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.
- Conveyors
- Tool Changers
- Transfer Lines
- Boring / Cutting Machines
- Feeders
- Pressers
- Welders
- Shears
- Parts Positioning
- Hoists
- Pumps
- Ventilating Fans
- Grinders
- Deburring Equipment
- Wind Tunnels
Food and Beverage Industry
Following is the equipment that we use VFD in the food industry.
- Conveyors
- Filling Machines
- Capping Machines
- Labeling
- Wrapping
- Pumps
- Cutting Process
- Fans
- Transporters for Freezing Tunnels
- Screw Pumps
- Crunchers
- Mixers
- Dough Machines
- Agitators
Chemical Industry
Here is the list of equipment used with AC drives in the chemical industry.
- Centrifugal Pumps
- Fans
- Dosing and Metering Pumps
- Granulators
- Mixers
- Container Handling
- Agitators
- Packaging Machines
- Dosing Conveyors
- Crunchers
Textile Industry
The following are the machines used in the textile industry with variable speed drives.
- Bobbin Winder
- Texturing Machines
- Gear Pumps
- Mixers
- Extruder
- Twister and Doubler
- Drawing Roller
- Washers
- Conveyors
- Beam Wrappers
- Carding Machines
- Presser Frames
- Knitters
- Weaver’s Loom
- Dryers
- Picking Machines
- Flocking Machines
- Printing Machines
- Scrappers
- Bag Handling Machines
- Screw Pumps
- Sewing Machines
- Cutting Machines
- Washing Machines
- Dry Cleaning
- Ironer
- Transporters
Paper Industry
A short list of machines used with VFDs in the paper industry.
- Feeders
- Crushers
- Centrifugal Pumps
- Dryers
- Winding / Unwinding Rollers
- Coating Machines
- Conveyors
- Cutting Machines
- Unwinding Machines
- Glue Pumps
- Packaging Machines
- Cutting Machines
- Ink Pumps
- Printing Press
- Assembling Machine
- Folders
Wood Industry
Some more list of equipment in the wood industry used with the drives.
- Saws
- Ventilating Fans
- Pumps
- Chip Conveyors
- Transfer Cars
- Grinders
- Saws
- Conveyors
- Washers
- Oven Conveyors
- Material Conveyors
Metallurgy Industry
The applications of VFDs in the metallurgy industry are mentioned below.
- Injectors
- Crushers
- Conveyors
- Pumps
- Fans
- Wire Drawing Machines
- Steel Rolling Machines
- Press and Cutting Machines
- Plastic Covering Machines
- Metal Finishing Treatment
- Stitch Seam Welding Machines
In this way, we understand some general applications of VFDs in industries.
Read Next:
- Types of Motor Loads
- AC Motor Fundamentals
- What is a Submersible Pump?
- What is a Lightning Arrester?
- What is a Power Transformer?
