Tachometer Motor Speed Controllers
Reviewed by: Jon Lowy, consulting engineer
Description
Tachometer motor speed controllers are devices used to regulate the speed of a motor by utilizing feedback from a tachometer. These controllers adjust the motor's speed to match a desired setpoint, ensuring consistent performance even under varying load conditions.
Working Principle
Tachometer motor speed controllers operate on a closed-loop control system. The tachometer measures the motor's rotational speed and converts it into a voltage or current signal proportional to that speed. This feedback signal is then compared to a reference signal representing the desired speed. The controller processes the difference between these signals and adjusts the motor's power input to correct any deviations, thereby maintaining the desired speed. This method allows for precise speed regulation and quick response to changes in load or other external conditions .
Applications
Tachometer motor speed controllers are widely used in various industrial and commercial applications. For example, they are employed in conveyor systems to maintain consistent speed regardless of the load on the conveyor. They are also used in mixers and fans to ensure stable operation. In machine tools, these controllers help maintain precise cutting speeds, which is crucial for achieving high-quality finishes and extending tool life .
Advantages over other Motor Speed Controllers
One significant advantage of tachometer motor speed controllers is their ability to provide superior speed regulation. Unlike open-loop systems, which can only estimate motor speed, closed-loop systems with tachometer feedback can instantly correct speed deviations, resulting in tighter control and more stable operation. This makes them particularly useful in applications requiring high precision and reliability .
Limitations
Despite their advantages, tachometer motor speed controllers have some limitations. They can be more complex and expensive to implement compared to simpler open-loop systems. Additionally, the accuracy of the speed control is highly dependent on the quality and calibration of the tachometer. Poorly calibrated or low-quality tachometers can lead to inaccurate speed measurements and suboptimal performance .
Considerations
When selecting a tachometer motor speed controller, several factors should be considered:
- Initial Costs: These systems can be more expensive upfront due to the need for high-quality tachometers and more sophisticated control circuitry.
- Operating Expense: The operating costs may include regular calibration and maintenance of the tachometer to ensure accurate speed measurements.
- Durability: The durability of the system depends on the robustness of the tachometer and the controller. High-quality components can offer long service life but may come at a higher cost.
- Accuracy: The accuracy of speed control is a critical factor. High-precision tachometers can provide better performance but are generally more expensive.
- Replacement and Maintenance Costs: Regular maintenance is required to keep the system functioning correctly. This includes periodic calibration of the tachometer and inspection of the control circuitry. Replacement costs can be high if specialized components are needed .
from ElectroCraft
DA43 Drives. Technology: PMDC Servo-Linear. Quadrants: 4. Nominal Current: 3A. For Brush-Commutated Linear PMDC Motors. Up to 75 W. This servo-amplifier is built into a fully enclosed rugged aluminum case. Mode of operation is set by simple DIP switches. This drive handles a wide range of power... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: Permanent Magnet
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 1260
from ElectroCraft
SCA-L Drives. Technology: PMDC Servo Amplifier. Quadrants: 4. Nominal Current: 3A. For Brush-Commutated PMDC Motors. Up to 75 W. This linear four-quadrant PMDC DC servo amplifier is fully enclosed in a rugged aluminum case which can be panel mounted for easy integration. The drive is available in... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Absolute Encoder
- Motor / System: Permanent Magnet
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 75
from ElectroCraft
The ElectroCraft PRO Series Programmable Servo Drives are based on the latest in digital drive technology, offering a cost effective, compact and modular solution for the control of rotary or linear brushless, stepper or PMDC brush motors. The ElectroCraft PRO Series drives integrate advanced motion... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Hall Effect; Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Sine / Cosine
- Motor / System: DC Brushed; DC Brushless
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 385
from ElectroCraft
The ElectroCraft PRO Series Programmable Servo Drives are based on the latest in digital drive technology, offering a cost effective, compact and modular solution for the control of rotary or linear brushless, stepper or PMDC brush motors. The ElectroCraft PRO Series drives integrate advanced motion... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Hall Effect; Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Sine / Cosine
- Motor / System: DC Brushless
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 385
from Electro-Sensors, Inc.
