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Unidrive M700: High-Performance Universal Drives for Demanding Industrial Applications

Modern industrial automation demands more than just motor speed control. Manufacturers need high performance, precise motion control, flexible communication, integrated safety, and simplified machine design—all while keeping system costs and panel space under control.

The Unidrive M700 from Control Techniques is designed to meet these requirements with a powerful, universal drive platform capable of controlling a wide range of industrial motor technologies.

From AC induction motors and permanent-magnet motors to servo and high-performance applications, Unidrive M700 delivers the control performance and flexibility required for advanced machinery.

One Drive. Multiple Motor Technologies.

The Unidrive M700 is built around a universal drive concept, allowing one platform to handle different motor technologies across a machine.

It supports:

• AC induction motors
• Permanent-magnet motors
• Hybrid PM motors
• Servo motors
• High-performance motor applications

This universal approach can significantly simplify machine design, engineering, maintenance, and spare-parts management. Instead of using different drive platforms for different motor types, manufacturers can standardize around a single high-performance solution.

High-Performance Motor Control

When machine productivity depends on precise and responsive motor control, drive performance becomes critical.

The Unidrive M700 provides high-bandwidth motor control with switching frequencies of up to 16 kHz, supporting open- and closed-loop control for induction, servo, and hybrid PM motors.

Its control architecture can deliver:

• Up to 3,000 Hz current loop bandwidth
• Up to 250 Hz speed loop bandwidth
• High-speed motor control
• Precise speed and position control
• Support for output frequencies above 600 Hz in high-speed variants

This makes the platform suitable for demanding applications such as spindles, centrifuges, high-speed machinery, precision motion systems, and advanced production equipment.

Advanced Feedback Flexibility

The built-in feedback interface gives the Unidrive M700 extensive compatibility with different feedback technologies.

Depending on the application, the drive can support technologies including:

• EnDat 3
• EnDat 2.2
• SinCos
• SSI
• HIPERFACE
• BiSS-C
• Resolvers
• High-resolution encoders

This flexibility allows machine builders to select the appropriate feedback technology for their specific motion and positioning requirements.

Sensorless Motor Control

Unidrive M700 can also provide sensorless control for induction, permanent-magnet, and hybrid PM motors.

By reducing dependence on physical feedback devices in suitable applications, sensorless control can help simplify machine architecture, reduce system cost, and improve overall robustness.

High-Power and Modular Drive Solutions

For applications requiring high levels of power, the Unidrive M platform provides modular solutions designed for flexible system configurations.

Multiple drive modules can be connected in parallel to control asynchronous and synchronous motors up to 2.8 MW (4,200 hp).

At the high end of the modular range, the Frame 12 power module delivers up to 500 kW (700 hp) in a single module, helping engineers achieve high power density while minimizing footprint and system costs.

The modular architecture can also support configurations such as:

• Active Front End systems
• Multi-pulse rectifier configurations
• Parallel drive systems
• High-power industrial applications

Simplifying High-Power Drive Integration

Designing a high-power drive cabinet requires considerable engineering expertise. Unidrive's high-power solutions are designed to simplify this process through pre-engineered freestanding drive systems.

The DFS freestanding drive concept integrates the required system components into a ready-to-install cubicle solution.

This can help manufacturers:

• Reduce engineering time
• Simplify installation
• Optimize panel space
• Improve system efficiency
• Reduce project complexity
• Accelerate machine commissioning

Multi-Protocol Ethernet Communication

Modern automation systems often include PLCs, HMIs, drives, remote I/O, and other networked devices. Supporting multiple communication protocols can therefore be a major advantage.

The Unidrive M series provides several industrial Ethernet protocols as standard, including:

• EtherNet/IP
• Modbus TCP
• PROFINET RT
• RTMoE – Real-Time Motion over Ethernet

This allows different automation devices to communicate through a flexible drive platform without requiring separate communication solutions for every system architecture.

For example, an HMI can communicate through Modbus TCP/IP while the central PLC simultaneously uses EtherNet/IP or PROFINET RT for high-performance control.

RTMoE for Synchronized Motion

One of the key technologies available on the M700 and M702 is RTMoE (Real-Time Motion over Ethernet).

RTMoE enables synchronized communication between drives with a cycle time of 250 μs, using Precision Time Protocol based on IEEE 1588 Version 2.

This provides highly synchronized multi-axis control and is particularly useful for applications requiring accurate coordination between multiple drive axes.

Potential applications include:

• Electronic line-shaft systems
• Coordinated multi-axis machinery
• High-speed motion systems
• Precision synchronization applications

By moving advanced motion functions closer to the drives, machine builders can potentially reduce PLC processing requirements and overall system complexity.

Built-In Ethernet Switch for Easy Networking

Ethernet-based Unidrive systems incorporate dedicated network switching capabilities, allowing multiple drives to be conveniently daisy-chained.

This can reduce:

• Network wiring
• Panel space requirements
• Installation complexity
• Overall system infrastructure

For machines with several drives, daisy-chain connectivity can provide a cleaner and more efficient control architecture.

