Motion controller with IEC 61131-3 functionality

Yaskawa motion controller extends advanced control, monitoring and communications functionality to 1 and 1.5 axis applications.

November 29, 2010

The Drives and Motion Division of Yaskawa America announces the release of the MP2600iec motion controller. The controller provides motion control of 1 or 1.5 axis along with machine control. Yaskawa is reportedly one of the first in the industry to provide full IEC61131-3 functionality in a 1/1.5 axis controller. The controller extends the MP product family, which now includes three controllers covering the range from 1 to 16 axes.

The MP2600iec machine controller supports all five IEC61131-3 programming languages: Ladder Diagram, Function Block, Structured Text, Sequential Function Chart and Instruction List. The Function Block language provides execution of MotionWorks PLCopen function blocks. These pre-programmed blocks provide all of the standard functionality required for most motion control applications, eliminating the need for custom programming.

For many machine control applications, the MP2600iec machine controller can provide complete control and monitoring, eliminating the need for a separate PLC or other low-level controller. The MP2600iec motion controller provides machine control and monitoring via 15 discrete inputs, 11 discrete outputs, one analog input and one analog output. All of these inputs and outputs can be controlled via execution of any of the five IEC 61131-3 programming languages.

Interface to automation, monitoring and control systems external to the machine are provided by the discrete and analog I/O, or via the EtherNet/IP and Modbus/TCP digital networks.  An optional OPC server allows for the transfer of real time data over Ethernet from the machine process to the factory network.   The MP2600iec motion controller also includes full Web server capability, allowing access to the controller from any standard web browser.

The entire family of MP controllers including the MP2600iec controller is programmed with Yaskawa’s MotionWorks IEC software, either MotionWorks IEC Express or MotionWorks IEC Pro. MotionWorks IEC Express allows programming in Ladder Diagram, Structured Text, and Function Block and is well suited for less complex machines that require only one task. MotionWorks IEC Pro has all the features of Express, but also offers 16 prioritized tasks. It also gives users easier control of machine states via Sequential Function Chart, and it includes Instruction List programming.

Both MotionWorks IEC Express and Pro encourage the programmer to take advantage of the best of several programming languages within one development package. Ladder Logic is perfect for representing digital sensory data. Structured Text is a great solution for mathematical algorithms and assignments, and Function Block is best suited for motion control. These languages seamlessly and predictably cooperate with one another. Variables and outputs from a program structure can be referenced by other programs, providing the ultimate automation development environment.

The MP2600iec motion controller combines execution of all five IEC 61131-3 programming languages, pre-programmed PLCopen function blocks and support for the most widely used digital communications networks into one compact and low-priced 1/1.5 axis controller. For many machines, the MP2600iec motion controller can provide complete control and monitoring, eliminating the need for a separate PLC or other low-level controller.

Yaskawa

www.yaskawa.com

– Edited by Amanda McLeman, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com