Dunkermotoren Expands Motor Control Platform With Compact Solutions

Industrial motors will often require a controller to manipulate the supply voltage to the motor, which in turn changes the speed of the output shaft. These controllers will typically be found in electrical cabinets. Lately, the industry has been releasing motors with integrated controls. Simply add power and communications directly to the motor, and your PLC or control system will be able to communicate directly to the motor and send position or speed commands. This topology can save space within the main panel and reduce expensive specialty cables.

In line with the trend to simplify motor control, Dunkermotoren has released the BG 75 dMove motor with integrated motor control. Dunkermotoren has also released the BGE 8060 dPro motor controller.

The BG 75 dMove integrated brushless DC motor features an integrated controller. Image used courtesy of Dunkermotoren

The BG 75 dMove Motor

The BG 75 dMove is the latest addition to Dunkermotoren’s Motor Control Platform, a series of integrated DC brushless motors. The BG 75 is the second biggest offering from the catalog, with 810 watts of continuous output and a peak output of over 1,000 watts. The BG 75 operates on either 12, 24, or 48 VDC and is offered in three different frame sizes with nominal RPMs from 3190 to 3590 and a nominal torque of 0.528 to 1.436 Nm. The modular system is made up of a brake and encoder, the BG dMove motor, and a choice of gear reduction systems, either planetary or angular gearboxes.

To communicate with the motor, the BG 75 dMove utilizes Dunkermotoren’s Drive Assistant 5 software. Both status monitoring and integration can be executed using the software. The popular CANopen fieldbus communication protocol is used for issuing motion-related commands. If your application doesn’t support CANopen, digital inputs and outputs can be utilized instead.

BGE 8060 dPro Motor Controller

For motors that do not have integrated controls, a motion controller is required. This device is used to take commands from a PLC and translate them into position, speed, acceleration, and deceleration. Dunkermotoren is introducing the BGE 8060 dPro motor controller based on the popular BGE 5510. The BGE 8060 is a 4-quadrant controller for brushless and brushed DC motors. The controller can handle up to 1800 watts of power and up to 72 A of continuous current draw.

The BGE 8060 DC motor controller is built for use with brushed and brushless DC motors. Image used courtesy of Dunkermotoren

Safety is always important with motion control, and Dunkermotoren recognizes this with the integrated safe torque off. This safety function disables all motor power to ensure there is no power going to the motor when disabled.

The BGE 8060 is also compatible with encoders and braking systems. Even the AE38 SSI encoder is supported, allowing for more precise position control over typical encoders.

Integrated Motor Control

Technology advancements have driven components to get smaller and faster. This change has been seen in the industrial motion industry with integrated motors and smaller controllers. These devices allow machine builders to break free from the typical electrical panel installation and allow them to design modular equipment that can grow or shrink with the application, resulting in a more dynamic and flexible manufacturing environment.