Optinet Cloud Analytics TM  Services                                                          Motion Controller - Configuration Assist Tool                                                Copyright © 2011 Optinet Inc.
   
Click RUN. Add parameters to the yellow boxes and observe movement of the model ball.                                                                  
             
Quantity                                                                                     Results  
number of axes per machine   

Most Valuable Criteria

   

no' of axes per process

 
number of machines per process line  

Engineering capability

   

no' axes per year

 
number of process lines per year  

Integration flexibility

   

calculated power per axis (W)

 
Throughput    

Testing capability

   

power per machine (W)

 
estimated power per axis W

Service capability

   

power per process line (W)

 
max acceleration m/s^2 Market                  Primary Choice  Secondary Choice
maximum velocity m/s

Preferred Configuration

 

 no' of axes

moving weight kg

      

 

 axis power  

       

 accuracy

Accuracy      

 motion type

required dynamic accuracy    

 criteria

system bandwidth    

capabilities / flexibility

motion type    

 market

       

est' vs calc'



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 )