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Product category: Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls
News Release from: Parker Hannifin Electromechanical Automation | Subject: Compax3
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 19 November 2003

All-digital servo gains IEC61131-3
programming

A raft of new modular hardware and software options significantly extend the functionality of the latest-generation Compax3 intelligent servo drive.

A raft of new modular hardware and software options significantly extend the functionality of the latest-generation Compax3 intelligent servo drive The new options include IEC61131-3 graphical and textual programming facilities, advanced electronic cam functions, and a powerful PLC controller card which facilitates cost-effective configuration of multi-axis motion control systems

Compax3 series all-digital servo drives are inherently modular and based extensively on open industry standards, enabling system integrators and machine builders to address sophisticated automation requirements without using proprietary software.

The new T30 technology option, for example, enables all programming to be performed in the manufacturer-independent CoDeSys development environment, using the highly popular and intuitive IEC61131-3 language.

Users are able to create motion control programs very quickly and easily, using any combination of PLC-type textual and graphical elements such as ladder diagrams, sequential flow charts or function blocks.

The program structure can be easily understood by different members of the development team, frequently enabling the same code to be used for different tasks.

Parker provides an extensive and rapidly growing library of optional motion control software modules for Compax3, helping users to further minimise program development time.

Based on the PLCopen industry standard, the modules cover a wide variety of control tasks such as absolute, relative, additive and endless positioning, together with numerous status reporting and data retrieval functions.

The latest addition is an electronic cam function developed for applications such as packaging automation, or wherever mechanical cams would be better replaced by a highly flexible all-electronic solution.

Up to 20 cam segments can be defined and linked in virtually any order to create the desired profiles, using the IEC61131-3 programming language, and as many as 36 different cams can be stored and recalled on the fly during program execution.

The master position feedback can be derived from an incremental encoder, the system's real-time bus, or from a virtual master.

This flexibility is further enhanced by an exceptionally wide choice of master/slave coupling and decoupling functions, fast registration capabilities and delay-compensated cams.

The new PLC controller card - known as PowerPLmC - brings exceptionally cost-effective control capabilities to Compax3, effectively turning the drive into a powerful multi-axis controller for combined PLC, motion control and visualisation tasks.

Based on a 32bit RISC processor running at 200MHz, the card uses a multi-tasking operating system to facilitate true real-time control of multiple axes.

A PowerPLmC-equipped drive is ideal as the master in multi-axis systems - especially for applications involving dynamically changing move profiles - because its advanced Fieldbus communication options include a HEDA real-time data bus which allows very tight synchronisation of multiple axes.

The PowerPLmC card also features a fast Ethernet interface and uses the TCP/IP protocol, enabling easy integration with other factory automation processes and offering system builders the opportunity of implementing Internet-based remote monitoring and diagnostics.

Parker's Compax3 servo drives cover a very wide power range from 1 to 20kVA.

There are two medium-power (1 and 2.5kVA) models designed for direct-online operation from standard single-phase 230V AC mains supplies, and 2.5, 5, 10 and 20kVA models which require three-phase 400V AC supplies.

All six models are housed in robust metal cases and feature standard plug-in connectors - all of which are mounted on the front panel for ease of installation and system commissioning.

Compax3 drives can be used for position/location, speed or torque control.

They are suitable for use with any standard three-phase sine-commutated synchronous servo motor fitted with a resolver or high resolution SinCos sensor, and accommodate speeds up to 9000rev/min.

Parker carries a comprehensive range of compatible high-performance brushless AC servomotors and associated mechanical drive components.

Different drive configurations are also available for use with linear motors and torque motors.

Compax3 can be controlled directly from a PC, or operate autonomously from internally stored motion control programs.

These programs can be executed in response to external events, or signals from a host controller or the PowerPLmC controller card.

The latter option accelerates response times through the use of pre-compiled programs, using the drive's integral controller solely to handle specific servo loop control functions.

The integral controller's built-in Flash memory is fully protected against power failure.

Control programs can either be downloaded from a PC, or entered directly using a plug-in operating module that provides simple menu-driven parameter selection.

The PC software provides a highly intuitive user interface and is supported by wizards and multilingual online help; it also features a four-channel oscilloscope function to further simplify setup and performance optimisation.

Comprehensive communications facilities include RS485, with ethernet provided by the PowerPLmC controller option.

Various Fieldbus interfaces are also optionally available, including CANopen and Profibus DP, which supports the Profidrive profile and accommodates data rates as high as 12Mbaud.

The drive also offers industry-standard +/-10V analogue control inputs, for users who wish to migrate existing machines to intelligent digital servo technology without changing host controllers.

Compax3 also offers an optional I/O module with eight control inputs and four control outputs, which uses PLC-compatible 24V signal levels for ease of system integration. Request a free brochure from Parker Hannifin Electromechanical Automation ...

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