Electrical Drive

The electrical machines are used as the prime mover to achieve the
operational movements of a machine tool. But the performance
characteristic of the driving motor is to satisfy not only the operational
conditions but also the requirements of controlling the machine tools. If a
clutch is set between the motor and the gearbox, the motor can be started
under no-load condition. In its absence, a high starting torque s required to
overcome the resistance and the inertia. According to the operational
movement and the kinematic linkage, the driving motor may have to run:

• 1. at a constant speed
• 2. at two constant speeds (maximum and minimum )one low speed for
operating condition and the other high speed for quick motion
• 3. with stepped variable speed
• 4. with infinitely variable speed
• 5. in forward or reverse direction
onditions but also the requirements of controlling the machine tools. If a clutch is set between the motor and the gearbox, the motor can be started under no-load condition. In its absence, a high starting torque s required to overcome the resistance and the
Parts of an Electric Drive:
The different parts &their functions are explained here

The load: Can be any one of the systems like pumps, machines etc to carry out a specific task. Usually the load
requirements are specified in terms of its speed/torque demands. An electrical motor having the torque speed
characteristics compatible to that of the load has to be chosen.
Power Converter:
 Converts Electrical energy from the source into a form suitable to the motor. Say AC to DC for a DC motor and
DC to AC for an Induction motor.
 Controls the flow of power to the motor so as to get the Torque Speed characteristics as required by the load.
 During transient operations such as Starting, Braking, Speed reversal etc.
limits the currents to permissible levels to avoid conditions such as Voltage dips, Overloads etc.
  Selects the mode of operation of the Motor i.e Motoring or Braking
Control unit/Sensing unit: The control unit controls the operation of the Power converter based on the
Input command and the feedback signal continuously obtained from a suitable point (In a closed loop
operation) at the load end so as to get the desired load performance. The sensor unit gets the feedback on
voltage and current also to operate the motor within its safe operating conditions. Because of the above
advantages, in several applications like Diesel locomotives, Ships etc. the mechanical energy already
available from a nonelectrical prime mover is first converted into electrical energy by a generator
and then An Electric Drive is used as explained above.
Electrical Motors: most commonly used motors are DC motors – Shunt, Series
,Compound etc., AC motors- Suirrelcage & Slip ring induction motors, Special
motors like Brushless DC motors, stepper motors etc.
DC motors have a number of disadvantages compared to Induction motors due to
the presence of commutator and brushes. Squirrel cage motors are less costly
than DC motors of the same rating, highly rugged and simple. In the earlier days
because of easy speed control DC motors were used in certain applications. But
with the development in Power electronics and the advantages of AC motors AC
drives have become more popular in several applications in present days.
Electrical Motors:
Most commonly used motors are DC motors – Shunt, Series ,Compound etc.,
AC motors- Suirrel cage & Slip ring induction motors,
Special motors like Brushless DC motors, stepper motors etc.
According to the operational movement and the kinematic linkage, the driving motor may have to run:
of controlling the machine tools. If a clutch is set between the motor and the gearbox, the motor can be started
under no-load condition
The selection of a motor as a machine tool drive depends on:

1. The starting characteristics

2. The requirement of speed regulation. For example, for economic condition it is necessary to keep the
spindle speed reasonably constant (or varying continuously ).
3. The torque and the power characteristics with respect to the shaft speed. The motor should able to supply
the required torque and the power at a selected cutting speed.
• 4. The cost economy. The motor should cost as minimum as possible.
• 5. The need to breaking (rapid stopping, inching etc.). To avoid any accident it may be necessary to stop the
machine tools moving elements quickly. Or for the exact location of a tool in relation to the job it is
sometimes desired to move the elements at a very slow speed.
• 6. The dynamic (or vibration ) characteristics. The vibration results in rough surface and shorter tool life.
• 7. The available electrical energy ( for AC system power factor as well )
• 8. The efficiency, including the operating condition.
• 9. The robustness of the motor. It should demand less maintenance.
Induction machines are most common prime movers for machine tools.
motor, built-in-motors etc.).

he working conditions also influence the selection of an electric motor. They are, for example, open,
protected. Splash-proof, dust free motors and the possibility to assemble it in a machine tool (flange
Parts of an Electric Drive
• The different parts &their functions are explained here.

Voltage /current supply

• In different Industrial and domestic application it is required to control the
speed of the motor as per the application demands. Controlling speed means
controlling motion and the arrangement used for it is called drive system. If the
drive is using electronic components then it called electric drive system.
• Since every electrical drive system has energy(voltage or current ) source so
controlling speed means controlling power .
• Then we have power modulator to convert the power as per requirement .a s
source energy is not always required to run the load
• There is one sensing unit and one controlling unit.
• In open loop system there is no feedback
• But in close loop some parameters are feeded in the otput side to input side
• As motor speed is going to drive the load. And sensing unit is connected be tween
the motor and load which basically sense the speed and transfers it to the power
modulator that how much it needs to modulate.
• Suppose if are controlling the speed of the turbine the speed can get feedbacked from
the sensing unit and transfers to control unit where there is already a reference value
or set speed which should be supply by the load to the motor for efficient operation.
• In control unit the comparison is made between the reference value and feedbacked
value.
• Suppose If the reference value is smaller than the sense speed than negative error
send from control unit to the power modulator as control signal to modulate the
speed of the motor.
• If otherwise happens then send positive signal .
Classification of electrical drive
• Classification
Electrical drive/motor can be classified as follows

*Central drive
In this system every shop has a central electrical motor. Through the overhead
shaft(s) the power is supplied to different machine tools.

Advantages:
1. Motor is more or less evenly loaded and has a maximum capacity utilization.
2. Cost economy. On motor of more power costs less than many motors of less
capacity.
Disadvantages:
3. All the machine tools remain idle, if the motor is out of commission.
4. The system does not allow very long distance transmission.
5. It creates space problem, because of line shaft and the belt drives.
*Individual drive

Modern machine tools are only run by individual drives. In the developing
countries older workshops have still central drive, because of lower investment
cost.
Direct current is not usually available. Hence D.C. motors are used only under
special conditions.
Three phase squirrel cage induction motor is most widely used. It has a high
starting torque. Under normal operating conditions its speed remains nearly
constant (3-6% slip). Its direction of rotating can be reversed by interchanging two
phases.
 Multi-speed Electrical Motors
The speed of an AC motor is given by
n= 60×f /p
where, n=Motor speed (rpm)
f=Frequency of alternating current (Hz)
p=Number of pair of poles
o The stator is wound in such a way that the number of
poles can be changed

o The pole changeable motors can be designed for

constant torque or constant horsepower over the whole
speed range

o Very high speeds in machine tools can be attained by

changing the frequency
 Ward leonard set
o Infinitely variable speed is attained by Ward-Leonard set

o An induction machine drives the DC generator and the

exciter which provides DC supply of the main motor
driving the machine tool.
o By changing the value of resistance, the excitation
current of the DC generator can be changed from –
i(max)to +i(max)

o Thus the generator DC voltage of machine B varies

from –V(max)+V(max)

o The speed of the motor can hence be changed

continuously from –n(max)to + n(max) and at a
constant torque (for a given value of field F)

o If the field F is Weakened, it is possible to increase the

speed of the motor further at constant power output
 Power and torque variation to the speed

Advantages
o Uniform speed regulation
o Infinite number of speed can be achieved
Applications
Disadvantages o Rolling mill
o High investment cost o Big lifts
o Overall efficiency of the set is o Material handling
low machines