Motion Control & Drives


Every drive you ever wanted

December 2010 Motion Control & Drives

Omron’s RX, JX and MX2 families.

RX – versatile and customisable

The new drives, which are available with ratings up to 132 kW, feature an extensive range of built-in application functions, such as brake control, bypass motor control, orientation stop and automatic energy saving optimisation for fan and pump applications. The RX can handle simple positioning tasks without the need for an external motion controller; among the facilities offered for positioning applications are homing and position teaching. The drives can be switched instantly between speed and position control, as required.

High levels of performance increase the versatility of Omron RX-Series drives. For example, when working in open-loop mode, they offer 200% starting torque at 0,3 Hz and, thanks to patented 0 Hz domain technology; they can produce 150% momentary torque at 0 Hz, allowing them to be used in applications that require zero-speed load holding. In closed-loop mode, full torque is available at 0 Hz.

Other key features include suppression for the micro-surge voltages that, with some drives, can cause malfunctions in 400 V motors, and an integral Modbus RS485 interface as well as DeviceNet and Profibus options that facilitate integration with modern automation systems. In the future, it is planned to allow connection with other popular networks, such as CompoNet and Ethercat.

To minimise lifetime costs for users, the RX-series is designed to offer at least 10&@160;years maintenance-free operation. As a further aid to reliability, they provide an alarm function that warns users if the temperature of the DC bus capacitors rises or if the speed of the cooling airflow falls. To reduce installation space and wiring time, RX-series inverter drives incorporate integrated EMC filters that meet the requirements of EN61800-3, Cat C2.

JX – small and functional

Available in single-phase versions with ratings up to 2,2 kW and three-phase versions with ratings up to 7,5 kW, these compact drives feature integral EMC filters as standard, and provide RS485 Modbus connectivity without the need for additional hardware.

Within the JX series an advanced PWM technology is implemented, also featured is an integral PID function making the drives ideal for use with pumps and fans, complemented by an automatic energy saving feature that maximises cost savings in applications of this type.

When the drives are used in conjunction with Omron PLCs, all of which incorporate Modbus-RTU Easy Master functionality, setting up the network communications is equally straightforward. For maximum economy in appropriate applications, JX drives can store parameter settings for two different motors, allowing them to be switched between the motors as required. JX inverter drives are fully RoHS compliant and free of all banned substances.

MX2 – for machine automation

For motor control, MX2 drives use current vector technology and offer a starting torque of 200% at 0,5 Hz combined with excellent open-loop torque control characteristics. In suitable applications, this allows the drives to be used as a cost-saving alternative to a flux vector or servo drive. The MX2 gives users the power to create smart solutions using logic programming via an intuitive flowchart programming tool. This allows programs with up to 1000 lines of code and with five tasks running in parallel.

Drives can be configured to follow a master speed signal with no additional hardware. Also, the drives can be used for simple positioning tasks without the need for an external position controller. Up to eight positions plus home can be programmed by the user and the drive can be switched between speed and position control as required. To help address machine control safety requirements in line with ISO 13849-1 Cat 3, MX2 drives incorporate two safety inputs and an external device monitoring (EDM) output. This means that the requirement to use dual contactors on the drive output to perform safety functions is eliminated. Modbus RS485 is built-in and option cards are planned for all key Fieldbus networks such as DeviceNet, Profibus and Ethercat. A separate 24 VDC input is standard, and can be used to keep the drive operational in the event of a mains input failure.

Omron MX2 inverter drives for machine applications are available in 200 V single-phase versions with ratings from 0,2 to 2,2 kW, in 200 V three-phase versions with ratings from 0,2 to 15 kW and in 400 V three-phase versions with ratings from 0,4 to 15 kW.

For more information contact Terry Botha, Omron Electronics, 086 066 7661, [email protected],



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