Project Description
Overview
Certain power tools can create a major safety hazard if not shut off properly before plugging them back into AC power. An angle grinder at full starting torque can become a heavy projectile if not secured properly by the operator. This customer wanted to offer a safer product as well as provide enhanced features such as variable speed, thermal overload protection, and the all-important restart prevention. DEIL’s two decades of motor control experience developed a compact, variable select switch control that prevents the motor from restarting when there is loss of power without switching the tool off.Challenges
- Needed universal motor control experience
- Compact design for power tool: HMI and closed loop PID motor control
- Critical speed control at various settings
- No restart when power is disrupted – safety critical
- Requires ‘soft start’ to improve operator control
- Built in over-heating cut off control
- Dust and vibration proof design
Services Performed
- ODM design
- Hardware, software and mechanical design
- Certification testing
- Tooling
Results
- Custom designed compact step/thumbwheel speed control for rugged grinder application
- Features included: restart prevention, soft start, thermal/over-heating shut off
- Speed/torque precise control with closed loop PID circuit