Permanent Magnet Actuator Design Services

IPEC Engineering provide specialist PM Actuator and Vacuum Circuit Breaker Design Services to the Worldwide Medium Voltage Switchgear Manufacturing Industry. The services are provided through a combination of in-house Design and Development Engineers and Associate Design Consultants to provide the customer with a 'seamless' solution for incorporation of the new PM Actuator Technology into existing (retrofit) breakers or new VCB designs. IPEC Engineering have carried out commercial development projects with Switchgear Manufacturers in Europe, USA and the Far East for over 6 years and in doing so have built-up significant practical experience in the development process. Prior to IPEC Engineering's commercial activities, the Directors of IPEC Engineering were active in the research and development of PM Actuator Technology at Manchester University, UK where the first PM Actuator for MV Switchgear was developed in 1987. It is through the combination of applied research and practical, hands-on product development where IPEC Engineering's competitive advantage lies, providing the customer with world-leading technology and continued product support at a competitive price. IPEC Engineering's exclusive range of MAGACT PM Actuators is supported by our own, proprietary PM Actuator Design Software (MAGACT© Simulation Software Version 2.0) which has been developed by IPEC Engineering as a fast-track option to conventional permanent magnet actuator design.

For further information on IPEC Engineering's PM Actuator Design services please contact us.

Background to MAGACT© PM Actuator Dynamic Simulation Software

IPEC Engineering's proprietary PM Actuator Design Software (MAGACT© Simulation Software Version 2.0) has been developed by IPEC Engineering as a fast-track option to conventional permanent magnet actuator design. The software has been developed in conjunction with Manchester University through IPEC Engineering's sponsorship of a number of Research Associates over the past 6 years. This commercial software development program has supplemented the in-house experience built-up from over 15 years of research on PM Actuators for MV Switchgear carried out by Manchester University's Energy Systems Group. The MAGACT© software is unique in that it simulates the dynamic operation of all types of PM actuators, enabling operation to optimised in terms of speed, efficiency and energy consumption. The MAGACT© Simulation Software is now used as an integral part of IPEC Engineering's Permanent Magnet Actuator design and manufacturing service.

Magnetic Flux Distribution Simulation

The MAGACT© Software was developed from flux distribution plots of PM Actuators calculated using the ANSYS™ Finite Element Analysis software package. Results from over 500 FEA plots were used in the development of the MAGACT© Software. Examples of the FEA plots for a 3000N PM Actuator are given below.

MAGNETIC FLUX Scan of NeFeB Magnets Used in the MAGACT PM Actuator

IPEC Engineering have used advanced Magnetic Scanning Technology (Redcliffe Magtronics MagScan System) to analyse the flux distribution in and around the NeFeB Magnets used in the MAGACT PM Actuators as part of the product design process. An example of this is given below

MAGACT© Simulation Software

The MAGACT© Software simulates the steady state and dynamic operation of magnetically actuated switchgear providing bespoke designs to customer specification. The software is capable of generating an infinite number of designs with each one designed to meet the client's vcb and vacuum interrupter specifications. Through this process IPEC Engineering can provide world leading magnetic actuator designs optimised for a customers dynamic operation, energy efficiency and ease of manufacture. This design service supports IPEC Engineering's manufacturing operation providing bespoke designs and manufacturing licences to the worldwide switchgear industry.

MAGACT© Simulation Software Screen Shot

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