Closed Loop Motor Speed Controller. Features. • Security lockout. • Diagnostics for easy troubleshooting. • Isolated speed reference signal. • 0.02% speed regulation in master and follower mode. • Complete I/O isolation. The MS320 is a cost-effective way to add digital PID... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder
- Motor / System: AC Servo
- Axes: 1.0
- PC-Based Bus: RS232; RS422; RS485
from Nidec Control Techniques
Mentor MP is a modern DC drive based on Control Techniques' current AC drive technology. The Mentor MP's internal field controller with intelligent field weakening means that 90% of applications require no additional external controller. [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Absolute Encoder (optional feature)
- Power: 47450
- Axes: 1.0
- Product: Variable Speed
from Dart Controls, Inc.
A compact, cost-efficient, reliable control for PM, Shunt Wound DC motors and Universal motors. The 125 Series variable speed control incorporates up-to-date design and engineering into an amazingly small package. Installation and field adjustment are facilitated using a barrier type terminal strip... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 14.92
from American Control Electronics
The MHS series of drives adds to our already feature rich 1Q offering. With an isolated input that can accept a grounded 4-20 mA or 0-10 VDC signal, Programmable Logic Control (PLC) or motion card connectivity is easy. The addition of cage clamp terminals on all logic connections, and power... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 40 to 200
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
Drive for Brushless and Asynchronous Motors. High performance drive. Brushless and asynchronous motors control. From 2 to 150 Arms continuous current. Resolver, incremental/less wire encoder, SinCos+EnDat and SinCos+Hiperface absolute encoderfeedback. Positioner with speed trapezoidal profile. [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Absolute Encoder; Sine / Cosine
- PC-Based Bus: CANopen; DeviceNet (optional feature); Ethernet (optional feature); PROFIBUS (optional feature); RS232; RS422; RS485; SERCOS (optional feature)
- Axes: 1.0
- Configuration: Stand Alone
from Electro-Sensors, Inc.
MicroSpeed Controller. Features. • 0.01% speed regulation in Master Mode. • Zero cumulative error in Follower Mode. • Isolated drive reference voltage. • Incremental speed adjustment for operator control. • Diagnostics for easy troubleshooting. • DIN standard steel... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder
- PC-Based Bus: RS422
- Axes: 1.0
- Operating Temperature: 0 to 50
from Nidec Control Techniques
Mentor MP is a modern DC drive based on Control Techniques' current AC drive technology. The Mentor MP's internal field controller with intelligent field weakening means that 90% of applications require no additional external controller. [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Absolute Encoder (optional feature)
- Power: 95500
- Axes: 1.0
- Product: Variable Speed
from Dart Controls, Inc.
The 250 Series offers superb flexibility, reliability, and value. A general purpose, economical control rated to 2 horsepower, it provides the ultimate in standard features and versatility including: dual voltage (120/240VAC), adjustable H.P. settings, packaged power bridge, barrier terminal strip,... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 14.92
from American Control Electronics
The MHS series of drives adds to our already feature rich 1Q offering. With an isolated input that can accept a grounded 4-20 mA or 0-10 VDC signal, Programmable Logic Control (PLC) or motion card connectivity is easy. The addition of cage clamp terminals on all logic connections, and power... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 100 to 1500
from Electro-Sensors, Inc.
Synchronous Controller for Motor Drives. Features. • Index-follower (event/phase synchronization),. Ratio-follower (electronic line-shaft) and Master modes. • Smooth, tight closed-loop PID control re-calculates. 1024 times/s. • 6 digit setpoint precision with full decimal point... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Absolute Encoder (optional feature); Analog Position (optional feature)
- Motor / System: Synchronous
- Axes: 1.0
- PC-Based Bus: RS232 (optional feature); RS422 (optional feature); RS485 (optional feature)
from Nidec Control Techniques
Mentor MP is a modern DC drive based on Control Techniques' current AC drive technology. The Mentor MP's internal field controller with intelligent field weakening means that 90% of applications require no additional external controller. [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Absolute Encoder (optional feature)
- Power: 160650
- Axes: 1.0
- Product: Variable Speed
from Dart Controls, Inc.
