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KEB Automation has extended its drives portfolio with a new range of high performance single-axis drive controllers that are extremely compact, energy efficient and flexible for a wide variety of control applications in automated, safety-orientated machines.
The drives provide optimal motor control in real time, as well as integrated safety functionality.
The new COMBIVERT F6 range of drive controllers are 100% in-house designed and built by KEB Automation.
The drives are available in seven different enclosure sizes and power ranges from 4kW up to 400kW. The drives are air- or liquid-cooled (integral or push-through mounting) and can be customised with a variety of design options to suit the specific application. Safety functionality can be selected in modules to suit the requirements of the machine.
Typical applications include materials handling, textiles, plastics, processing technology, machine tools, food and beverage processing and packaging, robotics, woodworking and renewable energy systems (eg, wind turbines).
In addition to the control of widely-supported motor types such as synchronous, asynchronous, permanent magnet, synchronous reluctance, linear, high-torque motor and high speed motor, the COMBIVERT F6 offers additional functions such as automatic anti-cogging and optimised torque pre-control for linear and non-linear kinematics. Motor operation with encoder feedback or encoderless ASCL/SCL for precise speed control is also possible.
A two-channel multi-encoder interface is provided for all encoder types such as Resolver, TTL, HTL, SinCos, SSi, EnDAT, Hiperface and BiSS.
An integrated GTR7 brake transistor and integrated brake control and brake supply are also provided, as well as motor temperature monitoring with PTC, KTY or PT1000 sensors.
Modular safety concept
With drive-based safety, safety functions are shifted into the drive platform, which means the cost of separate protective devices and cabling are reduced. The F6 is available in two control versions:
The F6-K (COMPACT) version is highly integrated with everything onboard, including STO (Safe Torque Off) as standard. This version offers the best price-performance ratio and offers real time Ethernet control (EtherCAT or VARAN) as well as CAN and DIAGNOSTIC RS 232/485 communications interfaces as standard.
The F6-A (APPLICATION) version is a flexible, modular design that allows scaleable functional safety, from basic STO to encoder-based safe motion.
Optional use of current speed-based safety functions (eg, Safe Limited Speed, Safe Maximum Speed, Safe Operating Stop, and Safe Direction) is available.
All safety functions can be used in applications up to IEC 62061-SIL3 in accordance with IEC 61508 or up to PLe in accordance with ISO 13849. The safety functions are controlled via secure digital inputs or via FSoE (Fail Safe over EtherCAT).
The F6-A also provides more real time fieldbus control options and safety PLC communications (EtherCAT, PROFINET, POWERLINK), giving the end user a genuine Industry 4.0/IoT-capable drive.
Mark Checkley, Sales & Marketing Manager at KEB (UK) Ltd comments: “Compared to its predecessor [COMBIVERT F5] the F6 is much more compact, which helps reduce the space needed in control cabinets by up to 76%. In addition, the innovative power stage design of the F6 reduces power losses by up to 50%, which means our customers can design machines that are more compact, lighter and more cost effective with integral safety functionality.”
The F6 provides status LEDs, motor terminals, DC supply terminals and can be provided with an optional multi-lingual LCD text display. I/O options include 8 x digital inputs, 2 x digital outputs, 1 x relay, 2 x analogue inputs, 1 x analogue output and a 24V DC supply.
Start up and analysis software
KEB Automation also provides its easy-to-use software, COMBIVIS studio 6, for start up, administration and analysis. This includes start-up Wizards for quick and easy product configuration, direct access to device documentation, a 16-channel oscilloscope for extensive analysis, as well as enabling online drive parameter list comparisons and the set up of key safety indicators and functions.
With a foundation built on libraries, devices and template databases, COMBIVIS studio 6 allows rapid, simple solutions to be generated for a wide range of applications.
Accessorise your drives
A range of accessories are available for the COMBIVERT F6, including mains EMC filters, mains choke, ouptut chokes and filters, combi-filters (EMC/output choke), sine-wave filters, harmonic filters, sine-wave EMC filters, and high performance ferrite cores.
