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Charlotte Stonestreet
Managing Editor |
ARTICLE
Small Gives Big Benefits
26 January 2015
OEMs and equipment users, particularly of continuous running products, can both benefit from the latest high-efficiency motor technology. The benefits include a significant reduction in running costs plus more compact and lighter equipment/machines. In addition, because the motors meet mandatory current and future energy efficiency standards they eliminate the need for and cost of re-designs.
From 1 January 2015, the efficiency requirement for relevant equipment was stepped up again, with IE3 motors (or IE2 + VSD) becoming mandatory for 7.5kW – 375kW. This requirement will also cover down to 0.75kW from 1 January 2017.
Legislative imposed changes occupy the time of design engineers, frequently calling for reengineering of machinery. However, by looking forward, step-by-step machine/equipment modifications can be avoided by designing-in now existing motors that are already compliant with the higher level IE4 The obvious benefit of doing this is the elimination of expensive re-working of designs to accommodate a later minimum requirement.
In addition to helping to achieve this goal, the new Lafert permanent magnet High Performance motors also offer engineers the opportunity to potentially shrink their designs, both in size and weight. This might facilitate installation and/or transportation, benefits that are attractive to the end user.
These benefits are combined with the advantages of enhanced control. This is because the new IE4 compliant motors are compatible with many drives, consequently performance can be optimised effectively to ensure better operation capabilities and enhanced efficiency.
The largest benefit for the foresighted designer will be to gain the competitive advantage of IE4 efficiency levels.
SMALL FRAME - GREATER POWER – HIGHER EFFICIENCY
As a major European manufacturer, Lafert can offer a complete range of IE3 motors but for motors between 0.75 and 30kW the Group can offer an innovative alternative. Drawing upon the Group’s experience with permanent magnet servo motors and drives, Lafert is able to provide a smaller, lighter motor solution that will comply with the IE4 efficiency level.
By integrating the standard components of the squirrel cage induction motor with the permanent magnet rotor of the servo motor, Lafert has developed its High Performance range. The major advantage with this solution is that the power/weight ratio is lower rather than higher, resulting in IEC frame size being reduced by two (see diagram example 5.5kW 3000 rpm). The system requires a sensorless drive and many standard drives can be configured for it. Another key benefit is that the efficiency remains high over a wide speed range not just over the duty point.
Lafert have developed two configuration types: the ‘HPI’ which includes the drive as an integral unit with the motor, and the ‘HPS’ which is a more conventional stand-alone motor and drive. The HPS is particularly appealing to the OEM because they can benefit from the use of standard motor components plus the option of Lafert’s motor customisation capabilities. These include non-standard shaft configurations (single and double) and different mounting options.
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