As a result of over-harvesting, environmental pollution and two new parasites, the famous native Chesapeake Bay oyster population has dramatically decreased. In an attempt to bolster the population, the University of Maryland is conducting a study to assess the effects of introducing the Suminoe oyster, an Asian species that has shown to be resistant to the prevalent parasites.

A University of Maryland 24-month study will examine the Suminoe oysters’ eating and reefing habits as well as their vulnerability to the known native oyster predators. The tests will be conducted at the University’s Center for Environmental Science Aquaculture and Restoration Ecology Lab. This new facility has the unique advantage of both closed aquatic system as well as a secure, flow-through system plus experimental temperature and carbon dioxide controls for climate change research and a quarantine laboratory for the safe study of non-indigenous species.

Through their mechanical contractor, J.M. Zimmer, Inc., the University of Maryland chose the Lenze – AC Tech MCH variable frequency drive to control their pumps, cooling towers and building HVAC system. The MCH drive features a built-in PID set-point controller function as well as the automatic 3-contactor drive bypass, which assures full isolation of the VFD electronics and allows the motor to transfer from ‘drive’ operation and continue running across the line in ‘bypass mode’.

“The advantage of the MCH 3-contactor bypass in strictly controlled testing laboratories,” explains Joe Zimmer Jr. of J.M. Zimmer, “is an increase in reliability, making sure we maintain uninterrupted performance of the laboratory’s entire HVAC system, so research results are not compromised.” Having the power and control wiring easily accessible and ample wiring space, the MCH is considered one of the simplest to install, set up and use of all the HVAC variable frequency drives on the market. A single-point connection makes the MCH drives less error-prone and easy to support.

Process systems often require a system-controlled parameter, such as motor speed, to be able to react to variable situations in order to keep other system attributes constant, such as pressure, flow or temperature. Lenze – AC Tech builds the set point controller function into the MCH drive to compare the set-point value to the actual value and generate a speed command to the drive to correct the variance or error.

MCH Series Benefits

• Automatic Transfer to Bypass Option

• PID Setpoint Control

• Program Controller: Direct or Reverse-Acting

• Keypad Option for Local & Remote Operation

• Simple to Install

• Proven Performance & Reliability

Flomotion Systems develops and manufactures unique sealless peristaltic pumps that eliminate loss-of prime failures in chemical feed applications. Typical markets served include water & wastewater treatment, chemical, food & dairy, pharmaceutical, pulp & paper, energy management, power and irrigation.

A long-time user of Lenze – AC Tech’s MC Series drives; Flomotion has now incorporated the economical, compact and lightweight SMVector drive in the design of their 2001HEC Series pumps.

The Flomotion 2001HEC Series are rugged, reliable and cost effective industrial hose pumps built to succeed in harsh industrial environments. Several features of the SMVector make it a perfect fit for the job, including a removable terminal cover; easy access for control and power wiring and the fact that it can handle a wide range of operating temperatures from -10 to 55ºC. Last but not least, according to Flomotion, the SMVector offers better protection against electrical shock than any other NEMA 1 controller on the market.

Mounting the SMVector controller directly to the pump allows Flomotion to optimize precious panel space and offer its customers outstanding convenience. The unique EPM or Electronic Programmable Module stores the drive’s parameter configuration greatly simplifying initial setup.

Centrifugal and pumping applications especially those moving fluids or a mixture of wet and dry ingredients present a challenge because the speed is affected by the load. Fluid moving applications require ‘variable speed’ – a drive and motor that can produce the necessary horsepower to move the load at a constant speed. The motor will draw from the drive the amount.

of current it needs to ‘do the job’. The SMVector drive works well in this type of application because the speed can be controlled tightly in vector mode (more torque/less speed) or loosely in V/Hz mode to determine just the right amount of speed.

SMVector Benefits

• Multiple enclosure options available

including washdown

• Wide temperature range: -10 to 55ºC

• Removable memory (EPM)

• Multiple operational modes

(V/Hz, Enhanced V/Hz, Open Loop Vector)

• Lightweight, compact design

• Intuitive programming

• Multiple communication options

• Economical

Lawrence Equipment headquartered outside of Los Angeles CA, designs and manufactures state-of-the art flat bread and fried snack equipment used in single small scale and multi-national large scale operations throughout the United States and Europe. The company’s tagline – “The edge on automation” summarizes their commitment to advanced technology and superb customer service.

As part of their continuous improvement program, Lawrence Equipment searched for the most efficient automation solution for their Mega Series Press. With a capacity of up to 3,000 dozen, 6” diameter tortillas, chapati, roti or wraps per hour, the Mega Series press is designed for large wholesale and supermarket production. In the demanding and competitive market of food processing equipment, machine yield, quality and uptime are non-negotiable. Customers from across the globe rely on the performance of Lawrence Equipment’s high-end presses. When designing the Mega Series, the Lawrence engineering team focused on specifying components that provide value, improve ease-of-use and ensure dependability. They especially appreciated the PositionServo’s outstanding programmability and flexibility as well as the expert support provided globally by Lenze – AC Tech.

With the PositionServo, servo-actuated indexing is now a standard feature of the Mega Series press; It accurately arranges the array of dough balls on a Teflon mesh conveyor belt with the exact speed, acceleration and distance so they are fed continuously and evenly into the oven. The servo drive monitors feedback signals from the motor and continually adjusts for deviation from expected behavior. Also, PositionServo drive parameters are stored in the drive’s EPM (Electronic Programmable Module), allowing Lawrence Equipment engineers to create programs once and then simply copy them in seconds, saving time and avoiding errors. According to Lawrence Equipment, since the inclusion of the PositionServo in the Mega Series Press it has contributed to a significant increase in throughput. Lawrence Equipment is currently considering  incorporating the 940 PositionServo across all its machine platforms.

