Yaskawa U1000 VFD Helps OEM Offer a Clean Energy Solution

CHALLENGE

A leader in cutting edge sawmill equipment since 1954, Cleereman Industries in Newald, Wis. They started out owning and operating a sawmill business and now are a manufacturer of a wide range of sawmill equipment that includes Carriages, Track Frames, and Trim & Grading Lines.

Cleereman recently decided to redesign a rotary log kicker in order to increase its size range, as well as transition its hydraulic system to a fully clean electric system. The challenge was the overall size of the log kicker. The resulting machine inertia makes the 15 cycle per minute rate difficult to achieve. The machine’s inertia and cycle per hour requirement would have required a large braking package to dissipate the energy.

SOLUTION

Cleereman turned to L&S Electric for a solution to their challenge.

Initial thoughts of a standard VFD and brake resistor were considered, but L&S representatives recommended a more energy efficient solution. Due to its power regeneration capabilities, a Yaskawa U1000 Industrial Matrix Drive was selected to control the 30HP electric drive system.

This solution allowed Cleereman to get away from the maintenance time and costs that are associated with hydraulic systems, and provided them a cleaner, more energy efficient solution in a smaller package.

RESULTS

Cleereman now can smoothly control the very high inertia log kicker. Whether motoring or regenerating, the U1000 Industrial Matrix Drive provides Cleereman with a clean power solution by maintaining ultra low input current harmonics.

In addition, the U1000’s inherent regenerative capabilities eliminated the braking resistors that dissipated heat from the deceleration of the load.

Cleereman now provides a solution that reduces their customers’ utility costs. The energy wasted using resistors is now diverted back onto the grid. Removal of the resistor package also increases machine lifetime and reduces machine maintenance requirements by eliminating another point of potential failure. Lastly, using the U1000 Industrial Matrix Drive eliminates fire safety concerns that come with using resistors in lumber mills to burn off regenerative energy.