Drive controllers help optimise servo-hydraulic press to ensure fewer rejects

KEB Automation has supplied a variety of drive controllers from its COMBIVERT range, as well as Active Infeed Converters to MS-Hydraulik, a developer of servo-hydraulic press technology based in Hattingen, Germany. The KEB products were specified for a special purpose, 1200-tonne capacity servo-hydraulic press that produces large individual steel parts for vehicle construction.

While developing the high-performance servo press, MS-Hydraulik turned to KEB Automation as its partner for servo drive controllers and energy efficiency. 

During the planning stage of the new servo press, Stangier relied in particular on KEB’s Active Infeed Converter solution (also known as ‘Active Front End’ technology). This enables both energy consumption from the national grid and energy output to the grid. Overall, KEB’s portfolio offers scalable solutions for charging and storage (regeneration) technologies from 11 kVA to 1,000 kVA.

With the newly-developed servo press, end-user customers can save up to 70% on energy costs. Due to an extremely precise production method, rejects can also be reduced. The press technology provides many advantages that MS-Hydraulik wants to establish further in the future.

Servo drive controllers for high pressing power

Driving energy efficiency has been a key task for the KEB team led by sales engineer Davide Fusari. In total, MS-Hydraulik uses 10 x COMBIVERT F6 drive controllers and two COMBIVERT S6 drive controllers, as well as two F5 Active Infeed Converters.

The new press was built in Italy by one of MS-Hydraulik’s partners, although all the engineering work was carried out in Germany. By working closely with KEB, MS-Hydraulik was able to build an energy-efficient press with high-speed dynamics and precise repeatability.

As environmental aspects are increasingly important success factors, the new servo press also took this into account. For example, the volume of oil required by the machine was reduced and cooling is no longer necessary. In future projects, MS-Hydraulik is keen to reconcile technology with the environment, efficiency and production costs. The company sees great potential in implementing even better applications together with KEB in the future.