Partnership produces drive system simulation platform

ABB, a specialist in electrification and automation technology, has partnered with Typhoon HL, a provider of ultra-high-fidelity Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) solutions, to create the DriveLab ACS880 HIL Compatible digital twin. The realistic, scalable real-time simulation platform is specifically tailored and geared towards simplifying the integration of ABB variable speed drive (VSD) systems.

DriveLab ACS880 is designed to enable customers to quickly test and validate both component and system-level behavior of ABB drives and drive systems. (Photo ABB)

DriveLab ACS880 is designed to enable customers to quickly test and validate both component and system-level behavior of the drives and drive systems – via test automation capability – in real-world applications ranging from compressors, conveyers and cranes to large-scale energy storage, microgrids and more.

The solution serves as a digital twin, integrating the control hardware, firmware and software of the ACS880 drives with Typhoon HIL’s high-fidelity digital models. These digital models virtually represent the drive’s hardware, including its connected components, such as the grid, motors, filters, batteries, protection devices and electro-mechanical elements.

The collaboration with Typhoon HIL will directly benefit customers across different industries, said Chris Poynter, president of ABB System Drives

“The HIL solution allows us to work with our customers to help them shorten their testing and validation cycle with improved speed, efficiency and quality of the process,” he stated. “We can test setups more rapidly, more reliably with HIL solutions, so it’s a great opportunity to add this component to the eco-system.”

ABB and Typhoon HIL will be showcasing DriveLab ACS880 HIL Compatible at the Smart Production Solutions trade show, Nov. 12-14, in Nuremberg, Germany.