Dart's top of the line DC speed control is reliable, versatile, and economical. Rated to 3 horsepower, it provides many standard features typically offered as options. The Dart 500 Series control combines advanced engineering design, quality component selection and rigorous quality control to... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 93.27
from American Control Electronics
The MHS series of drives adds to our already feature rich 1Q offering. With an isolated input that can accept a grounded 4-20 mA or 0-10 VDC signal, Programmable Logic Control (PLC) or motion card connectivity is easy. The addition of cage clamp terminals on all logic connections, and power... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 750 to 3750
from Nidec Control Techniques
The Quantum MP is a packaged Mentor MP DC drive providing reliability, power and control to increase productivity for both new machines and applications in which DC motors are already installed. The Quantum MP package includes the drive, fusing, power switching and 115Vac interface making it the... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Absolute Encoder (optional feature)
- Power: 70500
- Axes: 1.0
- PC-Based Bus: CANopen (optional feature); DeviceNet (optional feature); Ethernet (optional feature); Interbus-S (optional feature); PROFIBUS (optional feature); RS422; RS485; CTNet, CTSync
from Dart Controls, Inc.
The Accu-Set is a compact, economical control that can be used with conventional AC, DC, or Brushless DC adjustable speed drive systems to provide an LED display of set speeds and precise, digital closed loop motor speed control. An on-board microprocessor with non-volatile memory coupled with... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Hall Effect; Tachometer; Analog Position
- Motor / System: DC Brushless; DC Servo; AC Servo
- Axes: 1.0
- Product: Variable Speed
from American Control Electronics
The MHS series of drives adds to our already feature rich 1Q offering. With an isolated input that can accept a grounded 4-20 mA or 0-10 VDC signal, Programmable Logic Control (PLC) or motion card connectivity is easy. The addition of cage clamp terminals on all logic connections, and power... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 100 to 1500
from Nidec Control Techniques
The Quantum MP is a packaged Mentor MP DC drive providing reliability, power and control to increase productivity for both new machines and applications in which DC motors are already installed. The Quantum MP package includes the drive, fusing, power switching and 115Vac interface making it the... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Absolute Encoder (optional feature)
- Power: 95500
- Axes: 1.0
- PC-Based Bus: CANopen (optional feature); DeviceNet (optional feature); Ethernet (optional feature); Interbus-S (optional feature); PROFIBUS (optional feature); RS422; RS485; CTNet, CTSync
from American Control Electronics
The largest and most powerful member of our 4Q regenerative family, the RGF series comes standard on a heavy duty heat sink for optimum heat dissipation. The available field voltage supply makes this series compatible with any 90/180 VDC PM or shunt-wound motor in the 1-5 HP range. Contactorless... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 750 to 3750
from Nidec Control Techniques
The Quantum MP is a packaged Mentor MP DC drive providing reliability, power and control to increase productivity for both new machines and applications in which DC motors are already installed. The Quantum MP package includes the drive, fusing, power switching and 115Vac interface making it the... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer; Incremental Encoder; Absolute Encoder (optional feature)
- Power: 160650
- Axes: 1.0
- PC-Based Bus: CANopen (optional feature); DeviceNet (optional feature); Ethernet (optional feature); Interbus-S (optional feature); PROFIBUS (optional feature); RS422; RS485; CTNet, CTSync
from American Control Electronics
The RGM series is a full featured regenerative SCR type drive series designed specifically for demanding applications where quickly stopping or reversing a PMDC motor is a requirement. With a widely used industry footprint standard, these compact 4Q drives eliminate the need for bulky mechanical... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 100 to 1500
from American Control Electronics
The RGM series is a full featured regenerative SCR type drive series designed specifically for demanding applications where quickly stopping or reversing a PMDC motor is a requirement. With a widely used industry footprint standard, these compact 4Q drives eliminate the need for bulky mechanical... [See More]
- Servo Feedback: Tachometer
- Motor / System: DC Brushed
- Axes: 1.0
- Power: 100 to 1500