Toshiba Servo Drives and Motors

Toshiba Machine BS Servo equipment can still be found in industrial machines with established motion control systems. Understanding an existing installation starts with identifying its motor, servo amplifier and controller. This guide covers the BS Servo motor families, X Series amplifiers and NCBOY positioning equipment commonly encountered in the manufacturer's documentation.

Toshiba Machine changed its company name to Shibaura Machine in April 2020. Manuals and catalogues for related equipment may therefore carry either name. When researching an older axis, keep the complete model numbers at hand and check documentation under both names.

Before choosing a replacement: matching the power rating is only one part of the job. Confirm the motor family, amplifier compatibility, feedback device, supply voltage and command interface before selecting a motor or drive.

How a BS Servo Axis Works

In a servo system, the controller requests a movement, the servo motor moves the load, and the servo drive regulates the motor current. A sensor reports the shaft position so that the drive can compare the requested movement with the actual response.

This continuous checking and correction is called closed-loop control. Reliable feedback helps an axis reach its target position, maintain speed or produce the required torque. A damaged feedback cable can disrupt the whole process even when the motor itself is healthy.

Motor Families and the 30 W–55 kW Range

Published BS Servo motor tables cover a broad range of machine sizes. Small V Series ZA-type motors start at 30 W. Large ZA-type models include 11 and 14 kW ratings, while the large G Series includes 20, 33 and 55 kW models. V and T Series options provide further combinations of output, speed and inertia.

For motor and drive selection, consider the required torque, operating speed, load inertia and duty cycle alongside the power rating. Inertia describes how strongly a rotating load resists changes in speed. Older catalogues show the range offered at the time. Check current availability before planning a replacement.

Resolver and Encoder Feedback

BS Servo installations may use a resolver or an encoder, depending on the motor and amplifier configuration. A resolver represents shaft angle through electrical signals. Suitable resolver designs offer useful durability in demanding industrial environments.

X Series documentation lists 24,000 pulses per revolution for resolver-based feedback processing and 131,072 position steps per revolution for a 17-bit serial encoder. The resolver itself produces analogue angle signals; the quoted pulse figure describes the system's processed position information. Absolute position feedback and multi-turn position retention depend on the specific hardware arrangement.

Resolution and positioning accuracy describe different things. Resolution tells you how finely position is represented. The accuracy of the finished machine also depends on sensor error, backlash, coupling stiffness and control settings. A high-resolution sensor cannot remove mechanical play.

Checking the Motor's IP Rating

Certain V Series and ZA-type motors are listed with IP65 protection. Other BS Servo options, including some T and G Series motors, have ratings such as IP44 or IP54. Check the exact model and any conditions stated in its documentation.

Connectors, cable entries and the shaft area also need to be considered when assessing installation conditions. The motor's enclosure rating does not establish the amplifier's rating. Each component must be suitable for its own operating environment.

Position, Speed and Torque Control

Position, speed and torque control address different motion requirements. Position control moves an axis to a specified location. Speed control maintains a requested rotational speed. Available modes depend on the amplifier model and its command interface.

Torque control regulates the motor's turning effort. It can support applications such as winding, but the relationship between motor torque and material tension also depends on the mechanism. As a reel's diameter changes, constant motor torque alone will not maintain constant web tension.

Standard X Series amplifiers include configurations using analogue commands or pulse trains. With pulse and direction commands, verify the controller's output format against the drive's accepted input. Connector shape alone tells you little about signal compatibility.

Positioner Amplifiers and NCBOY Controllers

Tiny Positioner amplifiers combine servo amplification with functions for point-to-point positioning. This arrangement can handle suitable movements between defined locations and may reduce the need for a separate motion controller in simpler applications.

The NCBOY model number matters. NCBOY-120 integrates the positioner with the servo amplifier. NCBOY-200 and NCBOY-3200 are separate positioning controllers that can communicate with compatible BS Servo X Series amplifiers through the VLBus-V optical link. Identify which arrangement the machine uses before planning a replacement.

Tiny Positioner configurations can provide digital I/O, RS485, CC-Link or DeviceNet interfaces for connection to a PLC or other control equipment. Check which interfaces are fitted to the specific amplifier.

Digital Inputs, Status Outputs and Brake Commands

Digital signals coordinate the drive with the rest of the machine. Depending on the model, they can handle operation enable, alarm reset, direction permission, limits and brake control. Outputs such as servo ready and alarm report the drive's state to the machine controller. Signal assignments and I/O counts vary by amplifier and positioner.

When a PLC sends pulse-based positioning commands, its high-speed pulse output must suit the drive input. Check voltage levels, common connections, output circuitry and pulse-frequency limits. A brake-control output should also be checked against the brake circuit's requirements before connection; it should not be assumed capable of powering the brake coil directly.

Tuning the Axis

X Series literature describes standard, semi-auto, realtime and manual tuning methods. These support adjustment of the servo response to the connected mechanism. Servo gain settings influence how strongly and quickly the drive responds to an error.

Excessive gain can produce vibration or oscillation around the target. Review the speed loop, position loop, load inertia, mechanical play and filter settings together. Stable motion depends on settings that suit the machine's mechanics.

SHANX Software and Commissioning

SHANX appears in Toshiba Machine documentation as a PC tool for motor selection, motion-profile evaluation, parameter adjustment, monitoring, frequency analysis and tuning on compatible systems. Some manufacturer pages also refer to VelWin. Choose the software and connection method specified for the exact equipment and documentation revision.

Before changing an established setup, save the existing parameters and record the motor identification. Inertia measurement and automatic tuning can move the axis, so confirm that the working area and travel limits are suitable. Settings copied from another machine can behave differently even with a motor of the same power rating.

Regenerative Energy and Braking Resistors

During deceleration, or when the load drives the motor, energy can flow back into the amplifier. This is regenerative energy. Depending on the model and rating, BS Servo amplifiers can use an internal energy-absorption resistor or an external braking resistor.

Resistor selection involves the permitted resistance, energy capacity, load inertia, stopping time and frequency of braking cycles. A mechanical holding brake has a different role: it holds the load at rest, while the braking resistor dissipates returned electrical energy as heat. The two components should be assessed separately.

Starting a Fault Investigation

Record the full amplifier model, displayed alarm and operating conditions. An alarm at power-up, during acceleration or during stopping points to different possible causes. Use the correct model's manual to interpret overcurrent, overvoltage, motor-overload and feedback alarms.

A feedback alarm can originate in the sensor, cable, connector or installation. Check for damaged wiring, poor connections, shielding problems and interference from nearby power cables. Understanding the difference between resolver and encoder feedback also helps identify the correct replacement hardware.

For replacement planning, gather photographs of the motor and drive labels, feedback connectors, supply details, saved parameters and command-interface information. Compare the motor's rated current as well as its shaft, flange and brake specifications. Electrical compatibility and mechanical fit both need to be established.

Availability: Otomasyon AVM maintains technical information and documentation for Toshiba industrial control equipment. We are currently unable to provide a regular supply of Toshiba / Toshiba Machine servo drives and motors. This page supports equipment identification and technical research.