Lenze updates Drive Solutions Designer

The new version 3.0 of the Lenze Drive Solutions Designer (DSD) is said to take drive optimisation to a new level.

The company says: "It is capable of analysing motion profiles from simple point-to-point to complex cam profiles or dynamic reversing. Multiple axes can be evaluated on the same timescale using inverter drives, servo drives or a mix of the two.

"A new energy efficiency analysis predicts the energy cost at each element of the drive, for example the inverter, the motor, and the gearbox, making transparent the energy efficiency. It is then easy to make changes and optimise the energy costs.

"Often large amounts of energy are wasted with drives that are oversized. Designers who are uncertain of performance naturally add service factors."

The result can be excessive inertias and motors running inefficiently at partial loads. With the Lenze DSD 3.0 it is possible to accurately size the drive, neither too big nor too small.

Standard machine applications are built into the program from simple cases like conveyors to complex positioning such as flying shears. Graphic displays make plain how a selected drive fits to the required performance. Alternative selections can be compared. All this can be done for multiple axes with outputs that include graphs for position, speed and current consumption.

The new DSD 3.0 also makes it possible to determine and analyse the total energy requirement including lifetime costs. Screen graphics show the losses at each element in the drive train.