Technology drive , also known as drive systems or industrial automation technology, is a broad field of engineering, that contains all components and systems to control motion and power of machines. Simply put, it is the “muscle” that creates automated motion.
Think of it this way: if the controller (ex. PLC) of the machine is the brain of the system that makes decisions, then the technology drive is the nervous system and muscles that take the command from the brain and make it physical.
The Core Elements of a Drive System
A drive system generally has a few important elements:
Prime Mover (Motor): This is the part that actually produces the motion. It converts electrical energy to mechanical rotation or displacement.
Examples: AC Motors, DC Motors, Servo Motors, Stepper Motors.
Drive Controller (or Inverter): This is the “brain” of the system. It accepts incoming power (usually AC) and converts it to a controlled type of power (variable frequency and voltage) which accurately controls the motor’s speed, torque, and position.
Examples: Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Servo Drives, Stepper Drives.
Transmission Elements: These are mechanical elements transferring the motion from the motor to the end application.
Examples: Gearboxes (to increase torque or change speed), Belts and Pulleys, Chains and Sprockets, Lead Screws and Ball Screws (for linear motion).
Sensors & Feedback Devices: For accurate control, the system needs to know what the motor is actually doing. Sensors feedback the controller with what is happening in real time.
Examples: Encoders (to determine position and speed), Resolvers, Tachometers.
The Principal Drive Types
There are several principal type of drives that all have different functions:
- Electric Drives: The most common & utilized of them in shops, etc. with the use of electric motors to provide motion.
- Variable Frequency Drive (VFD): VFD’s are used for control of simple AC motors for torque and speed. VFD’s are ideal for pumps, fans, conveyor belts, etc. VFD’s are mostly used on applications where controlling position of an output is not paramount, but rather providing energy savings to other functions.
- Servo Drive: Servo Drives are used in conjunction of high performance servo motors. Servo drives are nice as they provide extreme control of position, speed and torque, for example, can be utilized with robotics, CNC application and sometimes even developing packaging automation.
- Stepper Drive: Stepper drives are utilized in conjunction with stepper motors, which as a nomenclature stepper motors operate in discrete amount of “steps”. Stepper drives are incredible for applications demanding pf precise position feedback but at a range of cost lower than servo drive capabilities or performance. Stepper motors, with regards to output torque will not handle the same high speed as servo systems can be identified at applications such as 3D printers, scanners and small CNC’s).
- Hydraulic Drives: Hydraulic systems use pressurized fluid to generate massive force and torque in applications. This approach is highly suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Examples: Excavators, industrial presses, garbage trucks.
Pneumatic Drives: Pneumatic systems use energized compressed air at higher pressure to generate a fast, clean motion within applications. Pneumatic drives are often associated when simply easy, faster actions are sufficient and do not require high precision and not much required thinking.
Examples: Pick-and-place robots, clamping, valve actuation.
Why is Technology Drive So Useful?
Technology drive serves as the backbone to automation and industry for many reasons:
Precision/Control: It allows for extremely precise control of motion, thus enabling complex manufacturing and robotics.
Energy Efficiency: For example, variable frequency drives (VFDs) can cut the energy consumption of motors and generators by 20% to 50% simply by matching the motor speed to what the load requires (rather than being in full speed all the time).
Process Improvement: More precise speed or torque control yields a higher quality product, more production rates, and less waste.
Soft Start/Stopping: Drives or controllers can ramp the motor to speed and bring it down slowly, thereby putting less stress on the machine components and preventing power surges.
Automation/Flexibility: Drives can be considered the backbone to Industry 4.0 technology because they empower smart, connected, and easy re-configurable production lines.
To summarize, technology drive is the engineered system that enables controlled motion in machines. It is arguably the invisible, but most important force behind everything in our modern life from the fan in your laptop, to the most advanced robot found in an industrial setting driving efficiency, control, and automation.
