In multi-axis drives, the individual drives are controlled from the higher-level control systems in such a way as to achieve the desired coordinated movement. This requires cyclic data exchange between the controller and the drives. In previous drive designs, this exchange took place via a field bus, requiring complex installation and configuration. SINAMICS takes a new approach in this respect: A central control module controls the drives for all connected axes and also establishes the technological links between the drives and/or axes. Since all the required data is stored in the central control module, it does not need to be transferred. Inter-axis connections can be established within a Control Unit and easily configured in the STARTER commissioning tool using a mouse.
Each of these Control Units is based on an object-oriented SINAMICS standard firmware, which contains all the most popular control modes and can be scaled to meet even the most advanced performance requirements.
The drive controls are supplied as ready-to-configure drive objects:
The most commonly used V/f control modes are stored in the "Vector control" drive object and are ideal for implementing even simple applications such as group drives with SIEMOSYN motors.
| Closed-loop control types S120 | Open-loop control types S120 | Main functions S120 for booksize/chassis | Comment, note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Vector control |
|
|
| Mixed operation with V/f control modes is possible; it is for this reason that the V/f control modes are stored only once in the "Vector control" drive object Position control can be selected as a function module from both Servo and Vector mode Permanent-magnet 1FW4 synchronous motors can be operated over the complete operating range in Vector control. |
Servo control |
|
|
| Mixed operation with V/f control modes is possible; it is for this reason that the V/f control modes are stored only once in the "Vector control" drive object Position control can be selected as a function module from both Servo and Vector mode. |
A drive object is a self-contained software function with its own parameters and, if necessary, its own fault messages and alarms.
A wide variety of standard functions such as setpoint input, data set changeover, controller optimization, kinetic buffering, etc. ensure a high degree of functional reliability and excellent flexibility when addressing the application.
Every drive object contains a large number of input and output variables which can be freely and independently interconnected using Binector Connector Technology (BICO). A binector is a logic signal which can assume the value 0 or 1. A connector is a numerical value, e.g. the actual speed or current setpoint.
Drive Control Chart (DCC) is an additional option for the easy configuration of technological functions for SINAMICS.
The block library encompasses a large selection of closed-loop, arithmetic and logic blocks, as well as a more comprehensive range of open-loop and closed-loop control functions. The user-friendly DCC Editor enables easy graphics-based configuration, allows control loop structures to be clearly represented and provides a high degree of reusability of diagrams that have already been created. DCC is an add-on to the STARTER commissioning tool.
The functions of the drives are stored on a CompactFlash card. This card contains the firmware and parameter settings for all drives in the form of a project. The CompactFlash card can also hold additional projects, which means that the correct project can be accessed immediately when series machines of different types are commissioned. When the Control Unit has booted, the data on the CompactFlash card is read and loaded to the RAM.
The firmware is organized in objects. Drive objects are used to implement open-loop and closed-loop control functions for Line Modules, Motor Modules, Power Modules and other system components connected by DRIVE-CLiQ.
The Control Units support an extensive range of safety functions.
The integrated safety functions are the Safety Integrated Basic functions
and the Safety Integrated Extended functions that require a license
If the integrated safety functions are used, licenses, supplementary system components such as TM54F Terminal Modules, or suitable safety controls may be necessary.
The time characteristics of input and output variables associated with drive objects can be measured by the integrated trace function and displayed using the STARTER commissioning tool. Several signals can be simultaneously traced. A recording can be triggered as a function of freely selectable boundary conditions, e.g. the value of an input or output variable.