According to SEW-Eurodrive Strategic Marketing and Product Manager, Darren Klonowski, the new MOVIFIT system combines the advantages of decentralised control with the latest in drive application and communications technologies together with a high degree of enclosure protection. “MOVIFIT is the result of many years of drive-engineering experience, plus research and development, both here in Australia and around the world,” he said.

Site-toughened, all MOVIFIT modules are housed in a unique dual-chamber cast-aluminium enclosure, and come in both standard IP65 and aseptic self-draining IP69K variants. This contrasts with other decentralised offerings that present in simple plastic enclosures, and incorporate crevices and contaminant trap-points that are non-compliant with hygienic clean area requirements.

Coupled with its onboard I/O, distributed power and fieldbus communications, SEW-Eurodrive’s MOVIFIT supports the widest variety of decentralised topologies and materials handling applications. “MOVIFIT offers Australian industry with ‘never-before-seen’ levels of drive system scalability and flexibility. Our research suggests that the MOVIFIT decentralised drive system can save up to 30 per cent in drive system design, installation and start-up costs,” Klonowski said.

The IP69K variant (to the DIN 40050-9 standard) is ideal for harsh manufacturing environments, is designed to withstand high-pressure/high-temperature water cleaning, and feature a unique plasticised coating that is scratchproof, inhibits bacteria build-up and is resistant to common industrial cleaning agents. Self-draining and free of crevices and contaminant trap-points, the IP69K MOVIFIT complements SEW-Eurodrive’s DAS-series aseptic geared motors to form an ideal duo for applications in the food and beverage industry.

The system comprises three basic field-mountable drive interface units--the basic ‘building blocks’ of the MOVIFIT decentralised system:
• MOVIFIT-MC--Specifically designed to be used as a gateway for SEW-Eurodrive’s renowned MOVIMOT helical geared motor with integrated frequency inverter. Each MOVIFIT MC supports up to three MOVIMOT units
• MOVIFIT-SC--Provides electronic motor soft-start functionality for conventional geared motor units up to 4.0kW. The unit can support either two unidirectional gear motor units, or one bi-directional reversing motor
• MOVIFIT-FC--A decentralised frequency inverter, designed to support a single near-mounted geared motor unit up to 4.0kW

All three MOVIFIT modules are assembled in a fool-proof two-part assembly: an ‘EBOX’ housing the control and power electronics, and an ‘ABOX’ for the field terminations. Connectivity between the two is achieved via a simple self-locking mechanism that requires no inter-connecting wiring and ensures a high degree of sealing.

With industrial safety in mind, both the MOVIFIT-MC and MOVIFIT-SC modules include an integrated ‘safety stop’ feature as standard. This allows a reduction of the interposing relays and contactors required to achieve safe protection against restart in AS4024 (Safety of Machinery. Safety related parts of control system part 1) Category 3 applications.

All MOVIFIT interface modules are available with common fieldbus interfaces including Ethernet-based protocols (EtherNet/IP, EtherNet MODBUS and ProfiNet). All modules come complete with a generous complement of onboard I/O including an LED status window, providing the best in decentralised monitoring and control.

Connection to the field-mounted MOVIFIT and central PLC and field I/O is via cable glands or optional M12 connectors while main power supply can be connected through optional on-board isolator. Near-mounted geared motor connection is via pluggable hybrid cable.