Electronic Drives and Controls Field Service Engineer Scott Sullivan Featured in Webcast

Congratulations are in order to Electronic Drives and Controls Field Service Engineer Scott Sullivan who joined CFE Media and Technology for a VFD Technology focused webcast on September 14, 2022. Find the full webcast here!

Sullivan has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and specializes in the application of variable speed drive (VFD) technology and on-site field service of AC drives. Since joining EDC in 2016, Sullivan has served on EDC’s field service support team performing repairs, preventive maintenance services, start-ups, training, and much more for AC & DC drives, PLCs and factory automation. 

This webcast was well received by over 260 participants and focused on helping to explain why markets for variable speed drives are growing so precipitously and how they contribute towards efforts for enhanced productivity and sustainability in a wide range of industries.

“Scott did an amazing job and the information presented was a tremendous resource for all. This was a team effort and the team behind Scott’s webcast also deserve major kudos. Peter put together an excellent presentation and the product built was highly regarded by CFE Media,” said Deborah DeLuca, Vice President of Electronic Drives and Controls.

“The audience was highly receptive, and their questions were sophisticated and in-depth showing the level of the audience EDC and CFE Media attracted.” Any unanswered questions and answers will be published as part of a promo of archived webcasts along with the transcript.

 

Webcast learning objectives: 

  • AC drives significantly reduce energy consumption 
  • Common applications for AC drives
  • Common methods of AC drive regulation

 

 

More info on the event is provided by CFE Media below:

Variable speed drives provide effective speed control of AC motors by manipulating voltage and frequency. Controlling the speed of a motor provides users with improved process control, reduced wear on machines, increased power factor and large energy savings.

The most significant energy savings can be achieved in applications with a variable torque load. Reducing a fan’s speed in a variable torque load application by 20% can achieve energy savings of 50%. Therefore, for most motion control applications, reducing motor speed is often the easiest way to get large energy savings.

AC drives significantly reduce energy consumption by varying the speed of the motor to precisely match the effort required for the application. To vary the speed of the motor dynamically, a closed-loop regulator that considers the measured output of a process is required. Common applications where this is used include pressure, level and temperature control. The most common method of regulation is the PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) control loop.

Want to hear Scott’s webcast that could transform your energy savings and efficiency? Listen here!

 

EDC Scott Sullivan webcast social (1)

Overcoming Supply Chain Issues in Automation Through Flexibility

Since the start of the Covid-19 Pandemic, supply chain issues have been on everyone’s mind. It’s a universal problem that is not industry exclusive and has progressively gotten worse in 2022 as demand has soared.

The automation industry today seems to be at its wit’s end. Everyone needs parts, but parts aren’t available. Deadlines are getting pushed back. Lines are down. It’s getting harder and harder to put out these fires. 

Below are methods that Electronic Drives and Controls has employed to better tackle these supply chain issues and bring their clients relief.

Stay Early, Stay Ahead 

Evolution during a crisis is imperative to a business’ survival, so it will come as no surprise that many integrators have made certain changes to keep up with the ever-changing tides. EDC has always been creative in their problem solving, so it was an easy pivot for them to make a slight change in their project planning by sourcing parts as their first step, or as early in the process as possible.  

“On the front end of an upcoming project’s discussion, we tend to now look at availability of parts even before we start our engineering process. We used to engineer it, then find out that certain parts were not available, and then we would have to re-engineer it if we wanted to meet a particular delivery,” said Chuck Dillard, vice president of EDC. “Now, it’s a lot of coordination between our purchasing and engineering departments to pick the right parts and design around what’s available.”

Through front end work on a project, engineers can predict pitfalls and pivot where needed. Having an early plan and changing where needed is better than coming in later and improvising when challenges arise. This flexibility can be crucial during supply chain constraints.

Utilizing Third-Party Manufacturers

EDC has also turned to third-party manufacturers to help address challenges. Third-party manufacturers can be difficult to choose from and it takes extensive research, time, and experience to understand how to credibly source parts. When you’re on your own, there are quality and safety concerns to consider when ordering off of the web – that’s why EDC has invested the necessary time and effort to research and connect with the right sources. 

“For instance, if we want to get an Allen Bradley PLC, we go to Turtle & Hughes and we place an order with them. They order from the factory and then the factory says, ‘Oh, that’ll be four or five months,’ but we really need that PLC right away,” said Bob Pusateri, director of business development at EDC. “So, we purchase components from alternate sources.”

