(l-r) Jesse Stuller, WCTC Automation Systems Technology Instructor; Denine Rood, WCTC Vice President - Learning; Robert Novak, WCTC Associate Dean - Manufacturing; Michael Shiels, WCTC Dean - School of Applied Technologies; Dennis Miller, ABB Sr. Technical Instructor; Aaron Aleithe, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Drives and Controls, USA; Keith Jurkowski, WCTC Automation Systems Technology Instructor; Barbara Prindiville, WCTC President; and James Schabowski, WCTC Automation Systems Technology Instructor
Delivery of eight new motor drives democases, donated by ABB Inc. to Waukesha County Technical College's Automation Technologies/Electronics Laboratory, "enables us to upgrade our labs and gives students enhanced hands-on training with the latest available drives technology," said Jesse Stuller, automation instructor and supporter of industry-academic support programs at WCTC. "Our goal is to provide the highest quality education to our students. Our partnership with industry provides the avenue to accomplish that goal."
The drives democases are from the new ACS880 high performance DTC product line. "These units provide a simple yet comprehensive all-in-one solution that is specialized for training and learning," said Dennis Miller, ABB Sr. Technical Instructor, who arranged the donation. "The democases facilitate a complete application simulation." Democases from the company that feature older technology have been in use over the past 15 years, he noted, so this upgrade keeps the Automation Technologies Program current with latest technology that ABB offers end users.
Self-Contained Labs
Because the drives are easy to use, they are ideal for students to use, program and test as they become familiar with drive technology. The drive is connected to a small motor and has an external input/output control panel wired to the analog inputs, digital inputs, digital outputs and analog outputs. Students can fully simulate use of controls for any given application and spin the motor just as it would work in a real application. The whole gamut of applications can be simulated, from very basic speed-control applications to more complex torque-control applications.
The ABB ACS880 series also facilitates the students learning about serial communications and PC interfacing. The basic drives are ideal for learning how to make parameter adjustments and how to incorporate drives into electronics projects/applications. Also, the drive offers networking capability to DeviceNet and other communication module protocols so students can see and understand how computers are used in industrial environments. Programming and monitoring of the drive also can be accomplished via specific PC/Drive software. Students will program the drives and operate motors that simulate real-world installations and loads. Beyond an introduction to the technology, they drill into the equipment's performance characteristics in order to understand what control features they will be able to access, modify and offer customers in the workplace. The ACS880 democase can be used to teach and illustrate complete motor control.
Benefits of Using Drives
Adjustable Speed Drives (ASDs) are used in any application in which there is mechanical equipment powered by motors. The drives provide precise electrical motor control so motor speeds can be ramped up and down, and maintained, at speeds required. Doing so utilizes only the energy required rather than having a motor run at constant (fixed) speed and utilizing excess energy. These benefits help motor users realize 25 - 70% energy savings, according to ABB. Using an AC drive also prolongs the operation of small motors and reduces wear and tear in installations.
The Automation Technology Program at Waukesha County Technical College began in 2006. The Associate Degree program contains industrial technologies such as robotics, PLCs and drives.
For more information contact:
ABB
16250 W. Glendale Drive
New Berlin, WI 53151
262-785-3200
www.abb.com
Waukesha County Technical College
800 Main Street
Pewaukee, WI 53072
262-691-5566
www.wctc.edu