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Category: Amplifiers & Drives/Controllers
Design News Staff -- Design News, September 21, 2008
Texas Instruments
Floating Point Controller Series
For the first time, the TMS320F2833x controllers from Texas Instruments add floating point capabilities to the company’s digital signal controllers (DSC). The floating point architecture comes in handy when executing computationally advanced algorithms. And with a floating point DSC, software developers won’t have to take the time to create validation algorithms in a floating point environment and later convert that code to run on a fixed-point device. The TMS320F2833x controllers also offer an overall system bandwidth improvement with the addition of a six-channel direct memory access controller that offloads key tasks — such as servicing the on-chip ADC — from the CPU.
Rockwell Automation
Allen-Bradley CompactBlock Guard I/O
Allen-Bradley’s CompactBlock Guard I/O on Ethernet/IP for the first time allows the company’s safety i/o modules to communicate over an Ethernet/IP network. The CompactBlock Guard I/O modules uses the CIP Safety protocol over Ethernet/IP and are optimized to work with the company’s GuardLogix controller, though they are compatible with other safety PLCs, too. The system allows machine builders to embrace a one-network environment, and even common HMIs, for control and safety data. The systems’ inherently distributed nature also allows them to put safety i/o where needed, with less wiring and lower installation costs.
Galil Motion Control
RIO-471x0 Pocket PLC
Galil Motion Control’s RIO-471x0 Pocket PLC packs an abundance of intelligence and i/o into a compact, low-cost package. Costing just $195 in quantities of 100, this RISC-based controller measures 3.88 x 4.26 x 1.30-inches. Yet it packs in eight analog inputs, eight analog outputs, 16 isolated digital inputs, eight isolated 500 mA outputs and eight isolated 25 mA outputs. It also offers two PID process control, a pulse counter, Web interface, e-mail capability and ports for Ethernet and RS232 communications. Capable of operating as a stand-alone controller, the RIO can also be networked, via Ethernet, with other RIOs, PLCs or Galil motion controllers.
Allmotion Inc.
Intelli-inch
Allmotion’s Intelli-inch packs a stepper motor controller and driver into a package measuring just 1 x 1 x 0.5-inches. Capable of controlling stepper velocity, acceleration and position, the Intelli-inch is rated at 1A off the shelf and can be run at 2A with additional heat sinking. The standard product has four inputs: go-left, go-right, limit-left and limit-right. Onboard potentiometers handle max speed and current settings, while a fixed resistor sets acceleration. Potential applications include a variety of space-constrained cameras and other optical devices.
Siemens Energy & Automation
SINAMICS S120 Cabinet Modules
The SINAMICS S120 Cabinet Modules from Siemens make up a modular cabinet system for multi-motor drives, one with standardized interfaces for both the power and control connections. Among its main components are line connection modules with components such as fuses, circuit breakers and line reactors. Line modules for the supply infeed are available in two- and four-quadrant operations, including an “active” variant for four-quadrant operation with negligible harmonic distortions. Central banking, motor, control and auxiliary power supply modules round out the system. A standard PROFIBUS interface, along with analog and digital interfaces, lets users connect the modules to broader automation systems.
Allen-Bradley
Programmable Automation Controller
The CompactLogix L45 programmable automation
controller (PAC) from Allen-Bradley targets small- and mid-sized applications
that require a fast, compact, modular controller capable of handling motion
synchronization and information sharing. The L45 can manage up to eight axes of
motion, allowing the elimination of dedicated motion controllers, PLCs and
relays in some applications. It also allows users to develop machine control
applications--including the motion--in a single programming environment. As for
information flow both on and off the machine, the L45 supports supports
multiple network cards, including DeviceNet, ControlNet and Ethernet/IP.
Schneider Electric
Motor Protection and More
The TeSys T motor management system from
Schneider Electric combines primary motor protection with additional diagnostic
and monitoring functionality--including motor history logging, time-stamped
faults and more. It operates in overload, independent, reverser, two-step and
two-speed modes, all of which are pre-defined in the system. And the TeSys
offers five native communications protocols, including industrial Ethernet
with Faulty Device Replacement feature
that allows devices to be easily swapped out on the network.
Danaher Motion
Motion Controller
The eZMP SynqNet controller from Danaher Motion integrates precision motion control functionality into an expandable, upgradeable industrial computer capable of autonomous machine control and user-interface operation. Aimed at the semiconductor, electronics assembly, machine tool, speciality machine and robotics applications the eZMP's embedded PC modules can handle up to 64 axes of motion and 17,000 points of I/O control. As part of a SyncNet motion control network, it also supports a variety of plug-and-play amplifiers and IO devices. Connectivity provisions include Ethernet, USB, VGA and serial port interfaces.
