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Modular motion controls combine precision with high speeds
Published:  30 October, 2012

The German drives manufacturer Stöber has expanded its modular drive and automation system with a motion control system that uses the CodeSys v3 programming environment. The new system is said to fuse control and drive technologies in a modular software and hardware system that can optimise automation and robot applications. Applications involving sequences of complex, rapid movements can be performed easily, with high precision and reliability.

The sixth-generation system (shown above) will make its public debut at the 2012 SPS/IPC/Drives show in Germany in November. Initially it includes a motion controller and drive controls in three sizes, for rated currents from 3–20A. By combining the two types of device, the drive controller can be operated in a controller-based mode.

The SD6 drive controller, based on a 32-bit processor, can read data from an EnDat 2.2 encoder, quickly and precisely. The decoder can resolve about 33 million positions per motor revolution. Because the servo-driven motors in Stöber’s EZ series can be supplied with EnDat 2.2 feedback, the drive controller can be used with them to achieve high positional accuracies. Reference runs are not needed.

The compact, high-performance MC6 motion controllers are available in the form of either control cabinet PCs or touchscreen panels. Depending on the required architecture, the industrial PCs can be used either as pure motion controllers or as high-performance PLCs, both using CodeSys programming.