Tag: Unidrive

Unidrive SP SM-EZ Motion HF Trips

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Unidrive SP SM-EZ Motion HF Trips

This guide is meant to help clear SM-EZ Motion HF Trips on a Unidrive SP drive from Emerson Control Techniques. The SM-EZ motion module is used with SP drives and is programmed using Power Tools Pro. It allows users to create specific motion profiles such as indexing, home routines, electronic gearing, and many others.

An HF (hardware fault) can be generated by the drive if there is a problem with the solutions module. The drive will display the trip as SLX.HF. It is sometimes possible to correct this trip without replacing the module. The EZ Motion program in the module may become corrupt which can cause this type of trip. Clearing the program and setting the module back to factory settings may resolve the trip. Before clearing the module a drive reset and power cycle should be performed.

They could correct the trip as well.

unidrive sp
Module Clearing Procedure

1. Ensure the module is installed in any slot

2. Enter 19237 at #18.01

3. Cycle power to the drive

4. The drive will trip SLX.ER on power up. This is a 107 “No Program” trip

5. Press the red reset button to clear the SLX.ER trip

6. Reload your EZ Motion program back into the drive.

The HF trip could be resolved at this point.

MRO Electric supplies and repairs a large number of Control Techniques Unidrive SP parts. To request a quote, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Testing a UNI1402 Unidrive

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Testing a UNI1402 Unidrive

Video of part of the testing process for a UNI1402 Unidrive classic.

Be sure to check out our article covering details to maintain Unidrive Classic and Unidrive SP drives here.

MRO Electric and Supply maintains a comprehensive stock of new and used  Control Techniques Unidrive and Control Techniques Unidrive Classic SP parts. If you need a replacement part, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Testing a UNI3404 Drive

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unidrive classic

Testing a UNI3404 Drive

Before we ship out all of our Unidrives, we fully test them to make sure everything is functioning properly. Here is an example of one of the UNI3404 Drive units that we have in stock being powered up and tested. We have all sizes of the Unidrive Classic series in stock and ready to ship if need be. Check out our repair service as well as our core exchange program.

Check out our article covering details to maintain Unidrive Classic and Unidrive SP drives here. 

MRO Electric and Supply maintains a comprehensive stock of new and used  Control Techniques Unidrive and Control Techniques Unidrive Classic SP parts. If you need a replacement part, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.
Unidrive Classic

Unidrive Classic HF Trip Codes: HF82, HF83, HF84, HF88

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unidrive classic

Unidrive Classic HF Trip Codes: HF82, HF83, HF84, HF88

HF82 – Large option module missing:
The trip would be expected if one of the UD7x large option modules is removed while
the Drive is powered up. If this trip occurs at any other time than the case above, then
there is a problem with either the large option module or the UD90A control PCB.

HF83 – Power Board Code Failure:
This trip means that the UD90A control PCB could not recognize the power rating of
the power PCB it is connected to.
On Unidrive Sizes 1 to 4, the trip is probably due to the power PCB in the Drive but a
problem with the UD90A control PCB could also cause this trip.
On a Unidrive Size 5 the trip is caused by either UD99 PCB or the UD90A PCB. The
interconnects between the PCBs could also cause this trip and should be checked.

HF84 -Current Offset Trim Failure:
This trip means there is a problem with the current feedback on the Drive.
On Unidrive Sizes 1 to 4, the trip is probably due to the power PCB in the Drive but a
problem with the UD90A control PCB could also cause this trip.
On a Unidrive Size 5 the trip is cause by either UD99 PCB or the UD90A PCB. The
interconnects between the PCBs could also cause this trip and should be checked.

HF88 – Watchdog Failure:
This trip can result from a faulty UD7x Co-Processor.
With power off, remove Co-Processor and re-apply
power.
Hardware Faults are typically fatal. If powering down and letting the drive sit for 5
minutes before re-application of Power does not clear the HF Fault it would require
Drive repair.

MRO Electric stocks new and refurbished Classic Unidrives. We also provide pre-priced Control Techniques repairs. For more information or to request a quote, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Control Techniques Unidrives and Environmental Responsibility

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Control Techniques Unidrive

Control Techniques Unidrives and Environmental Responsibility

Control Techniques is committed to minimizing the environmental impacts of their manufacturing operations and of their products throughout their life cycle. To this end, they operate an Environmental Management System (EMS) which is certified to the International Standard ISO 14001. Further information on the EMS, their Environmental Policy, and other relevant information is available on request or can be found at www.greendrives.com.

The electronic variable-speed drive manufactured by Control Techniques (such as the Control Techniques UNI1405) have the potential to save energy and reduce raw material consumption and scrap throughout their long working life through increase machine/process efficiency. In typical applications, these positive environmental effects far outweigh the negative impacts of product manufacture and end-of-life disposal.

Nevertheless, when the products eventually reach the end of their useful life, they can be very easily dismantled into their major components for efficient recycling. Many parts snap together and can be separated without the use of tools, whilst other parts are secured with conventional screws. Virtually all parts of the product are suitable for recycling.

Product packaging is of good quality and can be re-used. Large products are packaged in wooden crates; whilst smaller products come in strong cardboard cartons which themselves have a high recycled fiber content. If not re-used, these containers can be recycled. Polyethylene, used on the protective film and bags for wrapping product, can be recycled in the same way. Control Techniques’ packaging strategy favors easily-recyclable materials of low environmental impact, and regular reviews identify opportunities for improvements which are consistently being made.

