The µMAXB series, FireWire® B CAT5 networked and DSP based single-axis motion controller with integrated 900W pk servo amplifier is a full featured and high-performance alternative to PC-card hardware based motion control systems with significant cost and time saving benefits.
Measuring just 75 mm x 75 mm x 32 mm, the compact and modular unit is intended for direct mounting on robotics and automation equipment with daisy-chained FireWire networking and power cabling supplemented with localised motor and feedback connection. In comparison to traditional, centralised PCI-slot motion control systems, often necessitating connector breakout boards, the µMAXB is more easily installed with a cabling reduction of up to 60% and further benefits of increased reliability and reduced inventory.
The µMAXB is part of a family of single and multi-axis integrated servo amplifiers with common interfacing and programming manufactured by Agile Systems, the leading Canadian based developer of motion control and power amplifier technology. The range is based around Agile’s digitalPOWERTM core drive technology with high speed networking including IEEE1394, Ethernet RS485, and RS232; providing highly compact and competitively priced distributed motion control solutions. Agile are represented in the UK by LG Motion Ltd, a new company providing in-house design, manufacture, service and application support for its wide range of motion control and positioning systems.
The µMAXB is quickly set-up and installed using DPWinTM, Agilie’s PC-based graphical environment for configuration, tuning and analysis. Motion programming is completed with MAXCLibTM, an ANSI C/C++ library and application development program with motion and machine control commands including absolute and relative moves with S-curve or trapezoidal profiles, set-point streaming for position-velocity-time (PVT) or position-time (PT), move sequencing, I/O handling, scanned and timed events as well as all program flow and conditional events.
Demanding motion control functions such as fast registration, flying shear and electronic gearing are supported and simplified for applications in industrial robotics, PCB assembly equipment, laboratory automation, semiconductor process and fabrication and high-speed packaging equipment.
The impressive specification for the µMAXB includes a 4KHz position loop and 20 KHz current loop with an advanced PID servo algorithm with full velocity, acceleration, jerk and feed-forward terms with sinusoidal commutation for smooth servo performance. Machine control and safety interfacing is handled by a full I/O complement including 2 x opto-isolated digital inputs and outputs, 2 x 12-bit analogue inputs , 2 x differential inputs and 2 x brake outputs rated for 12-24V at 1A. Motor voltage is rated at 90 VDC with power ratings matched to 900W peak. The amplifier is essentially for brushless motors but may be configured for brushed DC, voice-coil and stepper motor drive.
Quadrature encoder feedback up to 32 MHz is supported as well as sin/cos encoders with interpolation up to 4096.