Sigmatek has developed its newMDD 2000 multi-axis server system round the OMNIMATE® power hybrid connector from Weidmüller. A sign of perfect partnership and a height of mutual trust. But it was above all the technical advantages of the plug that convinced Sigmatek: The hybrid motor plug-in connector simultaneously connects power, signals plus pluggable EMC shielding.
Which came first: the hen or the egg? Or was the question about the enclosure and the plug? Franz Aschl, Innovation Manager at Sigmatek, has a unique answer to the second question: "It all started with the plug!" The fact that he puts it so clearly is due to the new MDD 2000 multi-axis server system that Sigmatek launched at the end of 2020. Here, the developers set about searching for a suitable plug before deciding on the housing design, the power electronics or the PCB. Weidmüller is delighted with this finding. Because plugs connect and that is the Detmold-based company's profession. "We have made it our mission to always provide the best connection," explains Wolfgang Weidinger, Managing Director of Weidmüller Austria. "This applies to our products just as much as it does to the human connections." And the connection between Sigmatek and Weidmüller has been ready for more than 30 years.
In 2018, Sigmatek started developing the MMD 2000, which represents a leap into the future in terms of miniaturisation. This is also thanks to Weidmüller's OMNIMATE® power hybrid plug-in connectors, which have been used to realise a highly compact design. The DIAS-Drive MDD 2000 series is designed for dynamic multi-axis applications and combines very high power density and modern controller performance. Up to three axes including supply, mains filter, braking resistor and DC link are combined in a space of just 75 x 240 x 219 mm. In addition, the flexible system offers a fast, tool-free module connection and single-cable technology as well as numerous safety functions such as the safe stop functions Safe Torque Off, Safe Stop 1 and Safe Operating Stop as well as Safe Brake Control or Safely-Limited Speed, thus enabling applications up to SIL 3, PL e, Cat. 4. "The single-cable solution in particular was a top priority for us right from the start," explains Aschl.
In addition to cost-effectiveness in procurement, delivery reliability and connectors are particularly important to us, especially in times like these. I appreciate the personal contact with my contacts and the partnership approach at Weidmüller
"In addition to cost-effectiveness in procurement, delivery reliability and connectors are particularly important to us, especially in times like these. I appreciate the personal contact with my contacts and the partnership-based approach at Weidmüller," assures the Innovation Manager. The design of the enclosure for the MMD 2000 was developed around the OMNIMATE® power connector. Delivery reliability was particularly important here: a new plug - even with the necessary technical features and standards - would need a different housing geometry under certain circumstances. This quickly closed the circle of potential suppliers for Sigmatek in favour of Weidmüller. Compared to other components in a long-lasting machine, a plug is a small and inexpensive part, "but a small thing like that shouldn't cause downtime," says Franz Aschl.
But without the necessary technical features, even the best partnership is useless. "The PCB terminals , plug-in connectors and feed-through terminals in the OMNIMATE® Power series are ideal for insertion in power electronics, especially in inverters or servo drives," explains Thomas Kaufmann, Weidmüller contact person for Sigmatek, "They comply with the relevant device standards, such as IEC 61800 for speed-controlled drive technology." The BV / SV 7.62HP hybrid plug-in connector is inserted in the MMD 2000. It is the ideal 3-in-1 solution as it simultaneously connects power, signals and pluggable EMC shielding. Thus you save space on the PCB, on the outer side of the housing, and in the electrical cabinet. The self-snapping one-handed interlock mechanism requires only one plugging step and thus speeds up installation and maintenance procedures. It is easy to handle and interlocks automatically – even in difficult installation positions. The ability to load the machine in production, but above all the ease of handling, were also important for Sigmatek "The so-called construction site suitability must be given. This is because the 'marriage' of the components often only takes place at the customer's premises and it is important that everything is easy to understand and practically self-explanatory," Franz Aschl knows. Another decisive factor in the decision was the coding of the plugs: "You know what it's like: the application pulls out the plugs and then can no longer remember the correct sequence. Thanks to the coding, the plugs only fit where they belong."
Internet of Things, Industry 4.0, digitalisation and Smart Factory are terms that are omnipresent for both Sigmatek and Weidmüller. Sigmatek PLCs have been IoT-ready for 20 years. "IoT is not an end in itself," adds Wolfgang Weidinger. "The added value is always evident in the specific application, regardless of whether it is about increasing energy efficiency or the more efficient insertion of service technicians thanks to remote maintenance." Predictive maintenance is also an issue for Franz Aschl. However, companies still had security concerns until before the coronavirus crisis, which was driving digitalisation. "During the pandemic, many had to allow remote maintenance. Now many companies have realised that it offers advantages. Corona has kick-started digitalisation. And it continues, because the 'Stone Age' awaits in the other direction," says Aschl. Weidmüller is also focussing on the topic of predictive maintenance using automated machine learning. "The AutoML tool enables users to transfer their data and domain knowledge into ML models. The models can be used in existing production environments to provide production workers and other stakeholders in the operation with real-time analyses and insights," says Wolfgang Weidinger. For example, Weidmüller has managed to move from reactive to predictive maintenance of its filter system on the roof of its own electrogalvanised plant in Detmold. Previously, the components were monitored manually or visually. By integrating the data into Weidmüller's Industrial AutoML software, the service inserts can now be planned in a targeted manner or only take place when required.
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