Pioneering servo drive is on a roll

The world`s largest manufacturer of motorised roller drives, Swiss-based Interroll, has developed what it claims is the world`s first servomotor-controlled roller drive. Called the IntelliDrive, it is aimed at roller applications that demand precise, dynamic performance.

Previously, Interroll relied on frequency inverters, including vector-based models, to improve the performance of its roller drives. But these systems could be complicated, especially when external encoders were needed for positioning applications.

About two years ago, Interroll decided that servo prices had fallen far enough to make servo-driven rollers practical. It joined forces with the Danish company, JVL Industri Elektronik, which specialises in servo motors with integrated control electronics. The compact design of JVL`s MAC motors meant that they could replace standard AC motors with few adjustments.

Beta-testing of the new roller drive earlier this year confirmed that it was easy to install and could compete with traditional drive technologies. There was particular interest from the packaging and food processing industries.

Interroll has now begun to supply commercial versions. Initial applications include:

• indexing of automatic sewing machines;

• positioning in meat-slicing machinery, where the improved accuracy is delivering better yields;

• torque and positioning control in machinery used to fold bed linen, resulting in smaller, cheaper machines; and

• accurate velocity and torque control in dynamic weighing machines.