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Basic servo solution is a logical step

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 7, 2005

The SmartStep is billed as a logical step into basic servo solutions, with an easy to use, highly dynamic combined servo system for point-to-point positioning as part of a motion control process.

The SmartStep from Micromech is a logical step into basic servo solutions, offering an easy to use, highly dynamic combined (motor and driver) servo system for point-to-point (PTP) positioning as part of a motion control process.

It is designed to offer, in a simple way, all of the performance of a servomotor while ensuring fast, high-torque, high-precision positioning.

Its excellent servo performance, minimum startup effort and very attractive price makes it the ideal solution for machine builders who need a basic, reliable servo drive system for fast, precise positioning of their machines.

To suit a wide range of applications there are two kinds of motor types available cylinder and flat.

There are six cylindrical motor types, ranging from 30 to 750W outputs corresponding to rated torques from 0.095 to 2.39Nm and four flat motor models ranging from 100 to 750W.

Full rated torque is available across the speed range from 0-3000rev/min and a maximum speed range up to 4500rev/min.

Importantly, 300% peak torque ensures the system maintains positional accuracy even under shock load conditions.

All SmartStep models conform to CE, UL, cUL as well as other standards for international use and to make selection and installation as easy as possible, all motors have IP67 connectors fitted as standard.

The drives are easy to set up and easy to program because of the simple to use DIP switches on the front panel enabling the programming of basic parameter settings, including auto-tuning, resolution setting, command pulse input setting, and dynamic brake setting.

The smoothness and responsiveness of the motor is adjustable via the gain adjustment switch.

The SmartStep drive with enhanced parameter settings can be operated via a digital operator panel.

This parameter unit can be connected easily to the servo drive via a cable and can also be used to copy parameters from one drive to another, enabling the use of multiple drives in the same machine with parameters at precisely the same settings.

The drive incorporates auto-tuning online whereby the function counteracts any vibration caused by load variations by adjusting settings automatically and precisely to the machine movements.

It is the logical progression from stepper motors to the servomotor world as the motor does not lose position because the servo system has positional closed-loop feedback.

It has been designed to support big load ratio changes and it is faster and more precise, thanks to the servomotor's use of high encoder resolutions.

Unlike a stepper drive it has a built-in encoder which ensures pulses are not "lost", thereby ensuring accurate and repeatable positioning.

The system is easy to connect and commission via the pre-assembled control cable and two-in-one cable that handles both motor power and encoder signal feedback.

Having been designed with ease of use in mind, only requiring DIP switches to be set for most point-to-point applications, an LCD operator for simple parameter changes and software that provides setup wizards, tuning and monitoring all in one package, its no wonder the range is called SmartStep.

Needing no expert knowledge of the mechanical system (whichever drive is chosen) to obtain the best performance as the SmartStep automatically adapts and sets the optimum characteristics to suit the load.

Even if the load changes, the drive instantly adjusts accordingly.

The cost-effectiveness of the package makes it especially attractive in replacing stepper drives and also mechanical systems which suffer from poor flexibility, for example where multiple products are required to be produced from one process.