Aerotech has added a new product to its SoloistTM range of integrated drives for sinusoidally commutated, linear or rotary brushless servomotors, DC brushed and stepping motors. The Soloist MP is a low-cost, full-featured intelligent drive with 10 to 80 VDC bus voltage and a 10 A peak current capability, aimed at applications where the customer prefers to use an auxiliary power supply in place of the integral direct-on-line power supply found on the other Soloist integrated drives. This feature will particularly suit multi-axis applications where a combined power supply will reduce system cost and simplify distributed control applications.
The multitasking Soloist MP features a 10/100 Base T Ethernet communication interface for application programming or immediate commands as well as Soloist to Soloist networking, Modbus over TCP and system setup. Full DHCP support is included for easy, windows-like network setup and installation. An RS232 interface is also provided to allow the interfacing of optional programming terminals, third-party displays or HMI's.
The MP range comprises a basic model suited to most positioning applications with dedicated inputs for commutation, E-stop, overtravel and datum. An optional, more flexible version is available for machine control applications which includes an expanded I/O board with sixteen fully programmable 5-24 VDC opto-isolated inputs and outputs (8-In/8-Out), additional analogue I/O and a secondary encoder for advanced position following. A separate power circuit can be provided to allow keep-alive control, if the motor bus voltage is removed under e-stop conditions. Other options include a 1000x encoder multiplier for high-resolution positioning applications.
The Soloist MP is well matched to demanding motion control applications such as precision feed to length, flying shear, electronic cam, electronic gearbox, web tensioning, force and torque control. In addition, the unit has sophisticated high-speed position latching and data logging capability suited to advanced laboratory and test applications. The Soloist MP is programmed in easy-to-use AeroBasicTM for standalone applications; or in host-mode operation where the Ethernet network is used to send commands from a host PC or a remote device with a choice of C++, C#, VB.net or mnemonic.
Application software has been developed with a strong emphasis on simplifying integration with an HMI look and feel that includes a program editor interface, system diagnostics with servo loop autotuning and full single axis control. An optional IDE (Integrated Development Environment) version of the software provides even more flexibility for the experienced programmer and includes multi axis diagnostic display, dockable screens, programming breakpoints and multi-axis file transfer.
The MSC software option is also available which allows multi-axis Soloist control without the need for the IDE option. A LabVIEW (r) version is also available and includes full LabVIEW interface, an extensive VI collection and a LabVIEW command centre. Firmware options dedicated to specialist applications include a single axis version of Aerotech's PSO (Position Synchronised Output) which allows the precise, "on-the-fly" synchronisation of an output with the exact position of a single axis positioning system typically moving a work piece undergoing some form of machining or test.
Used extensively for feature generation in high performance laser machining applications, PSO will allow a laser's pulse, power level and firing pattern to synchronise to micron level accuracy with the real-time position. PSO can also be used for other applications demanding very tight synchronisation such as NDT (non destructive testing) and advanced electronic gearbox. Other powerful software features available on the Soloist include axis calibration and backlash compensation helping to improve overall precision.
Programming flexibility is increased with variables and math capability and a user units feature allows the software to be customised with meaningful application related information. The Soloist MP shares the high performance capability of the Soloist range with a digital current loop drive stage providing a 20 kHz servo update rate with a feed-forward term to tightly track the exact position and velocity required by the user. For demanding applications, four user-configurable digital filters may be called to minimise resonance and increase system bandwidth. An easy-to-use servo autotuning feature helps to reduce system commissioning time and maximise application performance.
The Soloist range now includes the Modbus protocol and can act as both Modbus master or slave. As a slave, the Soloist is able to replace legacy amplifiers interfaced with PLC's over Modbus. This will allow existing machine control systems with older amplifier technologies to be upgraded to include state-of-the art digital control, both improving production throughput and increasing system accuracy.
The compact size of the Soloist MP, which will install in an envelope of less than 42 mm x 158 mm x 120 (W x H x D), should ensure that it can be used in space-restricted distributed control applications or where panel space is limited. To support customers, The Soloist(tm) Online Community website has been established at http://www.aerotech.com/soloist/index.html ; the regularly updated site covers new features, application information, help and knowledge base pages as well as a download area for manuals, software and CAD files.
The Soloist MP may be used in standalone applications with Aerotech's wide range of brushless linear and rotary servomotors or may be used to drive traditional motor technologies such as brushed DC or stepper motors. The Soloist can also be specified as a part of a complete positioning solution with Aerotech's medium and high precision, linear and rotary positioning stages.
Available in standard configurations or as a custom engineered solution, these include single and multi axis stages with direct-drive rotary or linear servo motors with a variety of bearing technologies from cross roller and linear motion guides to ultra-high precision air bearings.
All Aerotech engineered systems are designed to provide a low cost of ownership solution and supplied with full performance and calibration related documents and a CD with assembly and interconnection drawings. Aerotech also provide complete technical support and product training ensuring that system commissioning is straightforward, requiring little more than connecting cables and applying power before programming application software.