CNC Controls Manage Energy Consumption

Sinumerik Ctrl-Energy is designed to provide energy-efficient operation of machine tools, encompassing Sinamics drive systems and motors, CNC and drive functions, PC software solutions and services. The software solution is said to offer energy-efficient solutions covering virtually every aspect of the machine’s lifecycle, starting from machine design and engineering through machine operation and partial or complete retrofit.

Using the “Ctrl” and “E” key combination on the operator panel, users of the Sinumerik Ctrl-Energy CNC can analyze the amount of energy that goes into machining individual workpieces and use that information as the basis for machining strategy improvements. Controls determine the energy consumption of both the drive system and the entire machine.

The Sinamics S120 drive system enables dynamic energy management in the DC link. A power-recovery system initially stores generated braking energy in a DC link and optionally feeds it back into the grid rather than allowing the brake resistance to turn it into heat. Automatic current flow is reduced in asynchronous spindles operating under part load, avoiding unnecessary heat loss. The drive systems’ smart in-feed and feedback modules compensate the machine’s reactive power, eliminating the need for reactive power compensation units.