Vector controlled drives in a steel processing application

A Belgian sheet steel manufacturer has specified a new range of AC variable speed drives as part of the upgrading of a discontinuous tandem cold mill (TCM) to a continuous process coupled with the preceding pickle line. The authors focus on the performance capabilities of induction motors for such drives in developing overload torques of many times their full load rating for rapid speed changes. Comparisons are made between the calculated results from equivalent circuit models of the induction motors and measurements taken from production equipment. A brief description of the other features incorporated into this range of AC drives gives an insight into the potential that such products offer for a wide range of high performance applications