Allowing application solutions to be user-programmed and configured as required, the MOVIFIT FDC decentralized field controller from SEW-Eurodrive enables the construction of modular and flexible materials handling systems. Together with the MOVIGEAR mechatronic drive system and the company’s Single Line Network Installation, energy-saving, easy-to-install drive solutions can be implemented. Standardized function modules can be controlled via Profinet or Ethernet/IP and allow for easy diagnostics and maintenance, in addition to their short startup phase and quick reaction times. The FDC comes in a parameterizable variant with preconfigured application solutions for all types of materials handling technology or in an IEC 61131-programmable version for customer-specific solutions. The application software runs on the controller, where data sets are also saved. Access to the device is accomplished using USB or industrial Ethernet. For system control, the controller has openings on top for all Fieldbuses and has interfaces for the Ethernet protocols Profinet IO, Modbus TCP and Ethernet/IP. The individual axes are connected to the controller via a system bus on the input side. The SNI (Single Line Network Installation) technology from SEW has the significant advantage that instead of a 400 V supply system and communication bus, only one line is needed, which is used to daisychain all MOVIGEAR SNI drives. The communication for the SNI is modulated onto the power cable, which reduces time and effort needed for cabling and startup. This bus also provides good diagnostic options. The CAN-based SBus system bus from the company can be used for especially dynamic applications. It combines the controller with the MOVIGEAR SBus mechatronic drives. This provides the user with short reaction times and access to complex technology functions such as an electronic cam. Up to 10 participants can be connected to the SNI, and further ones via the SBus. In all, FDC can control a total of 16 drives. Graphical parameterization is made extremely easy with the help of preconfigured application modules that run on the controller. The three application modules – speed control, bus positioning and rapid/creep speed positioning – cover most of the processes that arise in intralogistics. The individual axes are selected and configured using the software. Only the DIP switches need to be set on the mechatronic drives. An SD card in the control saves all the drive data. If a MOVIGEAR is replaced in the course of servicing, the parameter set is automatically reloaded to the drive. The device can then be replaced without any special programming knowledge. The application configurator allows for easy and quick function diagnostics through a display with traffic-light colors. Using the graphical diagnostics, one can test the drive system even without a higher-level controller and start it up quickly and easily. This makes even complex functions easy to use. The same application software can also be used for startup, PLC control and data storage for other drive systems from the company. Users can also mix installation topologies regardless of their preferred topology.
Edited by: Teoman Tugsuz
