Looking for AC Motor & Drive Advice

Without knowing your load, details of the drive mechanism and how far and fast you want it to move, can't say whether I'd palmface or what. You say "up and down" ... is it horizontal? Such things matter.

I'd suggest getting all the details together, then contacting some suppliers (I understand Globalspec can guide you there). Let each know that they're not the sole tender. Compare the results - they won't want to price themselves out of a sale.

Remember that if they say it's the right product for the job, it's their problem if it doesn't work (but get everything in writing).

Aye, should have said 'back and forth' as it is vertical.

The base is about 4' wide by 6' long with two v-groove and 2 flat casters. Weight of base is about 860 lbs with about 1,000 of equipment being added to it. I am rating all components for a not to exceed of 4,000 pounds total load.

Track length is 20' with about 13.5' functional travel.

Going with a 2HP, 1750 RPM Motor through a 60:1 Gear Reducer driving a 16-tooth 20-degree 8DP Pinion I'm looking at 15.27 max Feet per Min or 3 Inches per Second. Actual target operating speeds are around 5 FPM and 10 FPM But I'll tweak that as I dial in on the motor and gearbox to ensure the gear teeth are properly sized.

Basic process is… part indexes into position, base actuates about 4' moving process equipment into position enveloping the end of the part. After the completion of the process, base retracts about 4'. Parts index, repeat.

During actual production, base will travel back and forth about 4'. Remaining travel is to account for different part lengths. New part length… new Home position, working travel constant from home.

Operator station will have a PanelView to drive an MMI interface for entering parameters.

I think I've settled on a:

http://www.baldor.com/products/detail.asp?1=1&catalog=ZDVSNM3587T&product=AC+Motors&family=Inverter+%2F+Vector%7Cvw%5FACMotors%5FInverterVector&winding=05WGW611&rating=40C+AMB%2DCONT

and a:

http://www.baldor.com/products/accontrols/vs_vector.asp

be carful of the drive, its an ABB product.. not very reliable!

Thanks for the warning. The thread was more aimed at identifying the family of component, trying to verify the general concept of the component that makes sense for this design.

I selected Baldor because their website is pretty user friendly, especially for electrical novices such as myself.

At this point, I am comfortable with the type of components selected and have no predisposition towards manufacturer.

I am in this position as a result of recently entering the ranks of the unemployed and have gotten some side jobs doing design in an effort to keep food on the table.

Normally, when working for previous organizations, the electrical engineers would select the size/type of components based on the loading calculations I provided. Now I have to do it all so I'm outside of my box but learning quickly.

But, your post makes a valid point. Where I can comfortable identify reliable mechanical component manufactures, I do not have the history related to electrical component suppliers. And, being in the position I am in, I can not afford to recommend marginal components.

Though we discourage direct advertising in these forums, outside of the commercial section, I think asking for advice on reliable brands is ok, so any input would be graciously received.