Parker Hannifin's major software release for PSD Servo Drives
Parker Hannifin, a specialist in motion and control technologies, is releasing new software for its PSD servo drive family, focused on ‘Intelligent Drive’. The release will provide new control modes, advanced synchronisation functions, and performance optimisations to improve throughput, accuracy, and system efficiency in challenging industrial applications
The update will add dedicated Torque Control and Force Control modes for push, press, and winding applications. Open-loop Torque Control switches between current control and position control based on measured feedback. Force Control uses sensor input for high-accuracy closed-loop force regulation, providing precise, consistent applied force for sensitive assembly, press-to-fit, or forming tasks.
New gearing and synchronisation capabilities extend the PSD drives’ capability for dynamic applications, including ‘cut-on-fly’ and continuous handling. The GearInPos function synchronises a secondary axis to a primary axis, achieving precise positional alignment and ensuring the requested speed is reached exactly at the synchronised point. The new MoveSuperImposed function enables a relative, superimposed movement on an axis already in motion, making it suitable for compensatory or corrective overlays during continuous operation.
The software release also includes a package of performance and control improvements, including speed and load-torque observers and integrated notch filtering, which translate into application benefits such as enhanced disturbance rejection and more efficient energy use.
PSD Servo Manager has gained productivity features to accelerate multi-drive commissioning and tuning. The new multi-axis tool streamlines configuration and coordinated motion setup for systems with multiple drives, and the integrated signal analyser allows on-board frequency-response measurements to speed up tuning and validation without additional instruments. Another new feature is the support for Codesys network variables, which enables easy data exchange with other devices in the machine network and supports use cases such as condition monitoring.
The PSD series itself combines compact multi-axis scalability with ease of use. A modular architecture with a central mains module and one-, two-, or three-axis modules sharing a DC bus supports efficient power distribution for multi-axis systems, while a single-axis stand-alone version provides the same functional capabilities for smaller machines. Design features such as fast wiring, a standard one-cable feedback solution, reduced cabling requirements, and an integrated SD memory card enable faster, more economical installation, maintenance, and device exchange.
Markus Gugel, product manager, electric motion and pneumatic division, said, “We designed this release to address the requirements of having more functions and features directly in the servo drive and are proud of the result. Customers will see tangible gains in performance, timing, and system efficiency without sacrificing ease of use.”