Specifically developed to meet the demand of the market for a new module that features EtherCAT and EtherNet/IP, the EtherCAT Industrial Ethernet Module supplements the current modules offered by the company that includes Profibus, CANopen, NanoPLC, Devicenet, WLAN and BlueTooth.

EtherCAT, or Ethernet for Control Automation Technology, is the leading and fastest growing industrial Ethernet bus inEurope. Originally developed by Beckhoff, this technology overcomes the system limitations of various Ethernet solutions as its Ethernet frame is now processed on the fly. With the telegram sent to the next device, the slave node’s new FMMU (fieldbus memory management unit) reads the data addressed to it.

With the FMMU and DMA access to the master’s network card, the complete protocol processing is independent of the run-time of protocol stacks, software implementation or CPU performance since it now occurs within the hardware. Featuring 30 µs update time for 1,000 distributed I/Os, the new module can also exchange a maximum of 1,486 bytes of process data, which is equivalent to around 12,000 digital inputs and outputs, with a single Ethernet frame at only 300 µs.

The new module is fitted with smaller and more cost effective central PC, with one Ethernet interface adequate for the periphery’s complete communication.

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The company’s new ECS servo system offers the servo drives high dynamic performance, which is vital in motion tasks requiring the highest precision and speed. Specifically engineered for multi-axis applications in central control architecture, the new system, when combined with new L-force Controller 3200 C, effectively and economically solves even the most demanding and complex motion tasks in terms of precision and the number of axis required.

The versatile system also provides a vast array of axis and power supply modules which can be easily connected to produce an integrated unit, while the ECS drives are compatible with the MCS range’s highly dynamic motors. The drives can be also combined with asynchronous and synchronous motors.

Based on the energy-efficient Intel Atom processor, the L-force Controller 3200 C has been specifically developed for use in the control cabinet. The integrated 48 MBit/s backplane bus enables I/O modules from the I/O system 1000 to be side-mounted to the controller. A combination of the time stamp with the short cycle time and the minimum jitter ensures that the motion system conforms to speed and synchronism requirements.

“With our combination of Controller 3200 C and ECS servo system, we offer the optimum solution for tasks with a large proportion of motion,” said Sören Mirbach from Control Technology Product Management at Lenze.

“And integration of the ECS in the EtherCAT-based control environment rounds off our uniform, end-to-end portfolio for setting up central control architectures.”

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“Combining this feature-rich industrial fieldbus adapter with the ACS355 and ACS850 drives will make available a great drive solution for OEM’s or system integrators who are focused on the packaging, material handling, printing, rubber & plastics, and machine tool industries,” said ABB LVD Senior Platform Solutions engineer Chris Stamas.

The adapter’s flexibility offers easy and fast connectivity to major programmable automation interfaces/controllers that support Ethercat protocol including ABB AC500 programmable logic controller (PLC). Some of the applications for coupling with this advanced drive adapter are high-speed presses, packaging machines, injection molding machines, machine tooling (CNC), robotics, test beds, woodworking machines, high speed bottling lines (food and beverage) and materials handling / logistics.

EtherCAT is an Ethernet technology aimed at maximizing the capability of full duplex Ethernet bandwidth. It exceeds the overhead usually associated with Ethernet by using “on the fly” processing hardware. An EtherCAT bus comprises up to 65535 slave devices and a master system, linked together with standard Ethernet cabling. The incoming data are processed by the slave devices, which insert or extract them and shift the message to the next slave device, creating a loop.

Various protocols can be utilized as the application layer. ABB’s drive adapter uses the CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE) technology. Customers can create a robust solution out of the combination of this data infused protocol with the company’s ACS850 and ACS355 drives. It does not only provide real time control but also the capability to extract data in order to optimize applications.

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The Ethernet-based fieldbus provides significant benefits mainly for distributed networks including conveyor systems.

NORD’s cost-efficient EtherCAT module connects a number of inverters into a single bus line, since additional bus master interfaces or repeaters are not needed.

The bus module can be directly mounted either on the SK 200E´s interface unit or from the inverter through an optional wall mounting kit. The EtherCAT bus line is linked into the box through an M12 plug connector.

Moreover, the new module offers eight integrated 24V and two 24V outputs. One technology unit is capable of addressing up to four inverters through EtherCAT. RS232/RS485 interface allows on-the-spot access into the parameters of the bus module, as well as connected inverters through NORDCON PC software or the SK PAR manual control unit.

