|

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

  • Gescan Announces Darrell Jensen as New Humboldt Branch Manager

    Gescan Announces Darrell Jensen as New Humboldt Branch Manager

    Gescan is thrilled to welcome Darrell Jensen to the team as their new Humboldt Branch Manager! Darrell brings over 25 years of experience in single-family and multi-family construction, business growth and development across Western Canada. His commitment to people, safety and service excellence aligns strongly with Gescan’s values and we are so excited to have… Read More…

  • ECS Electrical Cable Supply Announces Justine Geboers as New Branch Manager in Richmond, B.C

    ECS Electrical Cable Supply Announces Justine Geboers as New Branch Manager in Richmond, B.C

    Please join ECS Electrical Cable Supply in welcoming Justine Geboers to the team! As the new Branch Manager in Richmond, B.C., Justine brings more than 20 years of leadership experience across the electrical and industrial sectors. Known for her strong leadership and dedication to excellence, she’ll be overseeing daily sales, operations, and team performance. ECS… 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

  • Rockwell Automation: Boost Productivity & Uptime with a Unified Control Platform

    Rockwell Automation: Boost Productivity & Uptime with a Unified Control Platform

    In today’s manufacturing landscape, reliable production is non-negotiable. So, Rockwell Automation created a unified power control platform to help solve the problems companies face when relying on legacy and fragmented process and power control systems. By combining process, power and motor control in one architecture, you get a connected, intelligent system that simplifies operations, delivers real-time decision-making… Read More…

  • Canada’s Potash Powerhouse: How EB Horsman & Siemens Supports Growth in a Critical Industry

    Canada’s Potash Powerhouse: How EB Horsman & Siemens Supports Growth in a Critical Industry

    Potash is a key part of Canada’s resource economy—and Saskatchewan leads the world in its production. As demand for global food production increases, potash remains essential in supporting agriculture, and Canada continues to be a trusted source of this critical mineral. With long-term growth forecasted in this sector, there’s a growing need for reliable, scalable,… Read More…