Paul Boughton
Baldor is launching a new plug-in motion/machine control module for its Ethernet-compatible Powerlink drives. The controller module eliminates the need for a separate external network controller, along with all of the cabling and panel space that would normally be required. As switching to real-time and deterministic Ethernet-compatible motion control is already proving popular for machine builders, the additional cost savings offered by this new approach are said to make adoption of the technology almost irresistible.
The new Mint Machine Module plugs into a hardware expansion slot in any of Baldor's Motiflex range of Powerlink-compatible three-phase AC motor drives. Two variations of the card are offered: a dual-axis version that will control the host Powerlink drive plus another external drive via a conventional analogue interface; and a high-speed version that also acts as a Powerlink network controller to manage a complete multi-axis control system. Both options are compatible with Baldor's powerful Mint motion language, with its rich development support.
Multi-axis control from the new Mint Machine Module is a claimed to be unique in the real-time Ethernet market. The design approach adds a number of further savings to the already-established cabling reduction and system building and benefits of Ethernet-compatible Powerlink networks. The hardware bill of materials can be reduced, as the module can eliminate the need for a separate standalone system controller. It also eliminates the cabling, power supply, and panel space that would otherwise be required.
Plugging a controller into the drive itself still provides machine builders with complete flexibility of control system architecture, as the drive can be used as a standalone intelligent automation system, as a distributed element of a larger Powerlink network, or as a complete multi-axis motion control system that operates autonomously.
Two further expansion card slots on Motiflex drives also allow a system to be configured with any of a comprehensive range of fieldbus interfaces including Profibus DP, Devicenet, Ethernet IP, Modbus TCP, and CC-Link - to act as a gateway to PLCs or other equipment, plus further I/O including encoder or resolver interfaces for dual loop feedback. The encoder option can, alternatively, be employed as a line shaft encoder for electronic geared motion applications.
For more information, visit www.baldormotion.com
The new Mint Machine Module plugs into a hardware expansion slot in any of Baldor's Motiflex range of Powerlink-compatible three-phase AC motor drives. Two variations of the card are offered: a dual-axis version that will control the host Powerlink drive plus another external drive via a conventional analogue interface; and a high-speed version that also acts as a Powerlink network controller to manage a complete multi-axis control system. Both options are compatible with Baldor's powerful Mint motion language, with its rich development support.
Multi-axis control from the new Mint Machine Module is a claimed to be unique in the real-time Ethernet market. The design approach adds a number of further savings to the already-established cabling reduction and system building and benefits of Ethernet-compatible Powerlink networks. The hardware bill of materials can be reduced, as the module can eliminate the need for a separate standalone system controller. It also eliminates the cabling, power supply, and panel space that would otherwise be required.
Plugging a controller into the drive itself still provides machine builders with complete flexibility of control system architecture, as the drive can be used as a standalone intelligent automation system, as a distributed element of a larger Powerlink network, or as a complete multi-axis motion control system that operates autonomously.
Two further expansion card slots on Motiflex drives also allow a system to be configured with any of a comprehensive range of fieldbus interfaces including Profibus DP, Devicenet, Ethernet IP, Modbus TCP, and CC-Link - to act as a gateway to PLCs or other equipment, plus further I/O including encoder or resolver interfaces for dual loop feedback. The encoder option can, alternatively, be employed as a line shaft encoder for electronic geared motion applications.
For more information, visit www.baldormotion.com
