Belt Conveyor

A device for moving product from one place to another using a continous belt that is rotated by rollers on each end.

Fast Facts

Required Drive Features

Analog I/O

Each application has specific requirements for I/O. Analog I/O is generally used to read process signals and output signals proportional to drive status. Analog I/O is generally Voltage (0-10V) or Current (0(4)-20mA). The type and number required by the application must match the drive.
Requires: A drive with sufficient number and type of analog I/O.

Common Bus

Applications that involve multiple drives or drives controlled by PLC or other supervisory device often require communications via a defined network.
Requires: A drive that has a standard or optional connection to the desired network.

Digital I/O

Each application has specific requirements for I/O. Digital I/O is generally used to control the drive (Start, Stop, Jog, etc.) and annunciate the drive status.
Requires: A drive that offers sufficient I/O and needed flexibility to perform all required func¬tions.

Dynamic Response

High performance applications often demand nearly instant response to changes in speed or torque commands or input status changes. The higher the dynamic response, the more capable the drive is in meeting these demands.
Requires: A drive that meets the response demands.

Long Motor Cable Length

Motors are rated by the manufacturer for the voltage resistance of the insulation system. If this insulation system voltage is too low, voltage reflection from the drive could cause motor failure. This is particularly important if the motor is a long distance from the drive and if the motor is an older motor being retained for the application.
Requires: A drive that has the lowest dv/dt or long cable mode of operation.

Slip Compensation

A squirrel-cage motor slips under load. To compensate for this, the frequency can be increased as the motor torque increases.
Requires: A drive that provides adjustable slip compensation.

Speed Range (30:1)

All applications operate over a given speed range, defined as the ratio of maximum continuous speed to minimum continuous speed.
Requires: A drive that can produce the needed torque and speed torque regulation (accuracy) over the required speed range.

Motor Control Type

Volts per Hertz (V/Hz)

Applications that do not require significantly more torque than the original motor rating can most often be addressed by a drive using V/Hz algorithms. Loads, such as centrifugal fans and pumps or simple conveyors, are difficult to overload and therefore do not require the performance of other motor control algorithms. Simply maintaining a fixed ratio between drive output voltage and frequency is sufficient.
Requires: A drive that offers this motor control method when simple speed control with rated torque is required.

Regulation Type

Speed

Applications that depend on accurate speed to accomplish the task require a drive that can control or 'regulate' speed.
Requires: A drive that regulates speed to the needed accuracy. Methods include open loop, slip compensation and encoder feedback.