CAN control: Intelligent drive for servo applications

New servo drive combines motion controller, drive and PLC functions.

By Control Engineering Staff July 24, 2008

Technosoft introduced a 3 kW intelligent servo drive that embeds motion controller, drive and PLC functionalities in the same unit. Based on the company’s MotionChip technology, the company says its IDM3000 is designed for servo applications requiring high peak torque, dynamic response and flexible integration features, and can control brushless, induction, and dc motors up to 3 kW, sourcing 10 A continuous and 30 A peak currents at 160 to 325 V. Communication can be done over CANopen, CAN and RS-232 networks.According to the company, the drive is programmable in its high-level Technosoft Motion Language (TML). The motion programming can be done from a CANopen master via a PC or PLC using the appropriate motion library, or directly at drive level, using the built-in motion controller and the company’s EasyMotion Studio platform. The company says TML programming simplifies complex applications by distributing the intelligence between master and drives. Thus, instead of trying to command each step of an axis movement from the master, users can program IDM3000 in TML to execute complex tasks, and to inform the master when these tasks have been completed. Motion modes, such as contouring, profiling, gearing, electronic camming, are easily executed, the company says, in stand-alone or multi-axis operations.— C.G. Masi , senior editor Control Engineering Machine Control eNewsletter Register here and scroll down to select your choice of eNewsletters free.