Improved regulations, advanced tools

Parker Hannifin announces a major software release for its PSD family of servo drives, focusing on "intelligent drives." This release offers new control modes, advanced synchronization features, and performance optimizations to improve throughput, accuracy, and system efficiency in demanding industrial applications.

The update includes dedicated torque and force control modes tailored for pressing, crimping, and winding applications. Open-loop torque control dynamically switches between current/torque control and position control based on measured feedback. Force control utilizes a sensor input for highly accurate closed-loop force control, delivering precise, consistent force for sensitive assembly, crimping, or forming tasks.

New gearing and synchronization options expand the capabilities of PSD drives for dynamic applications such as cut-on-fly and continuous handling. The GearInPos function synchronizes a secondary axis to a primary axis using precise positional alignment to achieve a predefined speed exactly at the synchronization point, making it ideal for cutting and indexing applications. The new MoveSuperImposed function is designed for compensating or corrective superimposition during continuous operation, enabling relative superimposed motion on an axis that is already moving. This results in smoother, more flexible multi-axis motion strategies and fewer mechanical compromises.

The software also offers a suite of performance and control enhancements, such as speed and load/torque observers and integrated notch filters, which translate directly into application benefits: improved noise suppression and more efficient power consumption.

In terms of design, the PSD Servo Manager provides more productivity features to accelerate the commissioning and tuning of multiple drives. The new multi-axis tool optimizes the configuration and coordinated drive setup for systems with multiple drives. The integrated signal analyzer enables on-the-fly frequency response measurements, accelerating tuning and validation without the need for additional instruments. Also new is support for CODESYS network variables, facilitating easy data exchange with other devices on the machine network and supporting applications such as condition monitoring.

The PSD series combines compact multi-axis scalability with ease of use. A modular architecture with a central main module and one-, two-, or three-axis modules sharing a DC bus ensures efficient power distribution in multi-axis systems, while a standalone single-axis version offers the same functionality for smaller machines. Design features such as quick-wiring, a standard one-cable feedback solution, reduced cabling requirements, and an integrated SD memory card make installation, maintenance, and device replacement faster and more economical.

"We developed this version to meet the demand for more features and functionality directly within the servo drive, and we are proud of the result," said Markus Gugel, Product Manager, Electric Motion and Pneumatic Division. “Customers will see noticeable improvements in performance, timing, and system efficiency without sacrificing usability.”

This software version is available now for compatible PSD hardware. Customers and machine builders can contact their local Parker representative or dealer for more information about compatibility and detailed release notes.