Motion control system offers integrated system

A B and R Industrial Automation Corp product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 19, 2008

BandR's Generic Motion Control system includes drives, movement and path control, visualisation and I/O handling.

Machine automation requires the integration of movement and path control and functions such as visualisation, I/O processing and communication.

Anthropomorphic robots, complex CNC 3D processing, multiply-linked axis movements and single-axis positioning have each traditionally represented a separate area of technology.

BandR has introduced a complete platform that combines all components in one system.

BandR's Generic Motion Control system includes drives, movement and path control, visualisation and I/O handling.

Path control with CNC functionality works as an integral part of the complete automation system, which can be configured with a single software tool.

The real-time operating system creates the environment needed for high-precision positioning tasks.

CNC cycle times of 400us allow path precision in the sub-micron range.

Generated set positions are transferred to the drive without jitter via Powerlink.

The required I/O points can be added to the system in an extremely flexible manner.

Predefined visualisation components can also be used to create complex machine functions.

In addition to "classic" components such as parameter configuration and movement program operation, the system includes tools for simulation, logging and process diagnostics.

This provides the foundation for all custom visualisation solutions.

The flexible system architecture and the large number of functions make it possible to customise a machine line to meet specific customer requirements.

The actual expertise of an automation solution can be encapsulated in the application layer rather than built directly into the CNC core, as is the case with other methods.

The Soft CNC allows programs and movement procedures to be programmed according to DIN 66025.

Division into main and sub-programs allows clear management of NC programs.

Helpful functions have also been added to the basic functions defined in the standard.

The extended programming techniques permit the use of elements from a high-level language, such as loops, conditional statements and branches.

Data from application programs on the PLC is exchanged using a powerful interface.

Various access functions allow program execution to be controlled in real-time.

Data, such as the tool radius or even end points of path sections, can be changed while the program is being executed and certain data is available synchronous to the path.

Generic motion control combines the worlds of robotics, CNC, linked axis movements and single-axis positioning in one homogenous system.

Knowledge of complex path designs for robots is applied to tool and production machines.

The control of anthropomorphic robots is also possible, as is complex CNC processing in 3D.

The connection of I/O nodes and the direct linking of PLC functions provide additional advantages for simple implementation of automation processes.