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Current news and new developments in the world of Sprint Electric:
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When it comes to energy efficiency the XRi drives are able to regenerate energy back into the mains supply under braking without the need for expensive, complex intermediate storage, resistive dumping or additional power bridges. In these days of global warming and greater attention to energy conservation, it is perhaps the DC motors ability to run in reverse as a generator for rapid braking applications that is one of its best features. With four-quadrant operation, the torque can be reversed very gently or almost instantaneously, as required. Although compact in size the 340XRi, 680XRi and 1220 XRi offers all the system functionality normally associated with Sprint Electric’s products. |
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The work involved installing Sprint Electric’s
PLX digital DC drives for 119 fly bars and point hoists. The system
installed is capable of operating all the drives simultaneously.
This was amply demonstrated during the testing period, as Visual
Act technicians made the most of the empty stage by programming
continuous movements and effects involving all 119 drives. The
work was undertaken by Visual Act inconjunction with partners Browik
El and Lönne Maskin and Sprint Electric. Interested in learing more? or have a similar project? click here. |
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 Sprint Electric'sPLX series DIGITAL DC DRIVE A world beating range of 3 phase digital DC motor controllers are available from Sprint Electric. Available in both 2Q and 4Q versions the range comprises 3 very compact chassis sizes with models rated from 5 to 265KW. The drives have a very extensive level of features which provide the customer with a whole range of benefits. Some of the main features of the drive are:-
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 Sprint drives go to the wire with Special
Metals The latest in digital DC motor speed control technology, the Sprint PLX, was specified when wire manufacturer Special Metals replaced an obsolete control system for a wire drawing machine producing specialist nickel alloy wires. The machine has eight drawing heads, each consisting of a die and a DC motor-driven block. The wire is wound around the blocks, which draw it through the dies to reduce its diameter or gauge. When drawing wire to particular gauge, its diameter can only be reduced a certain amount by each die, and the number of heads used for a particular product depends on the total reduction in diameter required. For very small gauge wires all eight heads may be used, while for heavier wires only two or three drawing heads may be needed. top |
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 DC drive configuration made simple with PL PILOT
Sprint Electrics Windows-based graphical configuration and diagnostic software package makes the programming, installation and commissioning of its range of PL and PLX digital DC drives even simpler. The PL Pilot software is easy to use and requires no previous specialist knowledge of programming languages. By making extensive use of block diagrams, graphics, drop down menus and help screens, it enables a drive to be programmed in minutes. The PC running the PL Pilot software, which operates under any version of Windows from 95 onwards, is easily connected to the drive via the PC's standard serial port. PL Pilot works in two modes - "On-line" and "Off-line". In Off-line mode, without the drive connected, the operator can create and save a "recipe" of parameters and block connections for downloading later. This makes the cloning of multiple drives requiring the same settings quick and easy - perfect for OEMs and commissioning engineers. |
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 Configuration of multiple DC drives made even easierSprint Electric simplifies the simultaneous configuration, programming and monitoring of multiple DC drives with the launch of a new facility that enables several of its PL and PLX digital drives to be 'daisy-chained' together. This new feature will reduce installation and commissioning time for OEMs and plant engineers by enabling the same settings and parameters to be loaded into multiple drives. The Sprint drives are simply connected together using off-the-shelf RS232 to RS485 converters. Each converter is plugged into the PLX's serial port and its output connected to the input terminals of the next drive. The drive at the end of the chain is connected to a PC running Sprint's easy-to-use, Windows-based configuration tool, PL Pilot, which now features a multiple view facility. All drives in the chain can then be programmed at the same time, with split screens in the software tool showing the status of each. PL Pilot, available free on CD-ROM from Sprint Electric, can be used in either "On-line" or "Off-line" mode. In Off-line mode, the operator can create and save "recipes" of parameters and block connections for downloading to a single or multiple drives later. In On-line mode, PL Pilot can be used to set, monitor and adjust drive parameters with the drive(s) connected and running. In this mode it also serves as a powerful real-time diagnostic tool, enabling the operator to troubleshoot the drive system and modify parameters and settings accordingly. top |
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 New
Philips Surface Mount line...ensures Sprint Electric keeps up with the latest and fastest technology when it comes to assembly of their printed circuit boards. The new 21,000 components per hour flexible surface mount line is capable of assembling SMD packages from 0402 through to 54mm QFP and 0.30mm pitch. The new surface mount facility consists of Philips Topaz chip shooter & Philips Emerald fine pitch smd placement machines together with PAF board conveyors, JetStream forced air SMD reflow oven and a DEK precision screen printing machine. Richard Blows, Sprint Electric's engineering manager says: "this new line is essential for us. It enables us to combine speed of assembly with the accuracy and quality that our world-wide customers demand". top |
