Brad Kuvin Brad Kuvin
Editorial Director

Hydraulic Presses Turn Green with Variable-Frequency Drives

November 1, 2010
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Small 10-ton hydraulic press
Electrical panel
This small 10-ton hydraulic press, with a 7.5-hp motor, went to a metalformer that was able to justify the addition of a variable-frequency drive because the press runs at only 1 to 2 cycles/min. The VFD, an Allen-Bradley PowerFlex model seen in the top-left corner of the electrical-cabinet photo, generates significant energy savings for the stamper. 
Hydraulic presses use electric motors to supply the workforce/horsepower required to build tonnage. Most (if not all) of these motors use AC (alternating current) and run on voltages between 120 to 600 VAC. Motor horsepower ratings can range from 1 to several hundred—here we’ll focus on larger motors, 50 hp and greater, which can consume a massive amount of electricity and become a big number on a metalformer’s balance sheet. One energy-saving device that’s well known in many segments of industry, but perhaps less understood among metalformers, is the variable-frequency drive (VFD).

Developed decades ago to allow the use of AC drives rather than DC drives in large machines, VFDs allow accurate control of an AC motor—its acceleration and deceleration, startup times, boost torque and a host of other variables. In manufacturing plants, VFDs can be found anywhere that operating speed needs to be varied—conveyors or mixing operations, for example.

But when it comes to hydraulic presses, many metalformers need more education, which is why we spent some time discussing the topic with Rob Bisbee, senior automation engineer with press builder Greenerd Press, Nashua, NH.

“While our customers with applications less than 50 hp typically cannot justify the investment in a VFD, presses with larger motors and, in particular, with applications that cycle a part every few minutes rather than continuously more readily can see an ROI that makes sense,” says Bisbee. “This is because they can shut the motor off during that idle time, and then program it for a slow startup, rather than the more typical inrush of current experienced without a VFD.”

Bisbee offers this summary of VFD versus no VFD:

A hydraulic press without a VFD will typically:

• Turn its motor on when power is applied;

• Only turn the motor off when either the power is turned off or when detecting an emergency-stop condition. The motor will continue to run even when the press is idle (the platen not moving).

A hydraulic press with a VFD will typically:

• Start the motor when the press is ready to do some work;

 Turn off the motor when movement of the platen is not required;

• Keep the motor off during press idle times; and

• Run the motor at slower speeds when the press is idle, to allow for accumulators to be charged or the oil to be cooled and filtered.

 

The Benefits are Numerous

With a VFD on a hydraulic press, energy-cost savings by only running the motor when it’s needed can accumulate quickly (see the sidebar). More energy savings can be realized by programming the VFD to ramp the motor up to speed (more than 3 to 5 sec. typically), which eliminates the large electrical inrush of current. This can allow a metalformer to minimize its surge (or demand) amperage. Also, the ability to control the speed of the motor enables the motor to run at slower speeds while idle to filter and cool the oil, charge accumulators, or satisfy other small-hp demand requirements.

“With a VFD, the motor can communicate through Ethernet (or with discrete inputs/outputs) to a PLC,” adds Bisbee, “allowing touchscreen (and potentially recipe) control of motor on/off timing, idle speeds and fault indications. Also, the VFD will generate its own AC voltage to drive the motor. This naturally isolates the motor from most voltage fluctuations or spikes, prolonging its life.”

A Poor-Man’s Transformer

Bisbee shared a recent customer success story where a VFD installed on a press destined for an offshore company acted as what he calls a “poor-man’s transformer.”

“The customer needed to run a press on 415 VAC at 50 Hz, and the motor was rated at 460 VAC, 60 Hz ,” he notes. “A VFD installed on the motor allows the factory to run 415 V into the press and put out 460 V on the other side, avoiding the big investment needed for a transformer.”

In another recent case, a military-equipment supplier purchased a large hydraulic press with a 150-hp motor and calculated its ROI for a VFD at 18 months. “Cycle rates were low, and the company operates in a high-energy-cost area of the country,” says Bisbee.

Where won’t a VFD make sense? “In applications where the runs are 15 cycles/min. or greater, it can be hard to justify the cost of a VFD, which can range from two to 10 percent of the overall price of the press (the larger the press, the lower the option cost as a percentage), because there is relatively little press idle time,” Bisbee says. “Conversely, on presses running under 15 cycles/min., we begin to see opportunities to take advantage of the electricity savings.”

Why Not Something Else?

“Some say, ‘Why not use a contactor (or large relay) to turn the motor on and off?’” Bisbee notes.  The reason: “While there can be some cost savings because the motor will be turned off while the press is idle, the contactor will not help reduce the inrush currents created by the motor switching on. This can be a very large part of overall energy costs.

“Others say, ‘Why not use a motor soft-start device?’” he continues. Reason: “While a motor soft-start device can be less expensive then a VFD and it can help to eliminate inrush currents when the motor turns on and off, the device cannot control motor speed. During idle time, it’s important to be able to keep the oil flowing through the chiller. If the oil gets too hot (above 150 F), the metalformer will begin to experience premature degradation of the hydraulic-system components. The first to go usually is the pump—the seals and gaskets won’t last. Also, a soft-start device cannot communicate intelligently with a PLC to provide fault indications, etc.”      MF

Industry-Related Terms: Case, Corner, Hydraulic Press, Model, Run, Torque
View Glossary of Metalforming Terms

 

See also: Greenerd Press & Machine Co.

Technologies: Stamping Presses

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