Digital Control Board

Aerotech expanded its A3200 Automation Platform PC-software based multi-axis motion and automation control system with the introduction of new 2 and 4-axis digital control boards that allow high volume users to interface the advanced performance capabilities of the A3200 with virtually any size and type of servo or stepper motor drive technology.  The combined software and hardware of the Automation 3200-OEM and the Nservo-OEM control board also offers the company’s volume customers a lower price point and improved timescales through faster machine development and simplified series production when using third party drives. It is available with or without a power supply, for further system cost reduction. The Nservo – OEM includes ±10V current or velocity command outputs, which can be used to drive both traditional and piezo motor amplifiers, and three-phase servo commutation signals with high resolution encoder feedback.   It also includes general purpose and machine I/O interfacing that accommodates most automation system requirements. Requiring only a single Firewire connection to the host PC running the A3200 Motion Composer software, machine systems of up to 32 axes of high performance and totally synchronised motion and machine control may be configured. The new control boards include a choice of electrical interfacing to match the customers preferred drive combination - which may be freely mixed and matched with the company’s own range of advanced servo and stepper drives if required. Essentially a cost-reduced version of the fully packaged Nservo digital controller, the control board accommodates all of the advanced functions available on the A3200 Automation Platform through its Dynamic Controls Toolbox and Motion Composer options. The A3200-OEM Automation Platform’s motion engine combines modules for vision, PLC, robotics and I/O in one unified programming environment with extensive tools for program development and machine set-up as well as advanced optional modules that offer much improved precision and faster throughput rates when compared to competitive motion controllers. It consists of both development and runtime environments. Programming capability is extremely flexible with native RS-274 G-code, AeroBASIC, C, C++, VisualBASIC or LabVIEW.  The extensive Motion Controls Toolbox includes options for five axis contouring, galvo control, and the enhanced throughput module – a separate sensor-based base cancellation device. Motion Composer options include time and frequency-based tuning tools with iterative learning capabilities, loop transmission and harmonic disturbance reduction tools as well as the MotionPAC PLC and development environment; which is IEC61131 and PLCopen standards compliant. The Nservo-OEM is also configurable for dual and triple axis PSO (Position Synchronised Output) with the A3200 - where high speed position encoder pulses, from combined multiple axes in motion, may be used to trigger an external device such as a laser. This feature provides the basis for exceptional levels of precision in laser welding and micromachining processes or where data collection needs to be synchronised with uncompromised precision such as non destructive testing and optical surface profiling.