Magnetek Launches Radio Drive Serial Interface

Magnetek Inc., Menomonee Falls, Wis., has announced the availability of its new Radio Drive Serial Interface (RDSI) module for its Flex M receiver. The new RDSI module was designed to allow users to communicate with the company’s Impulse drives through a serial interface, reducing system cost by eliminating relay cards, wiring and labor, according to the company. Communication to any number of drives is achieved with only three wires. When combined with Magnetek transmitters such as the XLTX and the soon to be released MLTX2, operators interfacing with a Flex M with RDSI module can now monitor performance parameters such as drive status, torque reference and output frequency, voltage, current, and power, right on their transmitter’s display unit.

The compact Flex M wireless receiver, compatible with most Magnetek transmitters, features a modular, plug-and-play design which allows one plant to use the same type of receiver component for any size application. Mountable modules are combined to create a flexible, expandable radio receiver system that meets the requirements of a variety of applications, from simple relay outputs to complex I/O and communication networks.

"We are very excited to add the RDSI module as an option for our Flex M receivers," said Ben Stoller, radio controls director for Magnetek. "Not only does the ability to communicate serially with our Impulse drives reduce total system cost but it provides our customers with diagnostic and troubleshooting information on the ground when paired with one of our transmitters with LCD graphic display."