Applications of Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)

In this article, we will learn the various applications of VFD (Variable Frequency Drive).

The AC drive has been around only since the 1970s. The growing popularity of AC drives is due chiefly to their ability to provide adjustable speed control with standard NEMA B design squirrel cage motors.

Other names for AC drives are variable frequency drive (VFD) and variable speed drive (VSD), but we’ll just call them AC drives.

A variable frequency drive (VFD) is a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage of its power supply.

The VFD also has the capacity to control the ramp-up and ramp-down of the motor during start or stop, respectively.

Applications of Variable Frequency Drive

In this post, we will have a look at some general target industries and applications where the VFD is used.

Some of the industries are mentioned below where we use variable frequency drives.

Automotive Industry

The VFDs are used for the following machines.

1. Conveyors
2. Tool Changers
3. Transfer Lines
4. Boring / Cutting Machines
5. Feeders
6. Pressers
7. Welders
8. Shears
9. Parts Positioning
10. Hoists
11. Pumps
12. Ventilating Fans
13. Grinders
14. Deburring Equipment
15. Wind Tunnels

Food and Beverage Industry

Following is the equipment that we use VFD in the food industry.

1. Conveyors
2. Filling Machines
3. Capping Machines
4. Labeling
5. Wrapping
6. Pumps
7. Cutting Process
8. Fans
9. Transporters for Freezing Tunnels
10. Screw Pumps
11. Crunchers
12. Mixers
13. Dough Machines
14. Agitators

Chemical Industry

Here is the list of equipment used with AC drives in the chemical industry.

1. Centrifugal Pumps
2. Fans
3. Dosing and Metering Pumps
4. Granulators
5. Mixers
6. Container Handling
7. Agitators
8. Packaging Machines
9. Dosing Conveyors
10. Crunchers

Textile Industry

The following are the machines used in the textile industry with variable speed drives.

1. Bobbin Winder
2. Texturing Machines
3. Gear Pumps
4. Mixers
5. Extruder
6. Twister and Doubler
7. Drawing Roller
8. Washers
9. Conveyors
10. Beam Wrappers
11. Carding Machines
12. Presser Frames
13. Knitters
14. Weaver’s Loom
15. Dryers
16. Picking Machines
17. Flocking Machines
18. Printing Machines
19. Scrappers
20. Bag Handling Machines
21. Screw Pumps
22. Sewing Machines
23. Cutting Machines
24. Washing Machines
25. Dry Cleaning
26. Ironer
27. Transporters

Paper Industry

A short list of machines used with VFDs in the paper industry.

1. Feeders
2. Crushers
3. Centrifugal Pumps
4. Dryers
5. Winding / Unwinding Rollers
6. Coating Machines
7. Conveyors
8. Cutting Machines
9. Unwinding Machines
10. Glue Pumps
11. Packaging Machines
12. Cutting Machines
13. Ink Pumps
14. Printing Press
15. Assembling Machine
16. Folders

Wood Industry

Some more list of equipment in the wood industry used with the drives.

1. Saws
2. Ventilating Fans
3. Pumps
4. Chip Conveyors
5. Transfer Cars
6. Grinders
7. Saws
8. Conveyors
9. Washers
10. Oven Conveyors
11. Material Conveyors

Metallurgy Industry

The applications of VFDs in the metallurgy industry are mentioned below.

1. Injectors
2. Crushers
3. Conveyors
4. Pumps
5. Fans
6. Wire Drawing Machines
7. Steel Rolling Machines
8. Press and Cutting Machines
9. Plastic Covering Machines
10. Metal Finishing Treatment
11. Stitch Seam Welding Machines

In this way, we understand some general applications of VFDs in industries.

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