Posted to News on 6th Jan 2014, 19:17
NEMA11 integrated microstepping motor, drive, control, encoder
LG Motion is promoting the DMX-K-SA-11 integrated NEMA 11 microstepping motor, drive, control and encoder from Arcus Technology, which is said to be an excellent alternative to open-loop steppers with external sensors for position detection. With a 28mm (1.1inch) square housing and length of just over 70mm for the triple stack motor version, capable of a 0.17Nm stall torque, the DMX-K-SA-11 is claimed to be the smallest industry package for a distributed motor, driver, controller and encoder available today - and is delivered as a true plug-and-play package for cost-effective installation with free intuitive multi-tasking motion programming and set-up software. The DMX-K-SA-11 is a 16-microstep driver that is capable of full, half, quarter or sixteenth microsteps in three different stack sizes, and the absolute encoder is a 256-line (8-bit) device.
With miniaturisation a key factor in many life science and research-related applications, the DMX-K-SA-11 is becoming increasingly popular for its compact size and high torque to size performance. A recent application for a film camera equipment manufacturer allowed the installation of the tiny DMX-K-SA-11 package to drive and position a miniature video camera that required precise run and repeat motion sequences in very confined spaces. The compact system merged into the tight space and the microstepping smoothness, with almost no vibration and excellent repeatability, provided impressive multiple pass visual effects. In another application a multispectral digital still camera lens system that rotates interchangeable colour-transparent screens for use in forensics, biological identification and many other life science areas was developed with the NEMA size 11 package as a very compact and cost-effective option for commercial use.
The DMX-K-SA-11 features RS485 communication and opto-isolated limit and home inputs which may be configured as general purpose outputs together with a single digital output. The BASIC-like programming language simplifies high-resolution position control with up to 1/16 microstepping in combination with an integrated 256 line incremental encoder. An absolute encoder is available as an upgrade. The drive is configurable for 12-24V DC operation and selectable current from 100mA to 1.5A.
Also available are NEMA 17 and 23 frame size versions of the DMX-K-SA offering increased voltage and current with additional digital I/O that may be used for high-speed position capture and event synchronisation. A 4000 count/rev encoder allows fine resolution, whilst a 'stepNloop' feature provides a closed-loop algorithm for high repeatability and accurate positioning. Modbus RTU is also supported.
Other variants of the Arcus DMX series offer integrated microstepping motor + drive + control +encoder, or motor + drive + control only options with a choice of communication interfaces including USB 2.0, CANopen and Ethernet.
LG Motion also offer evaluation kits based on Arcus Technology's DMX-J-SA series as a NEMA 17 frame integrated microstep motor + control + drive for USB 2.0. The package is supplied with everything required to run and evaluate a single-axis motion system including programming and set-up software, 24V-3A power supply , a USB cable as well as a junction board complete with LEDs, pushbuttons and screw terminals that interface with the DMX's complement of opto-isolated I/O and limit and home inputs.
Go to www.lg-motion.co.uk for further details about the microstepping motor + drive + control + encoder package.
