DSP based motion controller takes servo onboard

A new device provides full featured and high-performance alternative to PC-card hardware based motion control systems with significant cost and time saving benefits.

The uMAXB series, FireWire B Cat5 networked and DSP based single-axis motion controller with integrated 900W peak servo amplifier is a full featured and high-performance alternative to PC-card hardware based motion control systems with significant cost and time saving benefits.

Measuring just 75 x 75 x 32mm, the compact and modular unit is intended for direct mounting on robotics and automation equipment with daisy-chained FireWire networking and power cabling supplemented with localised motor and feedback connection.

In comparison to traditional, centralised PCI-slot motion control systems, often necessitating connector breakout boards, the uMAXB is more easily installed with a cabling reduction of up to 60% and further benefits of increased reliability and reduced inventory.

The uMAXB is part of a family of single and multi-axis integrated servo amplifiers with common interfacing and programming manufactured by Agile Systems, the leading Canadian based developer of motion control and power amplifier technology.

The range is based around Agile's digitalPower core drive technology with high speed networking including IEEE1394, Ethernet, RS485 and RS232; providing highly compact and competitively priced distributed motion control solutions.

Agile is represented in the UK by LG Motion, a new company providing in-house design, manufacture, service and application support for its wide range of motion control and positioning systems.

The uMAXB is quickly set up and installed using DPWin, Agilie's PC-based graphical environment for configuration, tuning and analysis.

Motion programming is completed with MAXCLib, an ANSI C/C++ library and application development program with motion and machine control commands including absolute and relative moves with S-curve or trapezoidal profiles, setpoint streaming for position-velocity-time (PVT) or position-time (PT), move sequencing, I/O handling, scanned and timed events as well as all program flow and conditional events.

Demanding motion control functions such as fast registration, flying shear and electronic gearing are supported and simplified for applications in industrial robotics, PCB assembly equipment, laboratory automation, semiconductor process and fabrication and high-speed packaging equipment.

The impressive specification for the uMAXB includes a 4kHz position loop and 20kHz current loop with an advanced PID servo algorithm with full velocity, acceleration, jerk and feed-forward terms with sinusoidal commutation for smooth servo performance.

Machine control and safety interfacing is handled by a full I/O complement including two optoisolated digital inputs and outputs, two 12bit analogue inputs, two differential inputs and two brake outputs rated for 12-24V at 1A.

Motor voltage is rated at 90V DC with power ratings matched to 900W peak.

The amplifier is essentially for brushless motors but may be configured for brushed DC, voice-coil and stepper motor drive.

Quadrature encoder feedback up to 32MHz is supported as well as sin/cos encoders with interpolation up to 4096.

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