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EtherCat motion system allows easy migration from PLCs

06 July, 2015

Taiwan-based Adlink Technology has announced an EtherCat-based motion control system consisting of a palm-sized master controller, and a modular I/O and motion control system. The combination offers low-cost deterministic control of automated processes and is said to be easy to develop.

The Talos-3012 master controller, based on an Intel Atom quad-core processor, is said to allow easy migration from existing PLC programs to a PC-based environment. It complies with IEC 61131-3 and a single controller can connect with up to 64 axes and 10,000 I/O points through a daisy-chained slave system. The multitasking controller can perform simultaneous processing of HMI, motion control, PLC and gateway functions.

The Risc-based EPS slave system supports modules with a variety of functions, including digital and analogue I/O, thermal measurement, motion control, and EtherCat communications. The package measures 110 x 130 x 105mm.

The Codesys-compliant motion system will interoperate with a variety of EtherCat servodrives and other third-party EtherCat products. Adlink’s LinkMasterPro EtherCat configuration utility allows the master system to detect slave systems and I/O modules of any type and can create corresponding XML files to complete configuration without needing any extra settings. The utility also evaluates the functions of a connected EPS system, while an auto-slave detection function simplifies system configuration.

The master controllers can connect to existing or expanded third-party slave systems, using automatic recognition and configuration. Adlink’s Softmotion utility provides an IEC 61131-3 programming environment that supports application-oriented functions and APIs for ease-of-use and short development times.

Adlink's modular control system can connect with EtherCat-based products from a variety of suppliers

The EPS slave systems include a status-monitoring function thatTalos, EPS includes overheating detection, low power detection, as well as monitoring of motion control status. Information can be retrieved via software or displayed using dedicated indicators, allowing the status of individual modules to be monitored.

The hot-swappable slave modules can be replaced without needing to power them down, thus simplifying maintenance. In addition, quick-removable connectors minimise the need for rewiring.

The compact IP31-protected components operate without fans in temperatures from –20°C to +60°C.




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