ME needs crash course in motor/control selection for projects

[engineer84]

I am an ME that just moved from a very large company where we had several EE's and we worked together on projects, I did the mechanical and of course the EE's selected all the motors and control systems. Now I have joined a very small company as a project manager/designer, and I need to learn to select the motors and control systems. We will probably outsource the programming and final electrical work, but I need to know enough to generate some accurate proposals and quotes. The electrical systems are pretty simple most of the time. Think garage door opener type stuff, push a button, something moves to a limit switch and stops. Push the other button it moves back. Sometimes they have to move pretty fast though. I'm not sure when to use an AC motor and limit switches, a DC motor or a Servo with full controls....

Is anyone aware of any books, web sites or simminars that might get me started in the right direction?

Thanks

 

[EEIre]

Some good general sites are:

http://www.drives.co.uk/

http://www.motorcontrol.com/

http://www.siemens-industry.co.uk/

http://www.abb.com/global/abbzh/abb...17ec2&e=us&c=B8C8356383489150C1256CE0004E0BD0

 

[QUAVIET]

The hardest thing I had to learn about motor controls was if it was a two wire or a three wire system. This is something every electrician should know. All the books talk about it but do not fully explain. A two wire control has a pull on/ push off. A three wire control has momentary pushbuttons. It is that simple. I was very green once. Bob

 

[jbartos]

Suggestion: Visit

http://www.wkap.nl/prod/b/0-306-44698-7

http://www.cjdirectory.com/company-1035463.html

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0070359717?v=glance

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/007072332X?v=glance

http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomf...lications%22&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2F

http://www.estec.esa.nl%2Fgpqwww%2F...esa.nl/gpqwww/training/materials/1229msfc.pdf

etc. for more info

 

[xnuke]

I liked Cutler-Hammer's 101 Basics Series when I was just starting out. Their motor and motor control training is at:

http://www.eatonelectrical.com/unsecure/html/101basics/Module16/Output/index.html

xnuke

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[sreid]

From what you describe you will most often need AC induction motors. Fractional HP motors (1/3, 1/2,/3/4 HP) usually run on 120 VAC single phase. Thes are usually capacitor start motors. The capacitor and start "Relay" are built in. The motors can be reversed by reversing the start winding.

Larger mnotors are usually 220V single or three phase. The direction of three phase motors is changed by swapping two of the windings.

Search For Baldor Electric Co. for a good selection of induction motors (and much more).

Please respond for additional information.

 

[ScottyUK]

Follow this link and buy the 'little red book'.

http://www.brookcrompton.com/tech-guides.htm

It is the best £10 you will ever spend on something that isn't beer.



-----------------------------------

Start each new day with a smile.

Get it over with.

 

[jbartos]

Comment on the previous posting: If moldengineer works for some larger business, the book will probably be sent for free as an advertisement (actually, the damn good advertisement).

 

[RalphChristie]

Like Scotty, I recommend the "Little Red Book"
It is a real bargain for this price and have a lot of information.

Ralph

 

[advidana]

I don't think you can learn about contols and code by just reading about it. Try to have some electrical tutor to walk you thru the code and controls, don't forget to pay him a few bucks for his time. Most things are not really hard if someone can explains things to you.

I believe reading a book or following some web site will not do the trick.

good luck

 

[jbartos]

Comment on the previous posting: The engineering and design parts are normally processed based on literature, documents, education and very little practical experience. In some original cases, there are no practical applications available. However, I do agree that some specific practices are known by practitioners, e.g. electricians, technicians and field engineers only.

 

[advidana]

I agree, I know of a some specifiers that don't know the difference between an ohm and a volt. But I am from the old school and I believe that they should understand the differences.

 

[jbartos]

Comment on the previous posting: The mentioned specifiers apparently know the "best deals in town."