The EtherCAT technology unit is available with a protection rating of IP55, and can be offered for IP66 on request.

All SK 200E inverter models deliver a brake chopper, a control module and sensorless current vector control for an electromagnetic brake. The basic model also allows for incremental encoder input HTL (signal speed control) and positioning control through integrated POSICON function.

The extended range of offerings includes an onboard interface and the embedded safety function “Safe Stop” for AS-Interface bus system. The www.sk200e.de website presents the full range of models, application areas and their features in detail.

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As these compact Absolute ATD EtherCAT Encoders measure just 80 x 58 mm, they are ideal for use in limited space applications including robotic and automated systems.  These single or multi-turn encoders are compatible with the CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE) protocol and offer 14-bit single-turn and 16-bit multi-turn resolutions.

Because Power over EtherCAT delivers power and transmits field bus signals using just one cable, Baumer Absolute ATD PoE EtherCAT Encoders are a cost-effective alternative to expensive and complex multi-cable systems.  These encoders are especially suitable for difficult-to-access applications.

These encoders can be used on robotic arms, robotic pick-and-place systems, automated packaging lines, material handling equipment, laboratory automation equipment, medical imaging systems, printing equipment, textile processes machines, theater sets, and in other applications where cable movement and cable life are a concern.

For more information on the Absolute ATD EtherCAT Encoders, contact Baumer Ltd. at (800) 937-9336.

www.baumerelectric.com/usa

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The AM1810 Sitara is optimally ideal for use in human machine interface (HMI) or programmable logic controller (PLC) applications. The SoC is based upon the Sitara AM1x line of ARMP processors the company announced in April.

The processor is similar to the top-of-the-line AM1808 unit, except for the addition of EtherCAT Master protocol support and Profibus interface.

In conjunction with the release of the AM1810 Sitara, the manufacturer noted that it has joined the Profibus International organization. Profibus is an industrial fieldbus like LONworks and CANopen, touted by TI as “the world’s most popular fieldbus used for communications between factory automation equipment”.

The Profibus DP slave implementation from TI used on the AM1810 Sitara is PI certified via ComDeC – a Profibus Certification Lab by Siemens AG (www.siemens.com).. By incorporating a Profibus interface into the AM1810, directly connecting it to the RS-485 transceiver, the need for an external Profibus device, FPGA, or ASIC is eliminated. This saves development cost and time, as well as improves system performance.

The company said customers can design smaller housings and enclosures with simpler thermal designs because of the low power architecture of the AM1810 SoC. The thermal advantage can further reduce total bill of materials (BOM) to up to 30%.

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To provide additional I/O and drive capabilities, the SPiiPlus NTM controls ACS slave modules, such as MC4Udc (up to 8 axis drive chassis for stepper motors or servo motors), UDMnt (up to 2 axis drive module for stepper motors or servo motors), IOMnt (up to 32/32 digital I/O module), PDMnt (up to 4 axis Pulse or Direction Interface module), and SDMnt (up to 8 axis stepper drive module).

The SPiiPlus NTM controller has also the ability to control any third party I/O or EtherCAT drive modules, which are qualified by ACS Motion Control (www.acsmotioncontrol.com).

Supported by ACSPL+ motion programming language, the SPiiPlus NTM also features a set of software tools such as the SPiiPlus’ MMI Application Studio and API for host application development. The tools comprise a full PC-based controller simulator that reduces the cost of ownership, as well as time-to-market for system integrators, end users and OEMs.

“The SPiiPlus EtherCAT family of products offer advanced, high-level machine control with a smaller footprint and smaller cost when compared to competing control solutions,” said Jason Goerges, ACS Motion Control‘s sales and support manager. “Our universal drive technology provides a flexible solution for all motor topologies, further helping to reduce costs, as users can run several axes from one drive module.”

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With the use of selectable RS232 or RS422/RS485 interfaces, the powerful and compact IP67 EtherCAT Box Modules with two channels deliver high flexibility to allow serial devices to be directly integrated into an EtherCAT network.

EtherCAT Box Modules measure only 126 mm in height, 30 mm in width, and 26.5 mm in depth, and are ideal for applications in confined spaces.

