comes to the motors and, given the limited energy resources of the battery storage device, are on the way with a high level of efficiency.

ABOUT KOLLMORGEN

Since its founding in 1916, Kollmorgen’s innovative solutions have brought big ideas to life, kept the world safer, and improved peoples’ lives. Today, its world-class knowledge of motion systems and components, industry-leading quality, and deep expertise in linking and integrating standard and custom products continually delivers breakthrough solutions that are unmatched in performance, reliability, and ease-of-use. This gives machine builders around the world an irrefutable marketplace advantage and provides their customers with ultimate peace-of-mind. For further information please visit our website: www.kollmorgen.com

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