Motion controller with Ethernet, takes encoder inputs up to 15 MHz

Enhancements to this motion controller, the latest product in a series, includes Ethernet 100Base-T, a USB 2.0 port, higher speed performance, larger program memory, and more. It can close a loop in 62 microseconds.

September 9, 2010

Galil Motion Control introduces the DMC-41×3 motion controller series, the latest product in the Econo series, designed to deliver high performance at a lower price. Enhancements include Ethernet 100Base-T, a USB 2.0 port, higher speed performance, larger program memory, analog inputs, and optically isolated I/O. Compared to the older DMC-21×3 Econo Ethernet controller, the new controller offers many speed improvements, can accept encoder inputs up to 15 MHz,  can close-the-loop as fast as 62 microseconds, and offers twice as much memory for user-programs and arrays. The DMC-41×3 is available as a card-level product or packaged in a metal enclosure.

The DMC-41×3 operates stand-alone or interfaces to a PC with Ethernet 10/100Base-T or USB. An auxiliary RS232 port is also provided. The product is available in one through eight axis formats, and each axis is user-configurable for stepper or servo motor operation. The controller can be connected with external drives of any power range, or with Galil’s multi-axis (500W per axis) servo drives or 60V, 3A microstepping drives. Drives install directly onto the DMC-41×3 controller, fitting inside the metal enclosure to save space, cost and wiring. Standard I/O includes 16 optically isolated inputs and outputs for the one to four axis models, and 32  I/O for the five to eight axis models.  Other controller features include PID compensation with velocity and acceleration feedforward, memory for user programs, multitasking for simultaneously running up to eight programs, and I/O processing for synchronizing motion with external events. Modes of motion include point-to-point positioning, position tracking, jogging, linear and circular interpolation, contouring, electronic gearing, ECAM and PVT.

DMC-41×3 Motion Controller Series

– Also from Control Engineering:

Tutorial on common motion control and I/O problems;

Motion controller aids fine art of carpet cutting; and

Targeting Tumors with Motion Control.


– Edited by Renee R. Bassett for Control Engineering, www.controleng.com