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Digital Motor Controller/Chopper Offers Cost-Effective, Precise Control of Brush Motors with Unique Combination of Features

MONTGOMERYVILLE, PA – PERFORMANCE CONTROLS, INC.® introduces its DCD48-100 four-quadrant digital motor controller that has application in a wide range of electric vehicle, automation, and other devices that employ series wound, or permanent magnet brush motors. The device is also referred to as a “chopper” in motorized vehicles and a “drive amplifier” in automation servo control.  The compact, very cost-effective motor controller offers smooth, reliable, flexible motor control as well as significant advantages to designers and users of equipment such as AGVs (automatic guided vehicles), forklift trucks, power chairs, personnel carriers, ride-on and walk-behind electric carts, lift and conveying equipment, as well as automation systems and robotics.

The unit’s digital tuning permits optimization and customization of performance and permits the use of the same drive controller for multiple applications, thus reducing inventory of units stocked.  The controller permits the equipment designer and user to set parameters that will optimize motor performance, including acceleration & deceleration and forward & reverse speed and speed limits as well as add additional control commands.  The compact unit, available with or without housing, can be easily and quickly installed – custom features to speed installation are also available.

Other useful benefits include:

  • Quiet operation and highly responsive control in torque and velocity modes, efficient use of supply voltage, and less heating and losses in the motor – due to the unit’s proprietary high frequency PWM (pulse-width-modulated) modulation technique

  • Optimal power efficiency, resulting in longer run time per battery charge – as a result of employing high-quality MOSFET power devices

  • Superior fault protection – helps protect the controller amplifier and motor circuits

  • Separate forward/reverse speed limits and smooth, programmable acceleration and deceleration as a result of internal closed-loop speed and torque control – eliminating the need for external controllers

  • Over-temperature warning mode provides linear reduction of the current to allow “get-me-home” continued operation at reduced capacity to implement a controlled shutdown

  • Electrical isolation eliminates the need for external isolation components

  • Supply voltage can run as high as 75Vdc while charging the battery as a result of using high voltage components – thereby eliminating the need to use relays or other components to disconnect the battery

  • Selectable master/slave operation permits the unit to operate in either mode – reduces inventory requirements and helps to coordinate multiple axis’s from a single command

  • Inherent motor and controller protection circuitry includes peak current, over RMS current, and over-temperature.  Additionally, motor protection also includes over travel limit switches.

The four-quadrant unit’s continuous output current is 100 amps RMS;  its maximum peak current is 175 amps RMS for 15 sec. Nominal bus voltage is 24-48 Vdc.  Output power is 6.4 HP (4.8kW). Operating temperature range is
0-50°C. The unit measures 4.2” x 6.5” x 2.75”; weight is 3.5 lb. Other models with other ranges and specifications are also available.

For more information on the DCD48-100 Controller or other Performance Control products, contact Dierk Benecke, PERFORMANCE CONTROLS, INC.®, 151 Domorah Drive, Montgomeryville, PA 18936.  Telephone: 215-619-4920.  Fax: 215-619-4999.  E-mail: sales@pcipa.com.

About Performance Controls:

For three decades, PERFORMANCE CONTROLS, INC.® has been a leader in designing and manufacturing high performance motor drive controllers, choppers, and power amplifiers for customers worldwide.  The company has a well-earned reputation for reliable, innovative products, and for special engineering expertise and creative solutions.  The company provides high performance products designed or customized to meet the particular needs of customers in a wide range of industries, including motorized vehicles, factory automation, medical applications such MRI power and surgical hand tool motor control, submersible devices used in oil and gas exploration and production, power generation, rotating instrumentation such as radar and antennas, and testing equipment.