Posted to News on 14th Jan 2011, 18:26
EtherCAT master module for use with motion coordinator
Trio Motion Technology is promoting its P876 EtherCAT master module that is designed to expand the functionality of the Trio MC464 Motion Coordinator for motion and machine control. The independent, standalone EtherCAT master for motion control provides tightly synchronised control of up to 64 slave axes on the MC464; up to seven modules may be added, each providing eight 100 nanosecond registration inputs that can be mapped to any axis. With a choice of over 50 servo and inverter drive manufacturers currently supporting the protocol, along with numerous I/O systems, sensors, operator interfaces and hydraulic/pneumatic valve controls, EtherCAT technology is currently one of the fastest fieldbus system available and, in combination with the MC464, is extremely well suited to demanding real-time, high-axis-count machine automation applications.
Trio's MC464 Motion Coordinator is based on the 64-bit 400MHz MIPS processor with 64-bit position registers and double floating-point maths for exceptional servo precision. With multitasking TrioBASIC programming, the central control unit includes analogue and digital I/O, status display, SD card memory expansion, axis synchronisation and programming ports with a wide choice of half- and full-height expansion modules for drive technology, I/O expansion, factory and fieldbus communication. Users can choose a four- or eight-axis module for stepper, analogue servo or piezo motor control with several choices of absolute or incremental feedback, and can freely mix modules that support third-party drive technologies including Sercos II, Panasonic RTEX, SLM and now EtherCAT.
The EtherCAT drive interface module is plug-and-play compatible with the MC464 using Trio's Motion Perfect 2 programming environment. As a 100 base-T EtherCAT master, the module has a single RJ45 connector that connects to the IN of the first EtherCAT drive. On power-up the MC464 identifies the EtherCAT module, its connected drives and input/output modules with automatic configuration from a comprehensive look-up list. Additional support is included within Motion Perfect 2 for further drives and other devices. Four LEDs provide visual status indication for Module OK (green) and Module Error (red), with two user-configurable LEDs (yellow) for Status 1 and 2. The user configures the position setpoint update rate for the selected EtherCAT drives, which is currently between 500 microseconds and 2 milliseconds; the MC464 has been designed for 64 axes at a 2 milliseconds update or 32 axes at a 1 millisecond update, and can run at up to 500 microseconds with high-performance drives in lower-axis-count synchronised moves.
Flexibility
Trio says that the flexibility of the MC464 Motion Coordinator range also includes TrioBASIC, TrioPC for ActiveX and further digital, analogue and relay I/O expansion modules using TrioCAN or CANopen. Factory communications options are fully covered with the Anybus CompactCom interface module that offers a comprehensive selection of Fieldbus and communications options including Profibus, Profinet I/O, DeviceNet, CANopen, Modbus-TCP, Modbus-RTU and many more. The MC464 main controller also includes built-in communication interfaces such as EtherNet/IP, CANopen Master, DeviceNet slave, Modbus-TCP, Modbus-RTU and TrioCAN I/O.
With such flexibility, machine builders, OEMs and system integrators can realise programmed motion with a full complement of high-speed registration inputs and I/O-to-axis mapping for tightly synchronised high-performance multi-axis motion using linear, circular or helical interpolation, electronic cams and gearboxes. Support is also included for merging multiple moves directly from CAD/CAM software.
As an exclusive designer and manufacturer of motion and machine control systems, and with no drive manufacturing programme, Trio Motion's independence gives its customers the freedom and flexibility to select and mix the best drive hardware, motor technology and fieldbus systems, with price and performance matched to their specific applications.
Follow the links to find out more about the P876 EtherCAT master module and the MC464 Motion Coordinator.
