We often receive inquiries for variable frequency drives that are capable of high frequency output. Spindle applications such as CNC equipment generally use a high frequency output, up to 400Hz.

Customers often have trouble locating the proper product for these applications. Precision Electric offers a few different options for these type of applications. Our number one recommended product for high frequency output applications is the Lenze/AC Tech SMV Drive.

The SMV drive is designed for several types of applications, including high frequency output. The standard maximum output on many variable frequency drives is 60 -120 hz. The Lenze/AC Tech SMV has capabilities from 0-400hz, right out of the box. We also offer other Lenze/AC Tech products that have a high frequency output option; such as the Lenze/AC Tech MC series and Lenze/AC Tech SCF series drives. However, if you need either an SCF or MC series drive with high frequency output, you must specify that you need the high frequency option. The SCF and MC series products do not come factory equipped with the high frequency option unless specified when your order is placed.

Machine Tool applications such as the spindle on a CNC machine often run their equipment off of high frequency inverters. Typically dynamic braking kits are required when using high frequency output on this equipment.

When CNC machines are running at high speeds the inertia of the spindle causes the motor to become a generator once the stop button is engaged. Voltage generated from the motor goes back onto the DC bus in the drive. This often will cause the drive to trip on an “over bus fault”. This problem is addresed by adding a dynamic brake kit to the drive. The dynamic brake switch will turn on when the bus voltage reaches a preset level to disapate this excess energy across a set of resistors. This will prevent the drive from faulting. The required resistor wattage is determined by the inertia of the load and often requires more wattage than a standard dynamic brake kit will offer. The expert sales staff at Precision Electric will assist you when selecting a drive/brake package for these applications.

RyanChamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

The Lenze-AC Tech SMV drive now has an option speed potentiometer option and is built right into the terminal cover, providing direct front panel access. Steve Dextraze, Inverter Product Manager at Lenze-AC Tech, calls it robust and easy to maneuver and states that the potentiometer knob takes the place of the up/down buttons on the drive keypad, giving the operator manual speed control over a 0-10V analog output.

The potentiometer option is great for use in hands-on applications where speed must be ramped up/down, such as conveyer applications or food/beverage process applications. says Dextraze, adding, In single use installations the potentiometer provides just the right amount of control without the user having to use the keypad.

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 drives memory and allows a customer to program multiple drives in just seconds; the SMVector NEMA 4X also offers an integral disconnect option for quick and easy motor maintenance.

Lenze-AC Techs portfolio of AC Drive products extends from some of the worlds smallest sub-micro drives up through large, 500 HP.

Precision Electric has an excellent relationship with Lenze-AC Tech, as we have been working with them for over 15 years. Precision Electric is one of Lenze-AC Tech’s preferred authorized repair facilities and distributors in North America.

Ryan Chamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

If you need any AC Tech variable frequency drive literature, everything you’re looking for can be found right here on our website. Simply click the Manuals tab in the top right corner of this page. The following AC Tech literature can be found here on our website:

SMV Series
Sub Micro Series
MC Series
MCH Series

All of the literature that AC Tech has available on their website, is available on our website. Precision Electric also has digital documentation available for Lenze products, Baldor products, and other manufacturers’ literature whom we work with. If you need specific documentation and you cannot find it elsewhere, send me an email request.

Precision Electric service fliers, brochures, line cards and other related documentation is available here on our website via PDF. If you click the Capabilities tab in the top right corner of this page you will be able to download these files. If you do not find the information you need on our website, email me, and I’ll do my best to help out.

RyanChamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

Lenze Americas is excited to announce the launch of the PositionServo with its new revision 2 hardware platform. The PositionServos new hardware platform is a drop-in replacement for 99% of the installed base while adding auto-tuning capability, programmable brake release delay functionality, plus ease of use upgrades to the MotionView OnBoard (MVOB) software.

The auto-tuning capability makes tuning a servo drive effortless, it allows the user to quickly setup his application and if he needs more precise gain control, manual tuning in velocity and position modes is still available. explains Lenze engineering support.No longer fixed at 10ms, the brake release time is now programmable to 2000ms in ms increments for precise application control.

MotionView OnBoard (MVOB) Software is embedded into the drive to allow customers the simplicity of not having to worry about keeping track of their software, explains Sandor Becz, Director of Engineering. Now the user experience is greatly enhanced with the software upgrades including a new Monitor display, Rotational Direction parameter, Clear and Stop/Reset buttons, plus advanced feedback filter options. And now, upgrading the drives firmware is as simple as pressing the [Upgrade] button.

The easy preconfigured Monitor screen allows the user to keep track of the active parameters and monitor I/O values in a single glance. The new Rotational Direction parameter allows users to quickly change the positive direction CW/CCW to fit their specific installation without having to recode all MOVED, MOVEP statements with negative values. A great time-saving tool in debugging and commissioning applications, the [Stop/Reset] button is available on every main software page making stopping the indexer execution and resetting the drive convenient and fast.

Precision Electric, Inc has been losing a lot of orders lately due to AC Tech Corporation inventory problems. For the past couple of months AC Tech has not been committing to their normal ‘same day shipping’

“All of our products, including Lenze products have a 4-5 week lead time” This has been the typical response from AC Tech when asked about shipping time for all AC Tech products.

Precision Electric, Inc is not the least bit happy about this problem, however we have been able to come up with ideal solutions for our customers’ immediate needs.

Currently we are stocking AC Tech SMV drives in the 3hp, 5hp, and 10hp in all voltage ranges as well as all enclosure types, including Nema 1, Nema 4, and Nema 4X. This is one of Precision Electric immediate solutions for customers who are in need of a drive that is 10hp or less. We have also been replacing many of the AC Tech drives with competitor’s products, such as Baldor, and Leeson.

For the past couple of weeks I have noticed that AC Tech has been shipping orders much quicker than promised. For example, every order I’ve placed with AC Tech has shipped within 5-7 business days from the time I place order. These orders have been promised 4-5 week delivery, yet they have been shipping in 5-7 business days. I speculate by recent transactions that AC Tech is not having actual manufacturing delays, rather AC Tech is having inventory control problems.

I contacted AC Tech to find out about these problems and I was told that AC Tech is currently using new software for inventory control. This new software is causing all of the shipping delays. Unfortunatley AC Tech does not have an immediate solution for these problems. AC Tech is working around the clock trying to fix these issues, and Precision Electric has high hopes these problems are only temporary.

Precision Electric has edited the lead time/ship time on all of our eBay listings for AC Tech and Lenze products. In the meantime Precision Electric will be stocking AC Tech SMV drives available for immediate shipment, and we will also do our best to find comparable products for our customers who are in need of immediate solutions.

RyanChamberlin
Inside Sales, Customer Support
[email protected]

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 Universitys Center for Environmental Science Aquaculture and RestorationEcology 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 functionas 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 laboratorys 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 pointcontroller 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