Upgrade for digital servo controller

Digital servo controller adds command and feedback interfacing between digital automation platform and piezo/ceramic servomotor drives and galvo based servo systems.

Aerotech's Nservo digital servo controller was developed to provide interconnectivity between existing analogue servo drive systems and the FireWire based A3200 digital automation platform as a performance and function upgrade.

The Nservo has been further improved to include command and feedback interfacing between the A3200 and piezo/ceramic servomotor drives and galvo based servo systems.

This feature will be of interest to users of existing piezo and galvo drives but will also be a benefit to system designers considering new-build motion and machine control applications using this technology.

It will also provide manufacturers and system integrators using any mix of servo, piezo, ceramic or galvo driven multi-axis positioning systems, the potential to upgrade and extend the life of their capital investment - by replacing their performance and function limited motion and machine control systems with the award winning A3200 digital automation platform, while retaining their existing servo drives, motors and positioning components.

Aerotech's A3200 digital automation platform is a Windows based, software only machine and motion control system with IEEE1394 (FireWire) distributed and fully deterministic control architecture combining a motion engine (Nmotion) and optional modules for HMI (Nview), soft PLC (Nlogic) and vision (Nvision).

Programming capability is extremely flexible and includes native RS274 G-code and the high-level AeroBasic.

Full Net capability is realised along with C, C++, VisualBasic and optional LabView programming.

Additionally the soft PLC module may include an optional IEC61131 industry standard programming interface.

With comprehensive vision analysis tools available the A3200 provides a complete programming environment for all machine and motion control functions.

It is also supported by dedicated commissioning and set-up tools and its high level of integration helps to dramatically reduce machine wiring, lower setup costs and improve reliability.

The A3200's FireWire network provides communication with each Nservo digital controller which in turn, is interfaced to the customers' existing analogue amplifier via three-phase +/-10V outputs with 32MHz quadrature encoder or optional resolver based feedback options.

The A3200 is capable of controlling up to 32 axes of synchronised motion with a 20kHz servo update rate from simple point to point moves to the most complex electronic gearing: "on the fly" trajectory modification, software camming and velocity profiling.

High speed I/O functions for registration and position latching are included as well as the acclaimed PSO command (position synchronised output) which precisely synchronises laser firing with multi-axis position.

The Nservo digital controller is available in two or four axis versions, each equipped with two FireWire ports and an optional 10Mbit/s Ethernet interface which may be used to add third party I/O, PLC or other control components to the system.

Each unit is powered by a direct-online 100 to 240V AC voltage supply at 50 or 60Hz.

A comprehensive array of digital and analogue I/O includes dedicated 24V optoisolated inputs for end-of-travel, home and emergency stop with another eleven optoisolated 24V general purpose inputs available, plus high speed positioning latching inputs.

A dedicated drive enable output is provided per axis with a further eight 5-24V general purpose outputs supplied.

The analogue I/O complement includes four 16bit inputs and two 16bit outputs.

All I/O connections are made via easily removable screw terminal connectors.

For connection to each existing drive, the Nservo's has a three-phase, +/-10V output per axis.

Two outputs are driven directly by the Nservo's DACs and the third output is their summation to provide third phase generation for commutated motors.

Encoder feedback connections are standard with resolver feedback options available.

Other features allowing easy system connection for the servo include fail safe brake outputs and a 5V DC, 500mA user power output for encoders and limit switches.

Each unit also includes a 48bit programmable I/O block which is user definable as an input/output byte pattern using the A3200 software.

Three Nservo models fulfil interconnection with almost any type of existing analogue servo system.

The Nservo-TB option is used for all third party servo amplifiers and piezo/ceramic drives where removable screw-terminal connectors are used to interconnect the required functions.

The -DB range is used for system upgrade of existing Aerotech amplifiers such as the BA series where 25 pin, D type connectors are used for amplifier and encoder connection.

The -OP model is used for older Aerotech legacy products such DR300, DR500, DR600 and DR 800 drive racks where a single connector will interface to the racks using the OP cable assembly.

For additional motorised servo axes or for completely new systems, the A3200's motion module may be complemented with Aerotech's full-featured Ndrive servo amplifiers available in a wide range of power options from 10 to 100A peak at 320V DC with two- or three-phase AC line input or DC input.

These CE approved servo drives are available with PWM and linear power stages with digital current, velocity, and position loops for improved motion stability with encoder or resolver feedback.

Each Ndrive includes a complement of I/O and optional Ethernet interface for system expansion to third party devices.

Rack mounted versions (Npaq) and stepper drives (Nstep) are also available.

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