Posted to News on 26th Apr 2007, 20:47
Motion design and drive configuration made easy
ECAM-4, Elau's engineering toolkit for motion design and drive configuration, is now available in its updated version 3.0. With the addition of new functions - such as a simplified user mode with quick sizing and error detection in the new motor editor - even new users can achieve fast and reliable results. ECAM V3.0 also integrates the new PacDrive iSH series intelligent servo modules.
The ECAM-4 engineering toolkit was developed by Elau for motion control applications in electronic packaging machines. With the motion designer from ECAM-4, highly complex motion profiles can be easily edited, even for multi-axis systems with virtual or real master axes. The tool's second main function is the sizing calculator. Open to cam disc tables of various formats, the sizing calculator is equipped with a database that facilitates the fast and reliable configuration of servo drives using motor drivetrain data as well as pre-defined applications.
ECAM-4 V3.0 now supports German, Italian, French and English. The user interface has also been revised to provide a clear representation of the drivetrain and available options.
With its multitude of new or automated functions, ECAM-4 V3.0 paves the way toward achieving a result and improving its quality as well. With a choice of Expert and Standard modes, new users can achieve more reliable results faster. In standard mode, the tool offers straightforward axis configuration and quick sizing with fewer clicks. Moreover, five new position modes facilitate motion design. Round table, roll feed, belt drive and coupling elements have been integrated into the mechanical configuration.
The sizing calculator now has a motor editor that automatically calculates whether the respective combination of drive and motor is permissible. In addition, the complete gearbox data can be imported from Alpha. Thanks to a mass and inertia calculator, complex calculations for determining inertia are no longer necessary. The inertias of various components, such as shafts and couplings, are automatically calculated based on their dimensions. During configuration, energy consumption and braking power are calculated and the user is alerted to excessive current or resistance values.
