Motion Controller includes SERCOS drive interface module.
Press Release Summary:
With SERCOS II digital drive interface, MC464 Motion Coordinator allows OEMS and automation system integrators to benefit from 64-bit multi-axis motion and machine control. Module sends and receives 32-bit control and feedback values for up to 16 axes at selectable data rates up to 16 MHz with servo cycle period down to 250 µs. As bus master, MC464 can accommodate 4 SERCOS modules, providing synchronization for up to 64 axes, with max fluctuation in accuracy of less than 1 µs.
Original Press Release:
Trio MC464 Motion Coordinator Now with High Speed SERCOS Drive Interface Module
o New SERCOS module for MC464 high performance motion controller controls more axes with faster cycle times
o Internationally recognised standard increases customers' freedom to select best motor and drive combination for application
o SERCOS interface suits high speed control and tightly synchronised multi-axis positioning
Tewkesbury - UK - October 2009: Trio Motion Technology has added a SERCOS II digital drive interface to its new MC464 Motion Coordinator range. The MC464 SERCOS interface allows OEMs and automation systems integrators to benefit from advanced 64-bit multi-axis motion and machine control performance, and include application matched drive and motor technologies from a wealth of SERCOS equipped products available from many manufacturers.
The SERCOS interface is one of several digital drive interfaces available with the MC464 which may be freely mixed with a wide choice of fieldbus modules to realise complete Programmable Automation Control systems with up to 64 axes of motion, operator interfacing and I/O plus programming flexibility that includes Trio's own TrioBASIC, G-code or industry standard IEC 61131.
The fully deterministic SERCOS communication protocol is specifically designed for high speed digital motion control - exchanging closed loop control and position feedback data with rapid speed through optical fibre wiring with extremely short cycle times. The well established standard also includes a service channel for progress, status, and diagnostics data exchange. Trio's MC464 SERCOS digital drive module sends and receives 32 bit control and feedback values for up to 16 axes at selectable data rates of up to 16MHz with a servo cycle period down to 250 microseconds. As the bus master, the MC464 Motion Coordinator can accommodate 4 SERCOS modules - providing precise synchronisation for up to 64 axes in position or speed mode with an impressive jitter value or maximum fluctuation in accuracy of less than 1 microsecond.
Such high performance suits tightly coordinated positioning applications using linear and rotary servo drive and motor technologies and the availability of third-party SERCOS equipped vector drives, stepper drives, I/O modules, sensors and PLC interfaces allows almost any kind of automation or machine control system to be realised.
Furthermore, as SERCOS drives can be located up to 50 metres apart with plastic fibre cabling, or up to 250 metres for glass cables, large scale automation control is possible with reduced wiring and fast installation times. The tried and tested SERCOS protocol, with over 2 million nodes in operation today, also decreases connectivity problems and helps to reduce development timescales and costs with simplified machine design and faster machine build.
The MC464 central controller is Din-rail or panel mounted and includes I/O, status display, SD card memory expansion, an axis synchronisation port and master encoder input. Built-in programming and communications ports include Modbus, Hostlink, Ethernet IP, CANopen and RS232/485. Expansion modules including the MC464 SERCOS digital drive module simply clip mount to the MC464 central controller for a smart and cost effective control solution. This scalability is ensured with system expansion available by simply installing additional modules to use only those features required for the application.
The plug and play simplicity of the MC464 includes the Trio Motion Perfect programming environment which provides users with an easy to use Windows based interface and with time saving tools designed for setting up, commissioning and diagnostics across all of the Motion Coordinator range. For the MC464 SERCOS module, this includes automatic bus identification and a drive wizard that creates a TrioBASIC configuration program to automatically run at start-up - initialising and setting all individual drive and component parameters on the ring. TrioBASIC also includes several commands specifically for SERCOS drives, exploiting the potential for diagnostics via the service channel and providing easy access to internal parameters of equipment on the ring for much simplified control.
The TrioBASIC multitasking programming language is used across the Motion Coordinator range and has a 20 year history for fast and uncomplicated programming from simple single axis applications to the most complex motion and combined machine control systems. Digital 24V registration handling inputs are available on the SERCOS interface and remote position capture can also be implemented on some third party SERCOS drives.
Users may also choose the industry standard IEC 61131-3 option for PLC programming with PC based tools for Ladder Diagram and Structured Text along with Instruction List, Function Block Diagram and Sequential Function Chart programming.
SERCOS applications can also benefit from the MC464 factory communications module which is based upon the Anybus® CompactCom interface system. Fieldbus and communications modules available include Profibus, DeviceNet, CANopen, Modbus-TCP and -RTU, CC-Link, USB, Bluetooth and many more.