EDC keeps a well-researched list of possible sources in their back pocket to acquire parts as quickly as possible. They rely on their proven expertise to discern whether a part will be usable, even from somewhat-controversial online auction sites like eBay. They don’t make any sourcing decisions lightly, and they always employ a proper investigation before committing to a purchase. With the risk of faulty seals, or other safety measures at stake, working with an industry expert like EDC is crucial to ensuring the successful delivery of these hard-to-find items.

A Vendor-Neutral Strategy

As a system integrator and field service team specializing in over 40 drive brands, Electronic Drives and Controls maintains a vendor-neutral strategy, meaning they do not prescribe to only one OEM for all their projects. This has allowed the company to be more flexible and pull from an array of manufacturers. In turn, EDC is able to compare pricing and capabilities between vendors, allowing them to pass along the added value to their customers. 

Having strong alliances with world-class hardware and software providers around the nation, EDC has done the background work to ensure that their customers are getting the quality that they have come to expect. Through good relationships and a strong network, EDC has lowered lead times and sourced parts that would have otherwise been inaccessible.

The Benefits of Mixing and Matching

With an ample and extensive network of contacts, EDC has the added benefit of being able to pull parts from multiple resources when they’re ready, and as soon as possible. By utilizing a vendor-neutral approach, EDC is able to ‘mix and match’ parts for systems. By sourcing appropriate parts from alternative resources, EDC is able to better maintain project timeline expectations, allowing projects to be completed faster and with much less downtime.

In addition, through mixing and matching, the more cost-effective alternative can be purchased. Using one OEM for the HMI and another for the PLC offers the option to now choose the less expensive parts. This can also help cut down on the time needed to make a purchase, which means more time is going into actual engineering for the project.

What Does the Future Hold for the Supply Chain? 

Last summer, if you had asked a supplier when they expected the supply chain to start improving, they would have most likely estimated the summer of 2022. Yet, as most of us well know, that time has come and gone, yet supply challenges remain. 

Today, there is a mixed review, with some saying it’s getting better, and some of the opinion that it’s getting worse. This unpredictability can understandably be worrisome, but it is not cause for panic. 

When you’re stuck with downtime that is troublesome or you can’t get parts for the system that you rely on, EDC is proud to be your warranty. The supply chain is scraping the bottom of the barrel and the outlook is uncertain. Call on EDC, an experienced and knowledgeable integrator, to navigate this volatile landscape and make conscious decisions on your behalf. EDC has the resources to get your systems up and running.

Start a conversation with EDC here to source the parts you need today!

Electronic Drives & Controls, Inc. to Showcase Innovative Solutions for the Wire and Cable Industry at 2023 Interwire Trade Exposition

EDC Interwire event press release

EDC will exhibit at booth #1259 May 9-11 during the 2023 Interwire Trade Exposition, organized by The Wire Association International (WAI), to connect with wire and cable professionals and to share leading-edge solutions to industry pain points. 

Parsippany, NJ – April 18, 2023 – Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC), a leading control system integrator and field service company for industrial automation and drive technology, today announced their attendance at the upcoming Interwire Trade Exposition at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. EDC will be available May 9 and 10 from 10 am to 5 pm and May 11 from 10 am to 3 pm in exhibitor booth #1259 to discuss wire and cable manufacturing solutions with attendees and industry professionals.

“We are thrilled to be exhibiting at Interwire and sharing our expertise in AC & DC drives, PLCs and factory automation for the wire and cable industry with attendees,” said Vice President Chuck Dillard. “With over 50 years of experience in integrating new control systems and upgrading older equipment, we are able to tackle projects of any complexity. We have a top-notch engineering team to design, build and start-up projects, and a dedicated service support team to ensure our solutions continue to operate smoothly for years to come. Our track record of success in the wire and cable industry speaks for itself, and we look forward to showcasing our capabilities at the expo.”

With a deep understanding of wire and cable industry pain points, EDC engineers will be on hand to share the company’s industry experience and an understanding of the many obstacles wire and cable manufacturers face.  EDC has completed projects ranging from small upgrades to full retrofits, from dealing with obsolete drives or PLCs to excessive wire breaks and increased downtime, all with a tailored approach that prioritizes cost and timing.

