New I/O system extends control capabilities for motion-centric machines

The MS I/O System enables direct integration of I/O slices with a Motion-PLC controller. Highly efficient data transfer is achieved via Trio's new MS-Bus interface, a local communication protocol for MS I/O slice connection that provides high data throughput for responsive machine control. The MS I/O system can be tailored to the connectivity requirements of the machine, allowing any combination of digital inputs and outputs, and analogue inputs and outputs.

I/O slices simply 'click in' via forward insertion, with fast and easy mounting to a DIN rail. Connection is achieved via spring clamp connectors for a tool-free, secure installation, combined with push button wire removal, making slice insertion and swapping fast and easy to achieve. Slices are just 12mm wide, minimising the footprint inside a cabinet or onboard a machine.

Up to 16 I/O slices can be directly integrated with a Motion-PLC controller, with extension achieved by adding one or more MS EC (EtherCAT) couplers. Each MS EC coupler can integrate a further 16 I/O slices, and in total, a Motion-PLC controller can be expanded to host 1024 digital ports and 128 analogue ports.

As well as extending I/O connectivity, adding an MS EC coupler can also achieve a distributed I/O system, keeping I/O close to the sensors to reduce the cost and time of cabling. Instead, just a single cable is required to connect the MS EC coupler to a Motion-PLC controller. Multiple MS EC couplers can be connected to a single EtherCAT controller, including third-party controllers, to create complete control across a machine.

Slices click in to the MS EC coupler, communicating with it via the MS-Bus interface, and the MS EC coupler acts as a high-speed bridge to the EtherCAT network. With update rates down to just 125us, this achieves high performance for both motion control and machine control automation. With EtherCAT IN and OUT ports, the MS EC coupler can also be placed at any point across the EtherCAT network.

The Motion-PLC controller I/O slice interface and the MS EC I/O coupler are synchronized to Trio's Motion-iX motion engine, enabling deterministic behaviour across all motion and machine connections. This ensures high-speed, reliable control to optimise control coordination. I/O integration and management is achieved through Trio's easy to use MotionPerfect software for motion and machine set up.

The new I/O system is launched alongside Trio's new Motion-PLC range that provides advanced motion control performance with the functionality and simplicity of a PLC. The new class of controller combines high-performance motion control over EtherCAT plus logic and I/O expansion, enabling faster, simpler machine development. The first controllers in the range are now available to order and scale machine and motion requirements up to eight axes.

The Motion-PLC controllers and MS I/O System can be combined with Trio's servo drives and motors and HMI to create a fully integrated, motion-first machine automation solution.

"The MS I/O System provides device integration capabilities to extend machine control in a flexible and cost-effective way," says Trio President, Tom Alexander. "The I/O slice approach means that machine builders can just add the I/O connectivity they need, while the MS Bus protocol combined with EtherCAT achieves high-speed, deterministic communications to ensure robust and reliable machine and motion control."