The new availability of a comprehensive range of motion control components compatible with the real-time Ethernet-compatible Powerlink protocol is presenting significant design opportunities for machinery OEMs.

With the launch of Powerlink three-phase ac drives, Baldor now offers all the major motion control functions including single-phase drives, a motion and machine controller, and development tools.

Together, this range provides machine builders with an exceptionally versatile control platform that can improve performance substantially, while simultaneously simplifying control architecture and reducing costs.

The introduction of 3-phase ac drives means that users can build all-Ethernet systems with the optimum choice of motor technology for each axis, from small to large loads. Rotary and linear versions of brushless servo, and ac vector motors are all software selectable.

Many machine builders are trying to move to all-electronic architectures, to provide software-centric, highly-reconfigurable equipment. Ethernet technology is particularly beneficial for this, as versions of its single controller can manage up to 200 different machine control components such as I/O, absolute encoders, PowerLinkDS402 positioning drives, stepper motors, as well as up to 16 interpolated axes.

Unlike traditional motion networks, the Ethernet network does not force a machine builder to adopt any particular control architecture.

Baldor UK Ltd is based in Bristol, UK. www.baldor.co.uk