Festo has introduced an integrated motor-drive featuring simple
programmable axis positioning. The MTR-DCI combines a dc servomotor with
a drive and position controller, all housed within an IP54 protected
enclosure. The unit delivers torque from 0.16 to 7.7Nm, with either a 7:1
or 14:1 ratio gearbox, and can be specified as either a 24V or 48V drive.
Integrated into the housing are a position controller and encoder for
closed loop control, power electronics and an optional operator interface
in the form of a keypad and miniature LCD.
The motor-drive is suitable for distributed machine control applications
in conveying and packaging, where it can provide considerable cost
savings compared with more traditional, centrally controlled servomotor
installations. Desired positions can be 'taught' using the local operator
interface or via a Windows based programming tool. Once these are set,
the device can be controlled via I/O or fieldbus signals, or locally if
the interface option is present.