|

SmartD: Clean Power VFD Finkl Steel Sorel Case Study

SmartD: Finkl Steel Sorel Case Study

February 18, 2025

SmartD Offers Clean Power VFD Case Study – Finkl Steel Sorel

Improving power quality, operational continuity, and stability under extreme conditions with the Clean Power VFD.

Objectives

The company aims to improve the lifespan of motors, especially those of critical operations. The environment is dusty and hot while keeping a 24/7 production schedule. For variable frequency drives (VFDs), unplanned power outages (such as failures from Hydro-Québec) often cause VFD failures in installed systems.

Challenges

  • Harmonic distortion generated by motors that are continuously operating at the lower end of their speed range.
  • Reliability of VFDs operating in a dusty and hot environment.
  • Maintaining 24/7 production.
  • Lack of experienced workforce.

Benefits

  • SmartD’s Clean Power VFD ensures continuous 24/7 operation without generating harmonics on the power grid and control distribution network.
  • Its sinusoidal wave outputs protect both motor bearings and the motor itself.
  • A VFD designed to support multiple voltages (480v and 600v).

Solutions

Replacement of an Existing Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)

  • Improved Power Quality & Harmonic Reduction: The active front-end (AFE) minimizes harmonic distortion, ensuring smooth motor operation. The Clean Power VFD not only handles harmonics from motors in extreme conditions but also eliminates them, resulting in higher power quality.
  • 24/ 7 Continuous Operation: SmartD’s Clean Power VFD secures reliable performance for motors running non-stop. Its
    ability to operate in extreme conditions, coupled with smooth recovery after power outages, keeps the production on track around the clock.
  • Easy Installation & Integration: With simple installation and quick connectivity to existing control systems, the Clean
    Power VFD minimizes downtime. Its intuitive setup, accessible via mobile app, reduces the need for experienced technicians, streamlining deployment and operation.
  • Lower Costs & Simplified Maintenance: By eliminating the need for external filters, the Clean Power VFD reduces both
    upfront costs and ongoing maintenance. It provides an all-in-one solution that ensures efficiency without added complexity.

Feedback & Results

  • Easy replacement of current VFD with simple installation and minimal downtime.
  • Connect to existing control systems through easy input/output configuration using the mobile app.
  • Reduced harmonics and improved power quality with the active front-end (AFE) of the SmartD Clean Power VFD.
  • Enhanced motor reliability and lifespan with smooth start/stop functions and the Clean Power VFD’s sinewave output signals.
  • Lower operational and maintenance costs by using a single product instead of a VFD solution with external filters.
  • Excellent customer service in French, and easy to reach someone by phone.

“The mobile app made setup incredibly simple, it allowed us to quickly get the system running with minimal downtime. Even during power disturbances, the drive runs smoothly and keeps our operations steady— we intend to deploy more SmartD Clean Power VFDs in the near future.” Finkl Steel, 2024

Source

Related Articles

Changing Scene

  • Intralec Announces Leadership Transition in Northern GTA Sales Region

    Intralec Announces Leadership Transition in Northern GTA Sales Region

    Intralec has announced an upcoming leadership transition as Cameron Slade, currently Warehouse Supervisor, steps into the role of Outside Sales Representative for the Northern GTA region and North Ontario. Cameron will be filling in for Beverly Pisco, who will be beginning her maternity leave this June. Cameron brings a strong foundation in the electrical industry,… Read More…

  • Specialized Power Solutions Welcomes Jonathan Udy as New Sales Manager

    Specialized Power Solutions Welcomes Jonathan Udy as New Sales Manager

    Specialized Power Solutions is excited to welcome Jonathan Udy to their team! Jonathan joins Specialized Power Solutions with over a decade of experience in the electrical industry, beginning his career as a Journeyman Electrician working across commercial and industrial projects. He later transitioned into power distribution sales with ABB, where he spent over six years… Read More…

Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.

ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More

Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More

Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More

JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More

Latest Articles

  • Festo: Machine Safety – Why It Matters & How to Achieve It

    Festo: Machine Safety – Why It Matters & How to Achieve It

    For OEMs, machine builders, engineers, and plant managers, machine safety is more than regulatory compliance; it’s a responsibility to workers, a commitment to customers, and a strategic advantage. Every machine on the factory floor has two sides: its potential to drive productivity, and its potential to cause harm. Striking the right balance between performance and… Read More…

  • What Does Being a Gold Level Rockwell System Integrator Mean for Actemium Canada Clients?

    What Does Being a Gold Level Rockwell System Integrator Mean for Actemium Canada Clients?

    What does being a Gold Level Rockwell System Integrator mean to Actemium Canada clients? The obvious answer is that Actemium Canada brings a high level of expertise, knowledge, and experience to every project. But it also means added value in ways many people may not realize, including cost savings on hardware and an extended 3-year… Read More…