M701: Easy Upgrade Path from Unidrive SP

The Unidrive M701 is designed with two onboard RS485 ports instead of Ethernet, making it an attractive upgrade path for applications using the Unidrive SP platform.

Existing SP parameter sets can be transferred to Unidrive M using a Smartcard or the Unidrive M Connect PC tool.

This approach can help machine builders modernize existing installations while reducing engineering effort during drive replacement or system upgrades.

M702: Enhanced Integrated Safety

For applications requiring enhanced safety functionality, the Unidrive M702 provides an additional Safe Torque Off (STO) input.

The dual STO capability can support safety architectures requiring SIL3 / PLe compliance, helping machine builders implement modern functional safety solutions without relying solely on traditional electromechanical motor contactors.

Integrated Safe Torque Off

Safety is an increasingly important part of modern machine design.

Unidrive M drives provide integrated single or dual Safe Torque Off (STO) functionality, certified to SIL3/PLe.

By integrating safety functions directly into the drive, manufacturers can simplify machine safety architecture and reduce the need for additional electromechanical safety components.

Onboard PLC for Machine Logic

The Unidrive M series includes an onboard PLC capable of executing logic, sequencing, and IEC 61131-3 programs.

This can be useful for applications where certain machine functions can be handled directly within the drive rather than requiring a separate PLC for every control task.

Benefits can include:

• Reduced external hardware
• Simplified control architecture
• Lower system complexity
• Faster local control
• Flexible machine sequencing

Advanced Motion Controller

The Unidrive M700 integrates a 1.5-axis Advanced Motion Controller, enabling motion functions to be performed directly on the drive.

With a 250 μs cycle time, the controller can help minimize system latency and improve machine performance.

Key motion functions include:

• Motion profile generation
• Electronic gearing
• Cam profiles
• Point-to-point interpolation
• Homing functions
• High-speed position freeze / touch probe

Moving motion functions closer to the motor can reduce dependence on external PLC processing and provide greater flexibility in machine architecture.

MCi Integrated Machine Controllers

For applications requiring additional processing power and advanced multi-axis control, MCi modules extend the capabilities of the Unidrive M platform.

An MCi module adds a second processor that can run application programs at significantly higher speeds than a standard PLC in suitable applications.

MCi modules can interact with the drive's Advanced Motion Controller and help deliver synchronized multi-axis machine performance.

The modules can also communicate with:

• I/O systems
• HMIs
• Other networked drives
• External automation components

The MCi210 additionally provides two Ethernet ports with an internal network switch, giving machine builders additional connectivity options while reducing wiring and hardware requirements.

Why Choose Unidrive M700?

The Unidrive M700 combines high-performance motor control, advanced motion capabilities, flexible communication, integrated safety, and onboard intelligence in one universal drive platform.

Key advantages include:

✔ Universal motor control
One drive platform for multiple motor technologies.

✔ High-speed control
High bandwidth for demanding motion and motor applications.

✔ Flexible feedback
Support for a wide range of encoder and resolver technologies.

✔ Multi-protocol communication
EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET RT and RTMoE support.

✔ Advanced motion control
250 μs motion cycle for responsive machine control.

✔ Integrated safety
STO functionality for modern machine safety architectures.

✔ Onboard PLC
Local logic and sequencing without always requiring additional control hardware.

✔ Modular high-power solutions
Scalable configurations for demanding high-power applications.

✔ Simplified networking
Daisy-chain Ethernet connectivity can reduce wiring and panel requirements.

✔ MCi expansion
Additional processing and multi-axis control capabilities.

Applications of Unidrive M700

The flexibility of the Unidrive M700 makes it suitable for a wide range of industrial applications, including:

• Packaging machinery
• Material handling
• Conveyors
• Printing machinery
• Machine tools
• Spindles
• Centrifuges
• Textile machinery
• High-speed machinery
• Process automation
• Multi-axis motion systems
• Industrial production lines
• High-power industrial equipment

Unidrive M700: Built for the Next Generation of Industrial Automation

Industrial machines are becoming faster, smarter, and more connected. The drive system must therefore provide more than basic motor control.

With its combination of high-bandwidth motor control, universal motor compatibility, advanced motion control, multi-protocol Ethernet communication, integrated safety, onboard PLC functionality, and scalable high-power solutions, the Unidrive M700 provides a flexible foundation for modern machine automation.

Whether you are upgrading an existing drive system, designing a new machine, or developing a high-performance multi-axis application, the Unidrive M platform provides the flexibility needed to build efficient and reliable automation systems.

Looking for the Right Unidrive M700 Solution?

Choosing the correct drive depends on factors such as motor type, power rating, feedback technology, communication protocol, safety requirements, and application performance.

Cogent Tech Solutions can assist with selecting the appropriate Unidrive M700 configuration for your industrial automation requirements.

Contact us today for product selection, technical support, and quotation assistance for Unidrive M700 drives.