Logix: Revolutionizing High Power Motor Drive Solutions for the Industrial Market
Logix Sales & Marketing, Inc
Logix provides technical sales and marketing services to the electronics industry.
In the realm of industrial automation and control systems, Logix has consistently demonstrated its capability to deliver tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of various industries. Leveraging partnerships with leading manufacturers such as Methode Electronics , Nichicon (America) Corporation , LEM , and Fuji Electric Corp. of America , Logix Sales & Marketing, Inc , Inc excels in providing high power motor drive solutions. This article explores how Logix helped a customer design a motor drive system exceeding 100 hp by integrating components from their principal manufacturing partners.
Understanding High Power Motor Drives
High power motor drive solutions are crucial in industries where robust and efficient systems are required to manage heavy machinery. Motors over 100 hp are common, and controlling these requires advanced technology to ensure reliability, efficiency, and safety. Logix's approach involves a thorough understanding of the customer’s requirements, selecting the appropriate components, and designing a cohesive system that performs optimally under challenging conditions.
Methode: Enhancing Connectivity and Efficiency
Liquid Cooled Chill Plates and Custom Busbars
Methode, a leader in power distribution solutions, made significant contributions to the high-power motor drive project through their innovative liquid-cooled chill plates and custom busbars. Methode's liquid-cooled chill plates are designed to provide superior thermal management by efficiently dissipating heat from high power motor drive systems. This technology ensures that the systems operate within optimal temperature ranges, enhancing both reliability and performance. The redesign of these chill plates focuses on maximizing cooling efficiency, crucial for the demanding conditions in industrial operations.
Methode's liquid-cooled chill plates utilize advanced cooling techniques to remove excess heat from critical components, preventing overheating and extending the lifespan of the equipment. These plates are particularly beneficial in high-power applications where heat dissipation is a major concern. Methode employs raised and friction stir welding technology in the fabrication of these chill plates, which enhances their structural integrity and thermal performance. The advanced welding methods provide better thermal contact and minimize the risk of leaks, ensuring reliable operation in demanding industrial environments. The integration of these chill plates allowed the motor drive system to maintain optimal performance even under heavy loads and high temperatures.
Additionally, Methode prides itself on its vertically integrated approach, maintaining complete control over the manufacturing process, from raw material sourcing to final assembly and test.? For example, metal fabrication processes include laser and water jet cutting, CNC machining, forming, brazing, welding, in-house plating (including gold), lamination, and powder coating.
By combining precision (in-house) engineering with innovative manufacturing techniques, including automated robotics, Methode produces products that meet the stringent requirements of their customers. Methode’s busbars are custom designed and produced in North America for high power applications (even when high volumes are required), with additional global manufacturing capabilities.
Methode is an excellent partner for busbars, with features including:
By integrating Methode's liquid-cooled chill plates and custom busbars, the high-power motor drive application achieved enhanced thermal management and electrical efficiency, leading to improved overall system performance.
Nichicon: Leading the Charge with Superior Capacitors
Quality Control and Customization
Nichicon, one of the largest capacitor manufacturers in the world, brought their unparalleled quality control and customization capabilities to the motor drive project. Their manufacturing process for aluminum electrolytic capacitors starts with the etching and forming of aluminum foil to increase surface area and increase capacitance, followed by precise layered winding of the cathode and anode foils. This meticulous process, combined with rigorous quality control checks, results in capacitors that meet the specific demands of high-power motor drives. Nichicon’s ability to customize their products allows Logix to deliver a capacitor that meets the exact specifications required by the customer.
Nichicon's capacitors are known for their durability and performance under high-stress conditions, making them ideal for applications that demand high reliability. Nichicon's extensive experience in capacitor technology ensured that the high-power motor drive system maintains consistent performance even under fluctuating load conditions. Their capacitors provide the necessary energy storage and discharge capabilities, crucial for the smooth operation of high-power motors. By integrating Nichicon's capacitors into the motor drive system, Logix was able to enhance the system's overall reliability and efficiency.
