Motion chip forms heart of compact AC servomotor drives
US-based Intelligent Motion Systems (IMS) has launched a range of integrated AC servomotor drives based on a patented motion-controller-on-a-chip developed by its sister company, System Semiconductor. As well as eliminating an estimated 3–8m of cabling and its associated costs from each installation, the MDrive Plus motors reduce the problems of electrical interference and cut the amount of space normally occupied by drives in panels and machines.
The integrated motors, in Nema frame sizes 34 and 42 (shown above), eliminate the need for current control resistors, as well for separate drivers, indexers, controllers and power supplies. They do not need to be tuned and are said to deliver a high starting torque with stable low-speed operation and no dithering at zero speed.
The M3000 motion chip, which took five years to develop, contains 120,000 gates and is protected by four phase control patents. It provides a choice of 20 microstepping resolutions up to 51,200 steps/rev, and damps resonance over the entire motor speed range, resulting in smooth, quiet operation.
The motors have up to eight I/Os (including an analogue input) which can be configured as sinks or sources. Electronic gearing is built in, and CAN communications is an option.
In the UK, the integrated motors are available from the IMS’ local subsidiary which it set up last year with Mark Checkley (formerly of Oriental Motor) as sales manager.
