In the past, configuring a servo system was considered something of a ‘black art’. Setting-up a system without the help of a third-party systems integrator seemed rather implausible, as the task of configuration would probably have been beyond the capabilities of the end-user. However, recent developments suggest that motion control specialists are looking at ways of avoiding this. Additionally, the end-user is now able to set-up a motion control system in-house, in accordance with their exact requirements, thus saving cost, time and effort. Overall, it appears as though servo systems are becoming vastly more user-friendly.
An indicator of this is Omron Yaskawa’s Sigma 5, which was recently unveiled by the motion control specialists. Sigma 5 is a ‘servo pack’ consisting of servo motors, servo amplifiers, and a powerful set-up tool. Sigma 5 replaces the successful Sigma 2 series, which has been available for several years and offering a wide range of applications. Omron Yaskawa believes that customers using this existing product will find the transition to Sigma 5 seamless.
It has now been five years since Sigma 3 followed on from the highly successful Sigma 2; but the former may have gone largely unnoticed due to the fact that it was never released in Europe. Instead of opting for Sigma 4, Omron Yaskawa instead decided to name their new servo pack Sigma 5, to convey just how far ahead of the previous system they believe it to be. Michael Wiechert, general manager, Motion and Control, stated, “We think it’s more than a milestone - we think it’s two steps ahead. Our goal is to make the life of the customer very easy.” Toshihiro Sawa, general manager, Motion Control Division, added, “We are considering Sigma 5 as a giant technological leap, which takes the Sigma concept two generations further”.
The new Sigma 5 series offers rotary, direct drive, and linear motors. The rotary servo motor range will initially be available in several performance categories between 0.1 and 15kW. They cover all market demands with regard to compact size, high dynamics, high efficiency, low maintenance, and outstanding reliability.
Omron Yaskawa perceive the most impressive feature of the Sigma 5 to be its positioning accuracy of up to 10nm with standard products, whilst offering shortest positioning times in the process. Also, the auto-tuning function was optimised for sophisticated applications, such as two axes in super high performance machines. The new auto-tuning algorithm allows perfect set-up in less than two hours - compared to more than eight hours needed by other products in the market.
Josep Marti, product manager, Motion Control, commented, “The new servo far surpasses what our customers are expecting. We aimed to drastically reduce the size of both the drives and motors. The drives have a good reduction factor of 30-40%, and the length of the motor was also reduced to 30%”. Speaking on the overall impact of the product release, Marti concluded, “The Sigma 5 competes as a complete servo, and we fully expect it to replace Sigma 2.”
Sigma 5 comes with an easy-to-use software package, which means that the user does not need expert know-how to implement the system. The user-friendly software, the optimised auto-tuning function, and the automatic filter function to suppress oscillations enable optimum adjustment of servo amplifiers in a wide range of inertia ratios.
Another advantage is flexible communication with the machine controller and other motion control interfaces supplied by European control manufacturers. Sigma 5 is able to communicate via several open and Ethernet-based fieldbus systems.
Sawa concluded, “Sigma 5 offers overwhelming performance, user-friendliness and the connective potential that supports any type of machine controller and other interfaces of various communication standards. Of course, Sigma 5 supports all relevant safety standards.”