Control Units CU310-2 PN, CU320-2 PN, NCU 730.3B PN and Numeric Control Extension NX15.3 (from left)

Platform Concept and Totally Integrated Automation

All SINAMICS versions are based on a platform concept. Joint hardware and software components, as well as standardized tools for design, configuration, and commissioning tasks ensure high-level integration across all components.

SINAMICS handles a wide variety of drive tasks with no system gaps. The different SINAMICS versions can be easily combined with each other.

SINAMICS is part of the Siemens "Totally Integrated Automation" concept. Integrated SINAMICS systems covering engineering, data management and communication at automation level, ensure low-effort solutions with the SINUMERIK, SIMOTION, and SIMATIC control systems.

SINAMICS S120 blocksize, booksize, and chassis formats

All formats can be combined freely

The different formats of SINAMICS S120 can be combined freely thanks to their innovative drive architecture with DRIVE-CLiQ interfaces, e.g. Line Modules in chassis format can be freely combined with Motor Modules in booksize format for multi-axis applications with high total output.

Modular system for demanding drive tasks

SINAMICS S120 solves demanding drive tasks for a wide range of industrial applications and is, therefore, designed as a modular system. Users can choose from many different harmonized components and functions to create a solution that best meets their requirements. The powerful SIZER for Siemens Drives engineering tool makes it easier to choose and determine the optimum drive configuration. This is possible due to the consistent subdivision of the drive in hardware and software function objects, which ensures that the power unit and Control Unit are isolated from each other.

The power units are selected in accordance with the requirements for energy consumption for the motion of the working machine and for exchange of energy with the power supply network. The Control Unit is selected in accordance with the number of drives to be controlled and the performance required.

Communication between the Control Unit and power unit takes place very simply via the digital system interface DRIVE-CLiQ. SINAMICS S120 is enhanced by a wide range of SIMOTICS motors. Whether synchronous or asynchronous, all motor types are supported by SINAMICS S120.

Particularly suitable for multi-axis applications

Coordinated drives that carry out a drive and motion task together are used in many mechanical and plant engineering applications. These require drives with a connected DC link, which allows cost-saving energy balancing between braking and driving axes.

SINAMICS S120 includes Line Modules (line infeed) and Motor Modules (inverters) for a wide performance range. Their format enables a contiguous installation for space-saving multi-axis drive configurations.

System architecture with a central Control Unit

Electronically coordinated single drives work together to perform the drive tasks. Higher-level computerized numerical controls such as SINUMERIK operate the drives to achieve the required coordinated movement. This requires cyclic data exchange between the CNC and all the drives. To solve this task, the SINAMICS S120 uses a central Control Unit that is designed as a higher-level drive controller for all connected axes.

Simple technological tasks can be carried out by the SINAMICS S120 Control Unit itself. For more complex numerical tasks, it is replaced by powerful modules from the SINUMERIK product range.

As well as motion control, coordinate transformation and logic functions, these products also integrate the SINAMICS drive control. The NCUs of SINUMERIK can be positioned in or alongside the SINAMICS S120 drive group and connected via DRIVE-CLiQ. In case of tasks that require a greater number of motion axes due to the machine kinematics, the system base units can be expanded with the additional Numeric Control Extensions NX10.3/NX15.3.

DRIVE-CLiQ – the digital interface between all components

All SINAMICS S120 drive system components, including the motors and encoders, are interconnected by a shared serial interface called DRIVE-CLiQ. The standardized cables and connectors reduce the variety of different parts and cut storage costs.

Sensor Modules (converter boards) for converting standard encoder signals to DRIVE-CLiQ are available for motors and encoders without a DRIVE-CLiQ interface or for retrofitting applications. DRIVE-CLiQ cables are designed to allow decentralized attachments up to 100 m (328 ft).

Swift and automatic: The electronic rating plate

All SINAMICS S120 components with a DRIVE-CLiQ interface have an electronic rating plate. This rating plate contains all the relevant data about that particular component. For motors, for example, these data include the parameters of the electric equivalent circuit diagram and characteristic values for the built-in motor encoder. The Control Unit records this component-specific data automatically via DRIVE-CLiQ so that it does not need to be entered during commissioning or when the equipment is replaced.

In addition to the technical specifications, the rating plate includes logistical data (manufacturer ID, order number, and globally unique ID). Since this data can be called up electronically on site or remotely, all the components used in a machine can always be individually identified, which helps simplify servicing.

The following overview features the SINAMICS S120 components that are primarily used for multi-axis drive tasks.

SINAMICS S120 drive system with SINUMERIK 840D sl

Control Units

Control Units CU310-2 PN, Control Units CU310-2 DP, CU320-2 PN, CU320-2 DP, NCU 730.3 PN and Numeric Control Extension NX15.3

Control Units for drive control in SINUMERIK, the Numeric Control Extensions NX and the CU320-2

SINAMICS S120 Control Unit CU320-2

These central Control Units can be used to create links between individual drives and implement simple technology functions. The CU320-2 Control Unit has been designed to control multiple drives. With the SINUMERIK, up to 6 drives can be operated in servo control mode on one Control Unit.

The Control Units in the SINUMERIK CNCs are available in various rating classes for implementing coordinated motion control in a multi-axis interpolation grouping on machine tools:

SINUMERIK 840D sl

• NCU 710.3B PN/NCU 720.3B PN/730.3B PN with integral drive control. Up to three NCU 730 units interlinked by NCU-Link represent the highest possible performance level. They are capable of controlling up to 93 axes in up to 30 machining channels.
• Numeric Control Extensions NX10.3/NX15.3 for extended control of up to 3/6 axes

Commissioning and diagnosis of the various Control Units in combination with the power components is performed in combination with the SINUMERIK using the drive wizard of the SinuCom NC commissioning tool. Alternatively, the drive can be commissioned using the STARTER commissioning tool.

For further information about STARTER, see Engineering software.

Motor Modules

The Motor Modules are the final controlling element for the motor and feature a DC link that is fed from a DC voltage and, as an output, an inverter for feeding the motor.

Line Module and two Motor Modules in booksize format

Motor Modules are designed for multi-axis drives and are controlled by a SINUMERIK NCU or a CU320 Control Unit. The Motor Modules are interconnected through a common DC bus. Since the Motor Modules share the same DC link, they can exchange energy with one another, i.e. if one Motor Module operating in generator mode produces energy, the energy can be used by another Motor Module operating in motor mode. The DC link is supplied from the line voltage by a Line Module.

Line Modules

Line Modules generate a DC voltage from the line voltage and supply Motor Modules with energy via the voltage-source DC link. The SINAMICS S120 range contains the following types of Line Modules:

Smart Line Modules

Smart Line Modules can feed energy to the DC link of a drive group through a non-stabilized converter and also feed back the generated excess energy into the power supply system. The line voltage variations are mirrored proportionately in the DC link voltage. Braking Modules and braking resistors are required only if the drives need to be decelerated in a controlled manner for island supply systems or after a power failure (i.e. when energy cannot be recovered to the supply). When a Smart Line Module is used as the infeed, the matching line reactor must be installed. A line filter can be installed optionally to restrict the interference voltage level to EN 61800-3 Class C2 limits.