When preparing to recycle or dispose of any product or packaging, please observe local legislation and best practice.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Control Techniques products available. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.

Unidrive SP AC Drives Used in Belgian Theme Park Ride

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Unidrive SP AC Drives Used in Belgian Theme Park Ride

Wondering what Control Techniques Unidrive SP Drives are actually used for? Well here’s a pretty cool application for those of you that enjoy theme parks. This zero-gravity ride at the Walibi Theme Park in Belgium was recently refurbished using Unidrive SP Drives. Previously, the ride had been using Unidrive Classic Drives to run the motors which hoisted riders over 250 feet in the air.

emerson drives on rides
Dalton Terror Ride powered by Unidrive SP Drives

More information about the retrofit:

The drop tower is based at the Walibi theme park; the ride is a round tower of 77m in height and has five rows of seats, each with four-person capacity, in a ring around the tower.

The seats, weighing 1.5 tonnes empty, are hoisted by speed-controlled Leroy Somer geared motors to the top of the tower, where they are released to drop in freefall at a maximum speed of 110km/hr, generating complete weightlessness.

Magnetic current brakes that comprise permanent magnets fitted in the seats generating powerful Foucault currents in the metallic frame of the tower provide fault-free guaranteed braking, independent of the power supply, bringing the ride to a safe slow speed with hydraulic shock absorbers providing the final soft stop at the base.

This, Control Techniques said, makes the ride a ’zero-risk’ attraction.

The Dalton Terror was originally installed in the park in 1998 and featured the previous Classic Unidrives to haul the seats to the top of the tower.

Compagnie des Alpes has been investing heavily in the upgrading of many of the rides, with the accent heavily on safety.

When it decided to refurbish the Dalton Terror, the precise movement of speed profile of the previous Control Techniques drives was a key factor in the selection of the latest-generation of AC drives and five heavy-duty 75kW Unidrive SPs, operating in closed-loop flux vector mode, were fitted as part of the total renewal of the control panels.

Signals from encoders fitted to each of the Leroy Somer LSMV motors feed back to the drives and, using SM Universal Encoder Plus option modules, are re-transmitted to the PLCs that control the safety of the whole process.

Here’s a video of the ride in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agSTlMNbPpQ

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Control Techniques parts available including the Unidrive and Unidrive SP series. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com

8 Standard Unidrive Macros for Uni2403 or any Classic UniDrive

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control techniques unidrive

8 Standard Unidrive Macros for Uni2403 or any Classic UniDrive

Here at MRO Electric, we get a lot of questions about Unidrive Macros for the legacy Classic drives. This post explains the 8 available macros for programming a Uni2403 or another Unidrive part. You can refer to the product manual for the parameters common to all of these macros. This table shows the available Unidrive macros and their codes:

TypeDescription
FaultsWhat happens when a fault occurs?
- The appropriate fault reaction is initiated
- Status signal ZSW1.3 is set.
- The fault is entered in the fault buffer.

How are faults eliminated?
- Remove the original cause of the fault
- Acknowledge the fault
AlarmsWhat happens when an alarm occurs?
- Status signal ZSW1.7 is set.
- Alarms are "Self Acknowledging" meaning they are reset when the cause of the alarm has been eliminated.

Now that you know the code for each macro, here’s a little information about how you would use each one:

Macro 1 – Easy Mode

The Easy mode macro for Unidrive classic gives the simplest operation of the drive for basic applications. It is identical to the default condition except that menu 0 has fewer parameters.

Macro 2 – Motorised potentiometer

The Motorised potentiometer macro enables the drive’s own internal motorized potentiometer to control the speed of the drive via digital inputs. A digital input selects between an analog speed reference and the motorized potentiometer reference.

Macro 3 – Preset frequencies/speeds

The Preset reference Unidrive macro enables the use of preset references to control the speed of the motor via digital inputs. A digital input selects between an analog speed reference and the present references.

Macro 4 – Torque control

The Torque control macro configures the drive for use in Torque control mode, selectable via a digital input. Analog input 1 is configured for the torque reference. When in speed control analog 2 is the speed reference. When in torque control with the drive in closed loop mode analog input 2 is the speed override reference. Enabling torque mode with the drive-in open loop mode will put the drive into pure torque control. In closed loop mode, the drive will be put into torque control with speed override.

Macro 5 – PID (set-point control)

The PID control macro enables the drive’s own internal PID controller to control the speed of the motor. Analog input 1 is configured for the main speed reference, analog input 2 is the PID reference and analog input 3 is the PID feedback. A digital input selects between an analog speed reference and the PID control.

Macro 6 – Axis-limit control

The Axis limit control macro configures the drive for use with limit switches so that the drive is stopped when a position limit has been reached. The speed reference can be either unipolar or bipolar.

Macro 7 – Brake control

The brake control macro configures the drive to apply or release a mechanical brake on a motor in a crane or hoist application. The drive issues a brake release signal via a digital output when the relevant conditions are met.

Macro 8 – Digital lock/shaft orientation

^Only available in closed loop vector or servo operating modes.

Digital lock:

The drive operates as a slave in a closed loop master-slave system. The slave motor is digitally locked to the master motor.

Shaft orientation:

The motor speed is controlled in the same way as for default operation, but the motor shaft can be orientated to a specified angular position before and/or after running the motor.

MRO Electric and Supply has new and refurbished Control Techniques parts available including Control Techniques Unidrive and Unidrive SP series. We also offer repair pricing. For more information, please call 800-691-8511 or email sales@mroelectric.com.