copperhill's Blog

Hi!

Do me a favor and send your application file directly to the e-mail address you find at http://www.copperhillmedia.com/contactus.html (I don't want to post it here due to pesty spammers who may find it here...).

I will have a look at it and give you another feedback.

Regards,
Wilfred

Hi Gregory,

Thank you very much for your kind words for our motor sizing software.

I have been trying to document almost everything that has to do with the motor sizing process, but I am also aware that there is still much to do.

Let's see what we have available at this time:

1. The installation of VisualSizer includes some demo applications, for instance for a leadscrew. Just use the File->Open menu and you will see the demo reference in the File-Open dialog window.

2. Of course, there is a help file included with the software. It really explains all the features in detail (and if not, let me know). For those who are too impatient to read 50+ pages there is also a Quick-Start section.

3. Check out our web site http://www.visualsizer.com (and even this forum). The web site has a number of articles addressing various aspects of motor sizing.

4. You could buy my book...;-) I need to make a living after all...;-) The book (See http://www.copperhillmedia.com/ServoSizingBook.htm, which includes a "Preview" function) explains all the math, etc. used in VisualSizer, including S-Curve calculation, motor sizing and selection process, comparison of motor technologies, torque and inertia calculations for all mechanical components, etc. etc. The book goes for US$39 (hardcopy) or US$29 for the download, i.e. very cheap when you live in Canada...;-) Again, the book is the most complete reference in regards to the theory behind servo motor sizing and suggestions/comments are always welcome.

Let me also address some "problems" with servo motor sizing programs: While the program can be a great learning tool it does not guarantee that the program is doing ALL the work for you. When I started developing VisualSizer back in 1995 it took a lot of thinking to come up with a concept that supported the servo motor sizing novice, but without insulting the 20-year-in-the-business motion control engineer.

I am aware that it can be difficult for a beginner to enter a value for, for instance, friction coefficient. However, in this case it is important not to expect that the program provides the data, because that would not result in a real-world application. In this case it is important to read the manual and while it may not be 100% perfect, it still contains a lot of information.

Again, it is important that you use the software for a real purpose, not some artificial mechanical application. Let me refer to an inquiry that came in some years ago: Somebody constructed an application where he wanted to move a 2,000 kg weight over a linear distance of 2 meters in a time of 0.001 seconds. The complaint was that the program did not find a suitable motor. Well, the space shuttle may be able to match the requirements, but not a regular servo motor.

The main purpose of the program is still to find the optimum motor for your application in the shortest time possible and you will find that the software is very easy to handle.

Last, but not least, let me say that I do appreciate your feedback and every feedback will most certainly influence the next edition of my book to some degree.

Sincerely,
Wilfred

This is an article I found in the November 2006 issue of the Design News magazine. I found it especially interesting due to the mentioning of http://www.MotionInfo.com, which is run by George Gulalo of Motion Tech Trends. George and I are good friends for some years now and we are actively working on implementing an Internet-based version of VisualSizer-Professional on his web site.

To read the article log on to:
http://www.designnews.com/article/CA6384069.html

• Wilfried

I was very pleased to find the following press release, because the MotionMatch motor sizing software from AC Tech Lenze is yet another derivative of VisualSizer-Professional. For those who are using the AC Tech servo motors I would recommend to use MotionMatch rather than VisualSizer, since this software was specifically modified for the AC Tech - Lenze product line.

I had to re-type the product news, since the magazine print does not provide any hyperlinks...

• Wilfried

e-Drive Magazine - February/March 2008:

Lenze-AC Tech has released the MotionMatch sizing software for its servo drives and motors. Company officials describe the combination of MotionMatch motor sizing software and MotionView drive configuration software as a powerful yet simple solution to motion control management.

According to Darrow Hanesian, director of Product Management at Lenze-AC Tech, "Sizing a motor shouldn't be rocket science and neither should programming a servo drive." Hanesian states that Lenze - AC Tech's MotionMatch, used with the existing MotionView, takes all the guess work out of pairing a servo drive and a motor, plus the user can now configure the drive with infinite ease.

"Our application engineers often get asked about the right size motor for a customer's application. Unfortunately, however, the question usually comes after some failure has occured" said Hanesian. Deb Kling, Lenze-AC Tech marketing manager, agrees, "With thousands of drive and motor combinations to choose from, it is no wonder that customers get frustrated with the selection process. With MotionMatch, all you need to do is enter your application requirements and the program will return the compatible servo drive-motor combination."