The Interwire Trade Exposition provides a global resource for attendees to stay up-to-date with the recent developments and innovations in the industry, such as the growing importance of Industry 4.0, including the integration of IoT, Smart Manufacturing, and Artificial Intelligence in manufacturing processes. The conference promises to be an exciting opportunity for wire and cable manufacturing professionals to share knowledge and expertise, network with colleagues, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the industry. 

During the two-day exposition, industry experts and professionals will converge to participate in panel discussions on key issues affecting the wire and cable workforce, copper supply and demand, and the outlook for the steel market. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore industry best practices, including wire break solutions, production developments, and approaches to case-by-case difficulties. 

To learn more and register for the event, visit https://www.interwire23.com/

 

About Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc.

Founded in 1968, Electronic Drives and Controls, Inc. (EDC) is a CSIA Certified control system integrator with deep domain expertise in the wire and cable industry. The company’s large field service team specializes in AC and DC drives, PLCs and factory automation. Family owned and operated for more than 50 years, EDC’s team of engineers and technicians has a vast experience integrating new control systems and breathing life into older equipment. EDC has the engineering capability to design, build, start-up and service projects from the sophisticated to the simple and the service support team on call 24/7/365 to keep it all running at peak efficiency from day one and for years to come. In addition to the company’s certification as a Siemens Solution Partner and a Rockwell Automation Recognized System Integrator, EDC is a factory authorized/factory trained service center for over 40 drive brands.  For more information, visit the company’s website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Amid Supply Chain Shortages, Facility Managers Leverage Preventive Maintenance Services to Avoid HVAC Downtime

EDC preventive services blog

If you are a building owner or facility maintenance engineer feeling the pains of the ongoing supply chain shortages, the cost and delays of replacing Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) replacement parts, or the inability to control motor speed to keep your building’s HVAC system running at peak efficiency, EDC’s preventive maintenance services can help.

Due to the current supply chain challenges across the country, obtaining replacement new or refurbished VFDs and parts for your HVAC system can be a daunting task. This makes maintenance all the more important, particularly in New York, where buildings are tasked with reducing their carbon footprint every year. Failure of a VFD drive could result in the inability to control motor speed, which would lead to the motor running at full speed, a significant factor in not meeting strict energy conservation goals as the ones set forth for New York where energy usage laws are some of the strictest in the nation. Even spare parts need maintenance, which is often overlooked despite its importance.

Having a trusted partner that you can rely on to keep your facility’s HVAC running efficiently in the face of supply chain challenges has never been more important. EDC has been a trusted partner to many of New York City and the tri-states premier commercial buildings for decades. Our preventive maintenance (PM) clients know they can count on us to provide excellent PM services, and perhaps more importantly, to respond rapidly when there is an emergency. We pride ourselves on having the fastest on-site response in the industry – on-site service is available 24/7/365. 

In a client interview conducted by an independent third party, Chief Engineer of a major Commercial Property in NY spoke about the challenges of managing a New York City high-rise commercial office building and how working with EDC has given him peace of mind. During the interview, he described working with EDC, “It is more like working with a partner that truly cares. I know the service people by name because they have been there for many years. Some other vendors have been hit or miss, sometimes providing experienced technicians and sometimes not. EDC always responds as quickly as they can, rising to the occasion when there is an emergency. They don’t try to upsell a new drive, and they try hard to find the most economical solution to meet their clients’ needs.” 

With a strong preventive maintenance service program, Electronic Drives and Controls customizes each program to suit the client’s needs, schedule, and budget. Our commitment to client satisfaction is reflected in every aspect of our work, from the thorough survey of your building’s equipment to the detailed proposal outlining our recommended maintenance plan and estimated costs.

Many commercial buildings have older drives from multiple different manufacturers on the property. Our highly trained service engineers have experience with a wide variety of equipment, as we are a factory authorized/factory trained service center for over 40 drive brands. This allows our engineers to accurately identify areas of concern before they turn into more costly, complicated issues – regardless of the VFD brand, age, model, etc.

At EDC, we emphasize the importance of being proactive and ensuring the reliability of your equipment through regular maintenance. That’s why we are committed to providing top-notch preventive maintenance services to our clients. We use state-of-the-art technologies to monitor equipment performance and detect potential issues before they escalate into major problems. 

EDC provides customized maintenance plans that suit your unique needs, schedules, and budgets. Check out our recent blogs featuring our innovative maintenance services.

Do you need a trusted partner you can count on? If so, reach out to EDC today to not only ensure the reliability and longevity of your equipment, but to achieve peak energy efficiency and reduce your carbon footprint as well.