LEM: Precision Current Sensors
Advanced Current Sensing Solutions
LEM, a global leader in current sensing technology, provided essential components for the high-power motor drive project with their advanced current sensors. LEM's sensors are designed to measure current with high precision, which is critical for the accurate control and monitoring of high-power motors. Their sensors utilize innovative transducer technology to ensure reliable and accurate current measurement across various applications.
LEM offers a broad range of current sensors, from small to large, capable of handling different current levels with high accuracy. Their product range includes sensors that can measure currents from a few milliamps to tens of thousands of amps, making them suitable for a wide variety of applications. For the high-power motor drive application, Logix selected a specific sensor from LEM that came in a smaller package size to accommodate space constraints without compromising performance. This flexibility allowed Logix to integrate a solution that not only met the space requirements but also provided the necessary accuracy and reliability for the motor drive system.
LEM's current sensors are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, ensuring consistent performance even in the challenging environment of a complex industrial operation. The sensors' ability to provide accurate and real-time current measurements enabled the motor drive system to operate efficiently and safely, preventing potential issues such as overcurrent conditions and electrical faults.
Fuji: High-Performance IGBTs
Advanced IGBT Modules
Fuji Electric's 7th generation IGBT (Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor) modules were integral to the high power motor drive solution. Fuji Electric’s 7th generation IGBT technology enables high-performance IGBT modules in a compact design greater power output, making them ideal for demanding industrial applications. The modules are also environmentally friendly, with solder-free options and RoHS compliance, simplifying assembly and ensuring adherence to environmental standards.
The 7th generation technology turn-on switching characteristics include an improved noise-loss trade-off, reduced turn-on dv/dt, and excellent turn-on di/dt, which contribute to more efficient and reliable performance. The turn-off switching characteristics are equally impressive, featuring soft switching behavior and oscillation-free turn-off, which enhance the stability and longevity of the motor drive system. By incorporating Fuji Electric’s advanced 7th generation IGBT modules, Logix was able to deliver a solution that offered superior power handling, thermal management, and overall performance.
Fuji's IGBT modules are designed to handle high power levels while maintaining low power losses, which is crucial for the efficiency of the motor drive system. The modules' ability to operate at higher junction temperatures allows them to perform reliably in the harsh conditions of an industrial environment. This advanced 7th generation IGBT technology ensured that the motor drive system could sustain heavy loads and continuous operation without overheating or failing.
Logix: Expertise in Component Selection and System Design
Guiding Customers to a Solution
Logix Sales & Marketing, Inc , Inc’s value proposition lies in its deep understanding of customer requirements and the ability to select the right components to achieve end goals. For the industrial customer, Logix conducted a thorough analysis of the application requirements, including power needs, environmental conditions, and operational constraints. This comprehensive understanding allowed Logix to recommend and integrate the best products from Methode Electronics, Nichicon (America) Corporation, LEM, and Fuji Electric Corp. of America.
Logix's team of experts worked closely with the customer to identify the specific challenges and objectives of the high-power motor drive application. This collaborative approach ensured that every aspect of the motor drive system was tailored to meet the unique demands of the application, resulting in a solution that was both effective and efficient.
Logix's commitment to customer satisfaction extends beyond the initial design and implementation. The company offers ongoing support and maintenance services to ensure the long-term success of the motor drive system. This comprehensive approach helps customers achieve their operational goals while minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.
Logix's collaboration with top-tier manufacturers has enabled it to deliver exceptional high power motor drive solutions tailored to the specific needs of its customers. In the industrial market, where the demand for robust and efficient motor drive systems is critical, Logix’s expertise and strategic partnerships have proven invaluable. By integrating advanced components from Methode, Nichicon, LEM, and Fuji, Logix has provided a solution that enhances operational efficiency, reliability, and safety. This case exemplifies how Logix’s comprehensive approach to understanding customer requirements and leveraging partnerships can lead to successful outcomes in complex industrial applications.
Logix continues to innovate and evolve, staying at the forefront of technology to provide cutting-edge solutions for various industries. With a focus on quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, Logix is poised to tackle the most challenging projects and deliver outstanding results.
For more information on how Logix can help with your high-power drive needs, contact us today. Our team of experts is ready to assist you with your system design challenges and provide solutions that meet your specific requirements.