Introduction to Motion Control
Configurator Overview
In choosing the right motion controller configuration for a positioning
application, several questions need to be answered:
1. How many axes are needed?
2. What levels of power and performance are needed?
3. What are the leading development factors ( e.g. cost, performance, form
factor, time to market )?
4. What are the engineering, integration and service capabilities of the
developer ?
5. What type of market is being served?
In general there are four configurations to choose from, which may best fit the
needs:
1. Chip Set - A chip which
generates trajectory, receives feedback signal and controls the motion profile
of each axes. Requires integration to a PCB for I/O and power to make it a
motion card controller.
2. Motion Cards - A controller
which mounts in a Host PC slot and sends out to all the Amplifiers, which are
being controlled, a +/- 10V command, where each amplifier controls the current
loop.
3. Stand Alone - A controller,
either panel mount or rack mount, which includes the motion controller and the
amplifiers within one integrated unit. Communication to the Host PC or PLC via
I/O or RS232.
4. Network - A control
system, where a Master host controller may drive a large number of distributed
intelligent amplifier slaves, which are all connected to each other is a star,
tree, ring, or a linear network
configuration. Commonly used network systems
include SERCOS, Ethernet / Powerlink and EtherCAT for high performance, and
CanBus, Ethernet and RS485 for lower performance applications.
Chip Set (PMD)
|
Motion Card (Parker) |
Stand Alone Rack Mount (ACS)
|
Stand Alone Panel Mount (Parker)
|
Network (Parker)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Although Ethernet based networks ( both high speed and slower speed ) are
gaining popularity among motion control configurations for their reduced wiring
and ease of maintenance, the other options, including chip
set, high performance
motion cards or stand alone configuration, should be explored if cost, extreme
performance or time to market are critical development criteria respectively.
The following is a quick general
purpose motion controller configuration tool.
In generating the logic model for this tool Optinet has made the following
assumptions:
1. Chip Sets major advantages are in low cost for high volume,
low power and smallest form
factor. Their disadvantages are longer time to the market and the need for the
highest level of engineering capabilities.
2. Motion cards mounted within a PC slot with +/- 10V command to amplifier, are
highly flexible high performance options with requirements for high level engineering, test,
integration and support capabilities.
3. Stand alone configurations, including motion controller card with integrated
amplifier, are the highest performance and fastest to the market, relatively
easy to maintain yet the most expansive options.
4. Network configurations are the default options, with advantages of minimal
wiring, standard plug & play cabling, ease of integration and serviceability and
require lower level of engineering and service expertise.
The chart above displays the distance of the preferred configuration from the
configurator model.
Example of Factory Automation Process Ideal for
Network Configuration ( Courtesy of Parker Daedal / EMN )