Controller coordinates motion of up to 5 independent tasks.June 1, 2006 -
Integrated with brushless servo, DC brush servo, and microstepping drives, Ensemble Epaq stand-alone controller provides up to 6 axes of motion control that can be expanded to 9 by daisy chaining 3 extra drives. Drive types can be mixed and matched within same positioning system. HMI with IDE software offers GUI that enables users to monitor all aspects of positioning system. Multiple units can be controlled from Windows PC through Ethernet or USB.
(Archive News Story - Products mentioned in this Archive News Story may or may not be available from the manufacturer.)
Original Press release
Aerotech, Inc.
101 Zeta Dr.
Pittsburgh, PA, 15238
USA
Ensemble Epaq Allows Control of up to Six Motion Axes in a Compact, Stand-Alone, Integrated Package
o Up to six integrated drives in one stand-alone controller
o Coordinate motion of up to five independent tasks
o Drive and control linear or rotary brushless, DC brush servo, and microstepping motors
o Program in AeroBASICTM with the HMI/IDE, Microsoft .NET including C#, VB.NET®, Managed C++, Native MFC C++, or LabVIEW® over Ethernet or USB from Windows® 2000 or Windows® XP
o Remote ASCII interface provided for Windows® or non-Windows® programs (including Linux) to command the Epaq through standard Ethernet, RS-232 port, and optional IEEE-488
The Ensemble Epaq is Aerotech's next-generation, stand-alone controller for applications from basic laboratory experimentation and general purpose positioning to advanced OEM systems. The Ensemble Epaq provides up to six axes of motion control in one integrated, stand-alone package. The Epaq can daisy chain three extra drives so that the customer can command up to nine axes of coordinated motion under program control. This flexible configuration allows users to seamlessly mix and match drive types (linear versus PWM, brush or brushless, stepper, etc.) within the same positioning system using a common programming and control platform. Multiple Epaqs can be controlled from one Windows PC through Ethernet or USB. Optional on-board encoder interpolation offers the user programmable axis resolution, including the ability to change interpolation (multiplication) values through software.
Powerful and Intuitive Programming Functionality Unlike most controllers on the market today, there is no need to understand a cryptic command set to generate motion. The intuitive interface allows a user to begin programming immediately. Ensemble online help further simplifies writing motion programs and includes many functional examples that can be easily modified for customer applications. The Ensemble HMI with Integrated Development Environment (IDE) software offers a graphical user interface in Windows®, featuring an intuitive Program Editor, Variable Output window, Compiler Output window, and Task State monitor. This interface enables users to easily monitor all aspects of their positioning system. The Axis Control, Diagnostic screens, and IO Control interfaces are further supplemented by a fully functional Autotuning utility that minimizes startup time and allows optimization of motion axes. System diagnostics are read from the interface. The HMI Windows-based remote software package is included with each unit, which allows the user to upload/download programs, modify parameter files, and analyze motion with Aerotech's advanced graphical tuning package, all from the convenience of a remote PC.
Advanced DSP Control
The Ensemble Epaq uses the processing power of a 225 MHz double precision, floating-point DSP to offer exceptional performance in a variety of applications, including point-to-point motion, linear and circular interpolation, multiaxis error correction, 2D error mapping, direct commutation of linear and rotary brushless servomotors, and on-board servo autotuning. High-speed interrupts and data logging capabilities provide a real-time link to external systems. The Ensemble Epaq also offers high-speed position latching capability and optional single-axis PSO (Position Synchronized Output).
Integral Drives
Brushless servo, DC brush servo, and microstepping drives are integrated into the Ensemble Epaq's compact frame. The Epaq can control any combination of up to six integral drives, while the Ensemble architecture is capable of further expansion (with external stand-alone, single-axis drive units) to up to nine total axes. Because the Epaq can control many different types of motors, users have excellent flexibility in their system designs. Parameters are easily reconfigured for these various motors and feedback devices, so customers can adapt to changing system needs.
Expanded Input/Output Capability
Standard interfaces on each Ensemble Epaq include a joystick port, RS-232, Ethernet port, and USB 2.0 port. Standard on each axis of the Ensemble Epaq I/O are one 16-bit ±10 VDC analog input, dedicated home marker input, over-travel limits, Hall inputs for motor commutation, and Estop input.
For further information, please contact Steve McLane at 412-967-6854 (direct), or via e-mail at smclane@aerotech.com. In addition, the Ensemble Epaq data sheet is available at http://aerotech.com/products/controllers/ensemble.html.
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