The machine is controlled by a C400 PacDrive controller from Elau (wwww.elau.com), and the 15 servo modules are from Elau’s PacDrive iSH Series of Intelligent Servo Modules.
“The servo motor and drive are integrated into a single unit,” says Joe Faust, electrical engineering manager at Douglas. “This arrangement was especially attractive on this particular machine for a couple of reasons. First, the Invex is positioned as a reduced-footprint machine where reduced cabinet space is essential. Having the drive integrated with the motor rather than having the drive back in the control cabinet helps us keep the machine footprint small. Excluding the infeed conveyoring, it measures about 11.5 x 6 feet. You could fit it in a typical office cube.
“The Invex is also positioned as a lower-cost model. With motor and drive combined, you get a simplified wiring scheme that takes cost out of our manufacturing process.”
Faust also points out that the programming architecture on the Invex is PackML-compliant. “That leads to modularity in design and standards in software and hardware that reduce engineering programming time, so again it takes costs out.”