Hanesian and Kling say that Lenze-AC Tech customers have been using MotionView to configure the PositionServo drive since the software's introduction in 2001. "The success of MotionView lies in its intuitive Windows-based menu and the ability to fully program the drive from a PC," said Hanesian.

Find out about the latest products, company news, R&D events.

For a subscription go to:
http://www.EDriveMagazine.com/e_sub.php

In my very personal opinion this is THE magazine to read when it comes to motion control. It is mostly filled with product information, which I find very helpful when it comes to getting a market overview.

• Wilfried

February 14 - 15, 2008
The Omni Hotel - Atlanta, Georgia
Highlighting the most recent advancements and economics in motion control technology.

I personally will not be able to make it and also have never been to this exhibtion. I would, however, appreciate some insights from visitors of this show.

• Wilfried

Do you really need a servo? Can an induction motor with a feedback device provide a better solution for specific applications? Looking at definitions and performance characteristics for servos and induction motors may move the decision along.

Servo motor system: A servo is not just a motor. It is a closed loop motion system composed of a controller, a drive, a motor and a feedback device, usually an optical or magnetic encoder. The confusion begins when the motor supplier advertises a servo motor.

The “servo motor” is a synchronous machine with permanent magnets (PM) that is represented by a brush or brushless PM motor. It has certain performance characteristics that separate it from other motor types. The permanent magnet synchronous motor possesses very high peak and continuous torques used to drive the servo system at high acceleration and deceleration rates in precision positioning systems. Torque is directly proportional to input current. Motor shaft speed is directly linked to input voltage. The higher the input voltage, the higher the motor’s speed. Torque versus speed curve is linear.

For more information log on to http://www.controleng.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6498643

• Wilfried

Users want their drives easy to setup and program, and they plan to buy more of them, according to a Control Engineering survey of subscriber preferences for ac adjustable speed drives (also known as variable frequency drives or VFDs), conducted with help from Reed Research. Generally respondents prefer plain-vanilla open-loop Volts/Hz drives, more than in 2005. Very important features include simple setup, programmability, and ability to download or copy parameters; 98% expect to buy as many or more in the next 12 months, while 45% plan to buy more; just 2% will buy fewer.

A total of 317 subscribers who evaluate, specify, recommend, install, and/or purchase these drives responded to the survey (more than twice as many as in our 2005 survey). Of these, 57% buy drives for in-plant requirements, while 24% buy them for original equipment manufacturer (OEM resale) requirements, and 19% buy them for both in-plant and OEM requirements.

For more information log on to http://www.controleng.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6498622

• Wilfried

Hi Al,

The download is already available. So, please feel free to download and play with the software.

Also, make sure to support us by clicking on the Google ads...;-))

Sincerely,
Wilfried

This is a web site run by magazines such as DesignNews, EDN and Control Engineering. It covers control systems and mechanical systems plus robotics.

http://reedsc.leadix.com/sites/Mechatronics/default.php?/page_id=277/item_id=2954/

Hi everybody!

The VisualSizer report generator feature already includes some information that would help to find the right drive/amplifier for the selected motor. A great number of motors in the VisualSizer database come already with pre-assigned drives/amplifiers according to manufacturer recommendations.

Please let me know if there are any potential enhancements to inorporate the selection of drives and amplifiers.

• Wilfried

Hi everybody!

I have been working on VisualSizer enhancements since its first release in 1997 and since then the program was improved primarily due to very much appreciated feedback and technical information.

If you have any suggestions regarding additional features you would like to see in VisualSizer, please feel free to post them in this forum. I would appreciate if, in addition, you could also provide technical information on the feature such as hyperlinks, literature, etc.

I received, for instance, an inquiry regarding "Regeneration Requirements". This inquiry was accompanied by a PDF file with a very helpful description of the topic.

Again, suggestions are always welcome.

• Wilfried

Hi everybody!

Please feel free to create new databases for VisualSizer by using the "Interactive Catalog" feature. Go to Start->Programs->VisualSizer-Professional->InteractiveCatalog to start the database editor. Please make sure you read the help file as it contains all necessary information to add/delete/modify data.

The current version of VisualSizer (5.80.040) includes databases with 6000+ motor/drive/amplifier combinations. However, some data (motor data as well as manufacturers) may not be up to date anymore. On the other hand, even in times of the Internet, it can be difficult to get well structured data from manufacturers. The worst are distributors who refuse to give you motor data, because they don't see the prospect of making the big business (Some manufacturers refer strictly to their reps/distributors to serve such inquiries).

