AC Drives are rated 15 hp at 240 V and 30 hp at 480 V.

ABB Automation Aug 12, 2008

Press Release Summary:

Housed in R4 frame measuring 7.13 x 6.65 x 10.24 in., ACS350 General Machinery Drives feature 8-stage sequence programming and FlashDrop technology, which facilitates parameter selection and setting. Embedded Modbus RTU includes plug-in Fieldbus adapters offering high-speed communications such as DeviceNet, PROFIBUS-DP, CANopen, and Ethernet IP/Modbus TCP. Compliant with RoHS, DIN-rail-mounted drives also include EMC filter and built-in brake chopper.

Original Press Release:

ABB Extends ACS350 General Machinery Drives To 15 HP @ 240V, and 30 HP @ 480V, to Deepen Application Solutions For OEMs and System Integrators

(ACS350 AC drives provide very fast machine building and assembly times)

NEW BERLIN, WI, July 29, 2008 . . . ABB's ACS350 general machinery drives are designed and built to make it extremely easy for volume machine builders to increase average throughput time via an average two-second programming time per unit. ABB has just extended ratings of the drives to 15 HP at 240 volts and 30 HP at 480 volts. The units are RoHS-compliant, with coated boards, and are ideal for a wide range of machinery applications in the food processing, material handling, textiles, printing, rubber and plastics, semiconductor, automotive and woodworking industries.

"This is more horsepower in a very compact R4-frame drive that offers extremely fast replication of parameter sets across units - and they are offered at very competitive pricing," said Kathleen Watson, product manager for the ACS350 drive line. The R0-R4 frame drives also accommodate easy, repeatable installation, with unified height and depth across the horsepower range, she said. "All that varies as the horsepower increases is that the drives get slightly wider," she noted.

The new R4 frame units are 7.13 inches high, 6.65 inches deep, and 10.24 inches wide. Such uniform measurements make it easy to arrange cable tunnels in straight runs, to power the units, and control motors. Innovative features packaged into ABB's extended ACS350 general machinery drives family all are designed to minimize installation and commissioning time and cost; these features include:

-- Patented FlashDrop technology;

-- Eight (8) state Sequence Programming (PLC-like functions);

-- Flexible User Interface;

-- High-speed Communications; and

-- Cabinet-compatible Hardware.

Parameter Downloading and Uploading is Fast, Safe, Easy, Via New FlashDrop (model MFDT-01) - Without Powering Drives

ABB's patented FlashDrop technology makes parameter selection and setting as easy as operating a TV remote control. Important parameters can be downloaded and uploaded in less than three (3) seconds into a "non-powered" drive, using a hand-held FlashDrop MFDT-01 unit. To program the drive in a panel, OSHA Personal Protective Equipment is not necessary, since the drive or panel are not powered.

The unit can store up to 20 different machine parameter sets and, for extra convenience, each set can be named to clearly show the associated end-user or application. An especially useful feature is that parameter setting is done, "flashed in," without a power connection to the drive; in fact, it is not even necessary to fully unpack the drive. "This also makes it easy for distributors to pre-configure drives before delivery, and helps high-volume OEMs to streamline the commissioning process," Watson said.

FlashDrop allows the menu structure to be customized. Parameters can be set and hidden, changing the appearance of the menu for faster set up and configuration. It also enables users to copy parameters readily between drives: they simply are uploaded into the FlashDrop unit and then downloaded into a second drive. The FlashDrop unit can be connected to a PC for additional storage capacity, and parameter sets also can be created or edited using the DrivePM (Parameter Manager) PC interface. FlashDrop is quick and convenient to use, and no specialized drive knowledge is required.

Eight-state Sequence Programming (PLC-like Functions)

Sequence programming, a standard feature in ABB's general machinery drives, provides a straightforward way to create pre-set sequences of operations, without any drive options. These PLC-like programs are sufficient for many basic applications in which the drive controls the motor, using signals from sensors and limit switches. This helps to reduce external PLC capacity requirements, facilitating less complex motor control systems, and lower costs. Additional programming features include Speed Compensation Stop and Programmable Delayed Stop - ideal for material handling applications that require precise stopping independent of process-speed variations.

Flexible User Interface

The user interface of the new general machinery drives also are designed to give users greater flexibility -- and the possibility to cut costs. The control panel only is needed for commissioning or troubleshooting, and no panel is included with the drive as standard. Users who require a panel can select between two types: basic and advanced. Both are detachable, so an end-user could acquire a single panel to swap between, and use across, a number of drives.

Cabinet-compatible Hardware

With an EMC filter and built-in brake chopper, the new drives are very well equipped. At the same time, the drives are extremely compact: the 480 V drives over 1 HP are the smallest available in their category. And only the width of the drives increases with increasing power, which facilitates easy installation into cabinets, or stand-alone configurations. Cable tunnels can be arranged in a straight run, and all screw holes can be drilled in a line.

DIN-rail mounting of the all ACS350 units also is provided for, and the drives can be mounted side-by-side, without the need for air gaps. When cabinet depth is very limited, the drives even can be mounted with one side to the back of the cabinet. At only 9.7 lbs, handling and installation of the 30 HP units is easy. The drives' own housing provides IP20 protection.

High-speed Communications and Comprehensive Control Connections

The drives have comprehensive control connections: there are two bipolar analog and five digital inputs (of which one can be configured for pulse train), and one analog, one relay and one digital output. The drives feature a totally new generation of Fieldbus, with small, enclosed, plug-in adapters offering high-speed communications. The drives feature embedded Modbus RTU including several small, enclosed, plug-in Fieldbus adapters offering high speed communications such as DeviceNet, PROFIBUS-DP, CANopen & Ethernet IP / Modbus TCP (est. release Q4, 2008). Several additional options are available, including Potentiometer, Pulse Encoder Interface, Cabinet Panel Mounting NEMA1, NEMA 4X panel cover, and Programming Software.

ABB's general machinery drives are available in single-phase (240 V) rated up to 3 HP; three-phase (240 V) up to 15 HP; three-phase (480 V) up to 30 HP.

ABB, Automation Products, Low Voltage Drives, is the world's largest manufacturer of electric motors and drives. In the USA, an integrated channel of sales representatives, distributors, and system integrators allow ABB, New Berlin, Wisconsin, to supply a complete line of energy-efficient electric drives, motors and engineered drive systems to a wide range of industrial and commercial customers. Products manufactured include AC and DC variable speed drives for electric motors from 1/8th through 135,000 HP, and application-specific drive system solutions to meet diverse customer needs (http://www.abb.us/drives).

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 115,000 people.