PositionServo Benefits

• Superior Performance

• Quick, Intuitive Programming

• Removable Memory (EPM)

• Seamless Integration Into System

• Global Support

• Multiple Communication Options

• Outstanding Value

• Product Availability

Lenze-AC Tech announces the release of Additional I/O Modules for SMVector NEMA 1 and NEMA 4X Inverters.

Available for the NEMA 1 and 4X SMVector models, the Additional I/O Modules are available in two configurations (ESVZAL0, ESVZAL1). The modules supplement the standard I/O functions by providing 1 programmable form C relay output (ESVZAL0) or 1 programmable form C relay output and 2 programmable digital inputs (ESVZAL1).

The I/O module does not add to the overall size of the SMVector inverter as it fits right into the SMVector inverter terminal cover allowing for easy field installation. SMVector inverters that are fitted with an additional I/O module option will no longer have the capability of accommodating an optional communication module. “The additional I/O module is great for applications requiring a relay and/or more digital inputs.” says Steve Dextraze, Inverter Product Manager at Lenze-AC Tech. “The two extra digital inputs are just that – supplementary – and allow the drive to be configured for several application specific tasks such as multiple preset speeds, electronic braking and motor jogging.”

The SMVector inverter drive provides all the features required by demanding applications, including four modes of operation – V/Hz, Enhanced V/Hz, Vector Speed, and Torque – plus high starting torque, auto-tuning, advanced low-speed control and dynamic speed regulation. The SMVector is designed to be truly a global product, with an input voltage ranging from 120VAC 1-phase to 600 VAC, 3-phase, plus the Electronic Programming Module or EPM, a removable chip that is the drive’s memory and allows a customer to program multiple drives in just seconds.

Lenze-AC Tech develops, manufactures, markets and supports a complete range of motion control solutions, including servo drives and motors, clutches and brakes, gears and gear motors and variable frequency AC motor drives. Lenze-AC Tech’s portfolio of AC Drive products extends from some of the world’s smallest sub-micro drives up through large, 500 HP.

For three years running, Lenze-AC Tech products have been recognized by Plant Engineering. In 2006, the SMVector Nema1 familyof AC drives and in 2007, the SMVector Nema 4x family of AC drives were both chosen by a panel of industry experts as a finalist for the Plant Engineering magazine Product of the Year Award.

In 2009 the PositionServo with MotionView set-up and Configuration tool embedded within the drive (eliminating the need for external software) so impressed the Plant Engineering Magazine’s readers that they voted it the winner in the servo product category.

Criteria for finalists
Product of the Year is a prestigious award bestowed by Plant Engineering magazine. The recipients are manufacturers who have come up with the best ideas to make plant operation better and smarter.

The process
Plant Engineering subscribers who have buy/specify responsibilities are invited to cast an electronic vote to choose the finalists. The votes are then tabulated to pick gold, silver and bronze winners in each category.

Lenze-AC Tech announces the release of EtherNet/IP as an optional communication protocol for the SMVector Drive. According to Mike Bailey, Product Sales Manager at Lenze-AC Tech, the SMVector AC Drive can seamlessly operate on an EtherNet/IP network with the addition of a simple plug-in communication module. “Other network protocols are also available as option modules including CANopen, DeviceNet, Profibus and Modbus RS-485,” states Bailey.

EtherNet/IP is a member of the DeviceNet and ControlNet family of Common Industrial Protocols (CIP) developed by Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation – ROK). As a member of the CIP family, EtherNet/IP can utilize the same set of pre-defined common objects, thus making communication between devices from different manufacturers much easier.

According to Lenze-AC Tech company officials, Lenze-AC Tech worked together with Allen-Bradley engineers to ensure complete product compatibility. “We first added EtherNet/IP to our PositionServo Drive and since then, our customers have been looking for EtherNet/IP for their AC Drive Solutions,” says Bailey, and he adds, “Allen-Bradley remains the largest implementer of EtherNet/IP, with most applications in the packaging and automotive markets; providing Allen-Bradley compatibility and multiple communication options for all of our products allows our customers to choose the fieldbus that best fits their automation application as well as their physical network.” Bailey explains that EtherNet/IP is a popular industrial network solution because it can support a nearly unlimited amount of nodes, can be used on a single point connection for configuration and control and permits devices to send and receive messages simultaneously.

SMV Standard Enclosure

• NEMA 1 (IP31)
• 120V – 600V
• 0.33 to 30HP ( 0.25 – 22kW)
• Open-loop Vector, V/Hz

Washdown Enclosure

• NEMA 4X (IP65)
• 120V – 600V
• 0.33 to 30HP ( 0.25 – 22kW)
• Open-loop Vector, V/Hz

Integral Disconnect

• NEMA 4X (IP65)
• Integral Motor & Drive Disconnect
• 0.33 to 10HP ( 0.25 – 7.5kW)
• Open-loop Vector, V/Hz

MC Series

• 120-590V
• 00.25 to 150 Hp (0.18-110kW)
• NEMA 1 (IP31), NEMA 4(X) (IP65), NEMA 12 (IP54)
• V/Hz

MCH Series

• 200-590V
• 1.0 to 250 Hp (0.75-185kW)
• NEMA 1 (IP31), NEMA 4(X) (IP65), NEMA 12 (IP54)
• V/Hz

Lenze – AC Tech offers many other products including but not limited to servo drives, gearmotor drives, and more. To learn more about additional Lenze – AC Tech products please contact us.