Integrated electronics control functions
Ravens differ from other birds in abilities that are otherwise only known from primates. They can use tools and assess social relationships between other ravens - a prerequisite for behaving appropriately and intelligently in complex social networks. Today's modern drive technology should be just as adaptable: Intelligent, communicative and highly flexible, was the thinking at Rotek in Bremerhaven.
This is because it must optimally fulfil the most diverse requirements under all possible environmental conditions. Flexibility should apply to the mechanical design, the electronics and rapid servicing.
These considerations led to the development of the Romotion BLDC motors. The intelligent electronics offer possibilities that go far beyond controlling the motor winding. For example, the drive can independently take over functions that make higher-level control systems superfluous or considerably simplify them. This reduces the costs of the system design.
It is communicative in the warehouse area. In a storage and retrieval machine, for example, several motors are networked with each other via a CAN bus gateway and thus carry out their respective tasks in coordination with each other.
And if a motor needs to be replaced, the CAN bus gateway recognises the new drive after installation and parameterises it automatically. This saves valuable time during servicing.
The Romotion is a three-phase brushless DC motor with integrated control electronics. The basic version operates without sensors, which offers two important advantages: Firstly, it eliminates the cost of sensors and wiring, and secondly, the motor runs more quietly and with absolutely the same torque in both directions. This video shows you how to put a Romotion into operation.
If crates with different loads are to be positioned at maximum cycle rates, the software can be programmed so that the stopping point is approached in the best possible way and without time-consuming readjustment. The overall dynamics are determined when the containers are accelerated at maximum flow. This is used to calculate the braking time, which varies depending on the load, while travelling at maximum speed. After active braking, the motor switches to stepper motor mode for the last 1-2° and travels synchronously to the stopping point with high overexcitation. An output for a braking resistor is provided as standard on the control electronics.
For another application in which a transport container must be permanently levelled, Rotek offers to install an inclination sensor directly in the Romotion and connect it to the electronics. The drive can be calibrated during commissioning. This saves the system manufacturer additional costs for mounting and wiring the sensor. In addition, the direct connection of the sensor to the motor electronics enables fast control and therefore a particularly smooth drive.
