Servo drive control units come as a mechanical example of team collaboration. Before going into detail about Servo drive controls, it is useful to make some definitions.
What is Servo?
Servo is a control system consisting of servo motors and drives. While motors perform the duty of directing mechanical systems, drives are used to control the motors. In other words, the servo drive and the motor are inseparable partners. They are usually produced as a set by the manufacturer.
It can be said that servo drive control systems are controllers for servo motors. Servo drives are used in the industrial automation sector and provide control over servo motors in robot and machine systems through programs written with PLC support, in terms of position, mechanical, motor torque, position, output, and speed. The servo system basically consists of four main components; drive, motor, encoder, and controller with feedback device.
Servo Motor
Systems that control speed, position, and position quickly. Servo Motors have superior features such as not consuming power while rotating and resting between operations.
The primary purpose of servo motors is to ensure that operations continue at the set position and standards without any changes. They are indispensable equipment for robot technologies. Servo motor drives are controlled by adding additional commands through software and programming using computers and PLCs. Unlike standard motors, the ease of application and maintenance of their applications, fewer malfunctions, and their many functions ensure that servo motor drives are among the essentials of the industry. Servo motor drives used in various fields such as robot systems, industrial automation, and building automation are categorized under two main headings as DC servo motors and AC servo motors.
DC Servo Motor Drive
It can be said that they are motor types with a historical accumulation. They have gears that provide rotation and the ability to move 180 degrees. They can be produced in different powers. DC servo motor drives operate with direct current. Incremental encoders, hall sensors, and tachogenerators are used for feedback. They are the most affordable motors in the market, dynamic, and easy to use. They can be analog or digital. They are used in office supplies, military tools, position determination systems, memory machines, and digital control machines. They are easy to install in any environment.
AC Servo Motor Drive
Also known as precise and long-lasting, AC Servo Motor drives are used in projects that require high power usage and have a high frequency range. With high magnetic fields, they provide high efficiency through the AC motor drive circuit. They have the ability to provide fast and smooth movement control. Thanks to the AC motor drive circuit, they can maintain operational stability in challenging working conditions. AC servo motors, which are among induction-type motors, can be produced in two-phase and three-phase options.
Comparison of DC Servo Motor with AC Servo Motor
- Generally, DC motors are known to be brushed, while AC motors are brushless.
- Brushed DC motors can fail or decrease in efficiency over time due to the wear of their brushes.
- AC motors require less maintenance.
- The space occupied by DC motors is larger compared to AC motors.
- AC motors are suitable for projects requiring both high and low power, while DC motors are only used in projects requiring high power.
- The price of AC motors is higher than that of DC motors.
Points to Consider When Choosing a Servo Drive System
- Check if it is produced in a wide power range.
- If possible, the servo system should be fully digital.
- Pay attention to the industrial communication standards it supports.
- It should be highly precise.
- It should have a current demerage level in the power part.
- It should have high performance and be able to withstand overload.
- Consider its ability to internally perform position tasks.
- It should be lightweight and customizable.
- Pay attention to whether it has the capability of efficiency and automatic motor recognition adjustment.
- Inquire about its resilience to mechanical shocks.
- Make sure it can update speed values.
- It should be able to adjust parameters in external applications such as computers and tablets.
- Parameter settings should be easy to implement and free from complexity.
- Check if it has international protection functionality.
- Make sure the entry pals speed is above 3mpps.
- It should have the ability to support multiple small, large, and powerful motors.
- It should respond correctly to PID applications.
- Check its vibration resistance.
Operating Modes Required in Servo Systems
- Internal position control mode
- External position control mode
- Speed control method
- Torque control system
- Option to control speed and torque simultaneously
- Option to control all of them together
Most Preferred Servo Drives
Servo drives that meet expectations and are in high demand are ; Siemens servo drives, Parker servo drives, and LG servo drives.
Siemens Servo Drives
Siemens servo drives stand out with their economic benefits, ease of use, safety, and optimized servo drive performance. You can access the most suitable Siemens servo drives through our MakineTürkiye sales platform. On our website, there are options such as Siemens Brakeless Servo Drive set, which can be put into operation very quickly thanks to the plug-and-play principle, Siemens Single-Axis Servo Drive with improved servo performance, Siemens Servo Motor Brakeless and Incremental Encoder Servo Drive, Siemens Brake Servo Drive, and Siemens Brakeless Servo Drive. Basic features of Siemens servo drives:
- High performance options with automatic adjustment settings
- Integrated internal positioning options
- Having a high-quality motor bearing
- Easy machine optimization and servo settings
- Having parameter cloning options
- Having a wide voltage range
- Having a safe driver and motor combination
- Being economical and having easy-to-use options
- Option to enter a wide range of positions
- Ability to suppress sounds like part and vibration
- Ability to adjust with a single touch
Parker Servo Drives
One of the leading companies in the industry, Parker has taken on the production of servo drives in various models. They produce high-performance products. They operate with high precision and dynamic operating principles. They offer different alternatives in terms of body options, torque, speed values, and feedback. They are useful for a large number of axes due to their multiple structures. They are secure.
LG Servo Drives
One of the sought-after equipment in the industry, LG Servo Drives have various servo drives with different features within themselves. Common features of LG Servo Drives:
- Being in the class of smart technological products and providing high performance
- Being safe,
- Being fast and solution-oriented
- Solution-oriented operating principle for complex and challenging applications
- Ability to adjust operating modes
- External and internal position options
- Ability to be programmed as PNP AND NPN
- Having Windows-based software
- Options for teaching position and origin searching
- Containing alarm messages and protection functions
- Being UL and CE approved.