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Drives: smart set-up for standard applications27 June 2011In addition to great functionality and high quality, user-friendliness nears the top of the agenda when it comes to choosing a drive. In a survey recently carried out on behalf of Danfoss, most users said that this aspect was extremely important – a factor the company took to heart when it designed its new drive set-up wizardDanfoss is determined to make the commissioning of its drives as easy and simple as possible, from the moment the drive is first powered up to those occasions when factory settings need to be restored.
The AutomationDrive display - introduced in 2003 and an IF Design Award winner for its user-friendliness - has made considerable headway in achieving this aim. With its new ‘Smart Application Setup’ feature, Danfoss has taken the simplification of parameterisation procedures one step further.
The increasing number of functions in the standard drive means that there are many parameters and configuration settings that users can change in order to satisfy a particular application's requirements. Because so many parameters are normally required to achieve satisfactory operation, this process needs to be simplified, and one way to do this is with the aid of an intuitive menu structure.
For the new VLT AutomationDrive FC 300 series, Danfoss has now integrated a new function in order to simplify initial commissioning and to get the drives speedily online again following the restoration of factory settings; this is called 'Smart Application Setup' and it saves a considerable amount of time when putting standard applications into operation.
Danfoss developers have exploited the full potential of the graphical display in order to make programming as simple and as clear as possible. For many applications, this means that the user no longer needs to consult the manual during commissioning. Moreover, Smart Application Setup is intended for use with typical standard applications, which make up the vast majority of VLT applications. Three important applications have been integrated into the first version:
* The configuration of a horizontal load such as a conveyor belt or transport conveyor
* The configuration of a vertical load such as a simple hoist with a mechanical brake control
* The parameterisation of a PID controller as may typically be found in pump and ventilation applications
The macros can run automatically during the first commissioning of the drive or after the restoration of factory settings. Alternatively, the user can access them at any time via the VLT AutomationDrive Quick Menu.
Smart Application Setup then guides the user through the settings for the drive. After asking the user which language he or she requires (VLT AutomationDrive supports 27 languages) they are guided through basic parameterisation steps. As part of this configuration process, the macro prompts the user to enter the motor data and specific application data required for initial commissioning. Examples of specific functions include settings for thermal motor protection and the sources of reference and feedback signals for any PID controllers installed within the system.
Danfoss says that more applications are on the horizon. All the application set-ups have a modular design, which means that their range can be extended gradually over time for specific applications. The result of this is that commissioning will just get easier - saving the user time and money.
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