The box modules transfer data in a totally transparent way into a higher level EtherCAT controller, while the active serial communication channels function in full duplex mode to up to 115,200 Bd. The 128 byte transmit buffer and an 864 byte receive buffer are supplied for the data’s temporary storage in the EtherCAT Box.

Serial devices are linked to the EP6002 through the rugged M12 plug connectors. The EP6002 EtherCAT Box, with the “TwinCAT Virtual Serial COM Driver”, can be used without the use of a controller as a COM interface in Windows operating systems.

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Aside from EtherCAT, the IDM680 embeds motion controller, PLC and drive functionality in a one compact unit. The servo drive can operate as a standard EtherCAT slave with a CANopen-over-EtherCAT (CoE) protocol, or can be programmed to perform complex motion programs at drive level, with the use of the built-in-motion controller, as well as the EasyMotion Studio platform, which generates all the TML instructions.

The IDM680 intelligent servo drive is ideal for the operation of brushless, linear or DC motors up to 640W continuous/1.3kW peak voltages. The addition of the EtherCAT compatibility to the IDM680 offers a strong combination of speed and several operating modes, which include third order PVT and first order PT interpolation, speed or position profiles (S-curve, trapezoidal), analogue or digital external reference, electronic gearing and camming, open/closed loop and microstepping (256 µsteps/step) for step motors.

The drive is equipped with several sensors: SSI, digital and linear Halls, BiSS, EnDAT, sine/cosine incremental resolver and encoders. PC/PLC motion libraries are also available for the quick industrial integration of the IDM680.

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The latest safety terminals for the EtherCAT I/O system fully utilize the high-performance EtherCAT. EL6900 safety PLC terminal can process 256 safety-relevant function blocks and is capable of integrating up to 128 four-channel safety terminals (“512 safety devices”). The integrated safety function blocks in the EL6900 Safety PLC are set up according to each unique application. Through this, safety functions can be simply programmed like latches, timers, serial/parallel muting, two-hand control, emergency stop and safety door monitoring. A connection shutdown function can also be established so the equipment’s interchangeable sections with embedded safety terminals can be detached from the machine without causing any safety system errors.

With additional EL6900 Safety PLCs, systems can be expanded as necessary. Through this, the safety-relevant control tasks for plants and machines can be implemented centrally or locally according to the application. The 24V DC digital output terminals (“EL2904: 0.5A and EL2902: 2.3A”) and 24V DC digital input terminals (“EL1904”) are available for connecting safety actuators or sensors. The TwinSAFE Terminals can be set up in any position in distributed I/O systems and in the terminal system. Also, the EL6900 Safety PLC can be used for AX5000 Servo Drives from Beckhoff as a safety controller that uses EtherCAT as a motion bus.

Safety over EtherCAT(“TM”) allows the integration of safety devices to a control system without requiring segregated safety network or a stand-alone safety PLC. Safety data is handled through a black channel passing a standard Ethernet cable. This new safety solution integrated in the terminal block housing is exceptionally compact, providing the highest flexibility through nearly limitless positioning inside the EtherCAT Terminal systems. The standard EtherCAT I/O Terminal systems can be intermixed to the same node with the safety terminals.

The Beckhoff TwinSAFE, a proven safety solution, has been successfully integrated into the original Beckhoff Bus Terminal I/O system (“K-bus”) and is in use around the world in a broad range of applications. The integrated TwinSAFE technology in the EtherCAT Terminal system (“E-bus”), the high performance of EtherCAT – with enhanced diagnostics and ultra fast communication – is now available.

Safety applications can be optionally made by using simple configuration in TwinCAT software in System Manager or programmed using a TwinCAT PLC (IEC 61131-3), in case of more complex applications. The Safety PLC’s safety-relevant parameters are available in TwinCAT software and can be utilized in the standard controller. Also, typical drive functions can be linked and selected very simply.

The EL6900 Safety PLC terminal is easy and quick to replace in case of possible required service without explicitly reloading and verifying the program. The system automatically loads and verifies the configuration to dispense trouble-prone removable media. The project’s manual saving or loading is not anymore necessary in case of service.

Another feature is the integrated tool in TwinCAT for determining and calculating the PL or SIL according to EN ISO 13849-1 and EN IEC 62601. The transfer of information to an additional tool and the safety application’s previous complicated analysis are no longer required, which can lead to significant cost savings and work reductions.

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