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 Brains behind PLX DIGITAL DRIVEAris Potamianos (pictured) has been responsible for the design and engineering of Sprint Electric's range of 3 phase DC Digital Drives type PL & PLX. Dr Potamianos has a wealth of experience gained from working with companies like Anderson Strathclyde where he pioneered a switched reluctance motor application, Cegelec Industrial Controls, SR Drives and Eurotherm Drives where he was key in the design of their 590 range of digital drives. A distinguished engineering academic, Dr Potamianos received the equivalent of a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering degree from Athens University before proceeding to his masters degree at Manchester and finally PhD from Nottingham. Dr Potamianos, an effervescent, enthusiastic and solution focused man is regarded as one of the foremost designers of digital drives in the UK today. top |
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 SPRINT DRIVES -A CUT ABOVE THE REST When British Sugar in Kidderminster needed to replace variable speed drives on their five beet slicers they required quality, reliability and excellent support. They found the perfect solution in Sprint Electric... The British Sugar plant in Kidderminster produces nearly 80,000 tonnes of sugar each year. This is mainly medium and fine granulated sugar that the food and drink industry uses to make chocolate, cakes and soft drinks. Although sugar is dispatched from the factory all year, the production process only runs during harvest time, from September to February. Five slicers feed the beet onto a single conveyor feeding the giant diffuser, so clearly the slicer drives play a vital role in keeping the plant running. A 45KW DC motor fed by a variable speed drive provides power to each slicer. DC is the chosen technology, as the blades have to be changed six times a day, necessitating the rotary slicers to be 'inched' forward. Considerable torque is also required at starting, another speciality of the DC drive. Each slicer can produce approximately 50 Tonnes per hour and runs at 50 to 60% of full speed. Plant electrical engineer Steve Hills says "Sprint Electric has built a superb reputation for the quality of its products and these drives are vital to the running of the plant and we could not afford to take risks." The Sprint SLX50 drives are each 50KW, 3 phase, 4 quadrant units that are compact, simple to install and available ex stock. They are significantly smaller than the drives they replace, leaving much better accessibility in the control panel. The 4-quadrant drive is very energy efficient in repetitive braking, reversing or overhauling applications. The SLX series offers built in field weakening for extended speed range and an extra 50% peak torque for rapid acceleration or shock loads. There are numerous alarms for enhanced drive and motor protection. A sweet result for all concerned. top |
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 New
ATE testing aids quality controlA recent addition to ensuring products of the highest quality and reliability is a new Teradyne Z1890 Automatic test machine. Using a "bed of nails" to probe the circuit board, the system analyses individual components to ensure they are within specification. Richard Blows, Sprint Electric's engineering manager says "The Teradyne is an important part of our quality control procedures with all circuit boards being ATE tested prior to final assembly. This process is followed by products being 100% functionally tested under load conditions. We recognise that quality and reliability is the prime purchasing criteria of our customers." top |
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Sprint Controllers go Round the Twist  Temco, precision manufacturer of aircraft specification
wire have installed over 200 Sprint Electric DC drives, here's why....Custom designed tension control systems for feeding wire into a stranding machine were progressively more difficult to repair and maintain, according to John Jackson of Temco. Temco needed to find a replacement for the old controllers, to use in a completely re-designed pay-off stand, which would incorporate current technology, and fit into the small space available in the wire pay-off stand. Accurate tension control is essential because the equipment is employed to feed wire into high speed, double twist stranding machines that produce cable for the aerospace industry. In order to keep weight to a minimum, the cable and insulation is kept as thin as possible. The high specification wire strands need to be produced to a consistently high quality and so the replacement controllers would have to be capable of meeting 'tight' tolerances. Among the solutions considered by Temco were servo drives and several manufacturers' regen DC drives. The only controller that matched the performance and physical constraints was the Sprint 36OOXRi four quadrant drive. The solution devised by Temco, using Sprint Drives was to pass the wire over a weighted "dancing arm" which pivots around a central point. The output from a non-contact position sensor is used as a demand signal for the Sprint drive. The Sprint 3600XRi's small footprint allowed it to fit into the existing space. All the other alternatives required separate cubicles. As the pay-off stand is moved from strander-to-strander, this would have been impractical. The system is operating very successfully at Temco, providing the required tension characteristics and giving a repeatable, reliable and predictable performance for the stranding machines. top |
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