Friday, March 16, 2001
Chicago--The only constant in the world of PC-based
control seems to be continuous change. At the National Design Engineering Show,
Manufacturing Data Systems Inc. (MDSI; www.mdsi2.com) announced its entry into the
general motion control market with WinMotion, a PC-based component software
solution derived from the same core technology used in MDSI's OpenCNC software
for CNC.
According to ARC Analyst Sal Spada, the announcement signals the
demise of board-level motion control and the continued adoption of PC-based
networked automation solutions for many applications. PC-based platforms allow
engineers to use the latest software drivers that speak the language of the
Internet, and allow them to keep up with changes in network communication
protocols.
WinMotion combines motion control, a soft PLC (IEC-61131-3), and a
data server in a single software application. Using VenturCom's RTX for Windows
NT, WinMotion allows a single PC to control machinery without using any motion
control cards or proprietary hardware.
It includes an open, published Application Programming Interface
(API) that allows users to integrate third-party technologies such as vision
systems, bar code readers, or sensors. "Our ability to provide soft general
motion control and soft CNC products plus data access across all machine types
illustrates the broad scalability of our foundation motion technology," says
James R. Fall, president and CEO, MDSI. In fact, Fall claims the product is
suitable for motion applications in material handling, semiconductor
manufacturing, electronics assembly, and packaging equipment.
Spada says, "This an another example of technology substitution,
software replacing hardware motion control boards. It reaffirms the viability of
PC-based motion control software in the automation market, although it is not a
first. Companies like ATR, Elau, Beckhoff, Bosch, Kuka, Soft Servo Systems, and
Sanyo Denki have integrated software motion control solutions that leverage the
PC platform for applications such as robotics, packaging, and material
handling."
In conjunction with the release of WinMotion, MDSI has partnered
with AutomationSolutions (ASI), a national automation solutions provider, for
the sales and integration of WinMotion throughout the US. ASI will market
WinMotion through their nationwide general motion control sales and support
organization.
"As the PC continues to evolve," Spada says, "component software
solutions must follow." The success of WinMotion depends upon the expertise in
the channel as much as the capabilities of the software. Machine builders are
willing to switch from board-level motion control solutions to reduce costs and
increase flexibility, however the overall system solution must attain the same
level of robustness as existing solutions.
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