Baldor Expands Flex Range with New Servo-Motor Drives

Baldor (UK) has expanded its Flex range of digital servo-motor drives with new higher-power versions that operate directly from 400V/460V three-phase supplies. The introduction extends the power ratings available from 6kW up to 20kW. Two versions are available. The "smart" Flex+Drive combines an ac brushless servo-motor drive with built-in motion software. A variant, called FlexDrive, offers the same basic drive capability without the built-in intelligence, at reduced costs.

All of Baldor's new models feature an encoder input for electronic-gearbox applications, and come with a free Windows set-up program incorporating an auto-tuning memory for storing 15 absolute or relative moves, which may be initiated using switches or continuous commands via the built-in serial port or optional CAN field-bus interface. Simple PLC-style functionality is also possible.

The new drives can be used with Baldor's BSM Series of brushless ac servo-motors. Matched performance, speed-torque curves are available for these combinations. The drives may also be integrated with Baldor's stand-alone or pc-based motion controllers.