If you have new databases created with VisualSizer, please share them with all forum members by sending the database to me (wvoss@copperhilltech.com). I will process the data in a way that each member can upgrade their version.

• Wilfried

Hi Darrin,

First, thank you very much for the kind words regarding VisualSizer.

Secondly, I do apologize for the late response, but things were a little crazy lately...;-))

This latest version of VisualSizer that we all have (Version 5.80.040) has the conversion already corrected in the corresponding database. However, the incorrect conversion factor is also stored in the application file you created at the time when you discovered the error. Please re-create your application from scratch and let me know if the conversion error still exists and exactly where it occurs.

• Wilfried

Hi everybody! Does somebody have information whether or not Baldor is distributing a motor sizing software? We had provided them a version some years ago, but the deal also included the source code, which they then took over. There was talk about incorporating linear motors, but they apparently decided to stick with a version that was created in house. I was only wondering, because quite some people from Baldor downloaded VisualSizer. Maybe they needed a reference or they never upgraded our original version. - Wilfried

Hi!

You can usually find the authorization code on the actual web page where you downloaded the software, but here it is again:
GZSF-1XSJ-LV8E-AJNK

I am working to remove this feature, but that will take until about the end of January.

There may be one case where the authorization code window will not allow you any entry, either when you had installed the program before or when the counter went to zero.

In this case type the following: First, hit the ESC key. Then type "KINGARTHUR" and the window will accept your input. The KINGARTHUR input must be done 'blind', i.e. the program will not display any feedback.

Hope the info helps.

• Wilfried

Well, the way that this forum works I will have to put in a biography...;-))

Again, my name is Wilfried (Wilfred is the Americanized version) Voss and I was born and raised in Germany. I share my birthday with celebrities like THE KING (Elvis Presley) and David Bowie, i.e. January 8 (not the same year, though).

I have a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering and my last job in Germany got me involved with the paper industry. In my capacity as specialist for sheet cutters I was temporarily sent to the United States, i.e. for a limited time of 8 months. That was back in 1989 and I never really went back to Germany. I got married to an Irish-American woman (Hey, what are the chances to find some Irish folks in Masschusetts...) and this last year (2007) I was blessed with the birth of my son, Patrick. The same year I was also officially received into the Episcopal Church and the next adventure will be to finally become an American citizen.

In 1993 I started my own business, Copperhill Technologies. Even though I tried to continue my involvement with the paper industry things went a little bit different than planned. Through some contacts in the motion control industry I started writing software for servo motor sizing, first under MS-DOS and then under the various Windows flavors.

Work on VisualSizer began in 1995 while developing program versions for Siemens Energy & Automation and GE Fanuc. Since then the list of customers expanded steadily, simply by mouth-to-mouth propaganda. We also started to sell copies of our generic version, but, honestly, with a great number of free sizing softwares in the market, selling single copies was tough. That, among many other things, triggered the idea to make VisualSizer a free download.

Since 1997 I am also involved in the CAN (Controller Area Network) & CANopen industry and here I sensed a lack of documentation. As a result I started publishing my first book "A Comprehensible Guide to Controller Area Network" (2005), followed by "A Comprehensible Guide to Servo Motor Sizing" (2007). Both books sell very well and that in turn made the decision to concentrate on writing technical literature rather than developing software.

I will continue to add functionality to VisualSizer and I am counting on the feedback from members of this forum. This way I am not under the pressure of time lines and expensive marketing activities.

So, please, everybody, give me some feedback...;-))

Hi!

VisualSizer comes with a database editor, called "Interactive Catalog". The original idea behind that program was to create exactly what the name says, a catalog, but then we added the database editor into it.

Go to Start->Programs->VisualSizer-Professional->Interactive Catalog. The program contains a command button on top of the screen named "Database". Click on that button and the database editor appears. Please make sure you read the help file carefully as it contains all necessary information on how to add databases and motor information.

Some years ago we had created a Baldor motor sizing program, but the database format was provided by Baldor and it was not compatible with our format, so we were unable to incorporate it into VisualSizer.

Also, some of our databases may be somewhat obsolete. It was quite some work to follow up with all changes in the industry (mergers, acquisitions, etc.) and I am hoping that we may get not only updated information through this forum, but maybe even new databases. I would appreciate if you would keep this forum updated on your progress and when the time comes I can add a new section where users can download more databases.

• Wilfried

We have started a new web site: Robotics Newsletter - News, Trends & Applications.

For more information log on to:
http://www.roboticsnewsletter.com