B&R Automation - Motion Control Tips

Servo drive controls highly dynamic processes with greater precision

March 26, 2019 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

With the latest upgrade to its ACOPOSmulti multi-axis servo drive, B&R now enables even shorter cycle times down to 50 μsec. Highly dynamic processes can now be controlled more precisely than ever.

For demanding motion control applications, such as those found in the printing and packaging industries, movements must be controlled quickly and precisely. The ACOPOSmulti’s short cycle time of 50 µsec for current, speed and position control opens up new possibilities for virtual sensor technology.

Using a virtual motor position encoder eliminates the need for an encoder, encoder cable and evaluation unit in the servo drive and at the same time increases availability. Other special functions for more precise control and faster reactions can be implemented using virtual sensor technology. These include model-based control with autotuning and a repetitive control function for predictive lag error compensation.

For more information, visit www.br-automation.com.

Motion systems application examples: Controllers advance

November 28, 2015 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Motion controllers range from single-axis smarts to programmable automation controllers (PACs) that synchronize hundreds of axes and plant IT. These brains of precision motion are at the heart of today’s motion-system innovation. But controls are increasingly advanced in mobile applications as well.

In this defense application, controllers from Trust Automation synchronize actuators that position a multi-mission launcher (MML). The design is part of an Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) program led by the U.S. Army.

Consider just one example: Trust Automation Inc., known for standard and custom motion and motor controls, is helping design and develop a multi-mission launcher (MML) for a U.S. Army Indirect Fire Protection Capability program. The Development and Engineering Center of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research is leading the project.

The design is a truck-based system that’s fixed or semi-fixed. It holds 15 launch tubes that can fire simultaneously at threats, for 360° protection against unmanned aircraft, cruise missiles, artillery, mortars and rockets. Trust Automation is developing elevation controllers for the MML to give them precise positioning. The controller interfaces with heavy-duty electro-mechanical actuators for motion control to the MML elevation axis. In short, digital signal processing and advanced algorithms enable synchronous control of twin actuators that raise and lower the MML’s pallet.

“These platforms are critically important to national defense,” said Craig Von Ilten, business-development VP for the defense industry at Trust Automation.

Food and beverage example: Controllers make it simple

Consider another example: Opelka’s new continuous pastry fryer is more versatile and easier to clean and service than its predecessor. Called the MagicBaker CleanFlex, it uses B&R automation components for a modular architecture—so end users can use the machine without programming, even after a shutdown to replace parts.

PowerLink allows line or star topology on the equipment, and users can remove networked components without disconnecting the power or worrying about disrupting bus communication. Central data storage speeds up commissioning.

Data coding, motion control, PLC tasks and HMI functions are all on a single CompactFlash card in the controller. When the equipment restarts after maintenance, the controller automatically copies the software (including changes) to related B&R components. More specifically, Opelka leverages integrated PLC/HMI functionality from the B&R Power Panel 500, which has a 10.4-in. touch screen, X20 I/O and ACOPOSmulti drives.

The fryer’s versatility arises from the new control architecture, which allows changes through the HMI panel to accommodate different configurations for different bakers, said Stefan Weng of Opelka. ACOPOSmulti servodrives replaced pneumatic drives on the previous version to eliminate design and operation constraints. Here, a key advantage over pneumatics is that controls can implement new paths during operation at the push of a button without major modifications.

So now, pastries go through the machine more gently and with greater precision. That in turn means that users can customize the machine for different pastry types … simply by picking recipes on the HMI. So the machine can now float or tip pastries into the oil bath.

The new machine’s drives are synchronized electrically, which means the oil bath can extend as needed without making the engineers modify the power-transmission system. There’s also a Power Panel 500 in a control cabinet within the machine body. The drives for other machine modules (including one for loading separate raw-dough forms into rows and another at the end of the line that injects jelly into the pastries) are in distributed control cabinets.

“Space is limited in the distributed cabinets, so the compactness of the ACOPOSmulti and X20 modules was key,” said Weng. A two-axis variant of the ACOPOSmulti was the biggest space saver of all. Opelka saved even more cabinet space by replacing dedicated power supplies with 24-V modules from the X20 system. The X20 system also provided digital and analog I/O slices, as well as PT100 input terminals for PID temperature control.

This gabletop case packer is one version of a line of stainless-steel case packers from Schneider Packaging Equipment that allows for sanitation washdown. There’s even an additional sleeve around open spaces in the support frame between the bolts and frame interior.
“The extra sleeve makes a more hygienic environment by preventing contamination from microbiotic organisms inside the frame itself,” said Pete Squires, VP of Schneider Packaging.
Quick changeovers let the machine go from two-pack convenience cases to three, four, six and eight-pack cases. Similar Schneider machines accommodate half-pint, pint, quart and gallon sizes. A complete end-of-line automation solution is easy thanks to simple integration with accumulator sand loaders for gabletop cartons, carton lane-dividing and transport conveyors, and robotic palletizers. Standard features include touchscreen operation and Allen Bradley Logix controls.

The X20 modules also control stepper motors that move pushers and other small machine axes. “The X20’s three-part construction has a terminal block, electronics module and bus module. This simplifies installation and allows electronic-module replacements without the hassle of rewiring,” said Weng.

Opelka’s new continuous pastry fryer, the MagicBaker CleanFlex, uses a B&R controller.

X20 modules and drives communicate with each other and the central controller through PowerLink.

Another improvement is that the user can configure components without needing to connect each to a PC first. To prepare the components for bus communication, the engineer just sets their node numbers with DIP switches before install.

All of the automated functions on the new MagicBaker CleanFlex from Opelka use B&R technology, and Opelka setup the PLC and HMI in B&R’s Automation Studio software. Seamless integration makes programming, diagnostics and maintenance more efficient.

During operation, PowerLink and the electronic drives also make decoupling machine modules easier. The user simply disconnects the power and PowerLink cables, both of which handle repeated plugging and unplugging much better than compressed air hoses. Then machine modules can go to a washdown room for cleaning.

PLCs control San Fran hangar doors

Door motors, controls and gear drives of the Superbay Maintenance Hangar at the San Francisco International Airport needed a retrofit. Previous controls were built in 1969 with relays, contactors, timers, antiquated power tracks and miles of wiring requiring continuous maintenance. The massive hangar has two 130-x-90-ft doors, weighing 74,000 lb, on either side. Each door consists of an inner and outer panel for a total of eight independently functioning doors. The door sections mounted on rails offset so that adjacent doors can open and close without interfering with neighboring ones.

MicroSmart Pentra PLCs from IDEC now control and monitor the doors, letting airplanes as large as a 747-400s in and out of the hangar. Engineers from San Francisco International Airport’s Design and Construction Dept. used IDEC PLC programming and PLCs for their simplicity and expandability. Twin drives power the doors’ halves. A VFD drives each motor door, in turn capable of moving the entire door (though airport engineers made each drive redundant).

An IDEC Pentra PLC controls two VFD drives that open and close a hangar door. The hangar has eight doors, each with its own PLC controller.

An IDEC MicroSmart Pentra PLC connects to each doors’ two VFDs through Modbus, and communicates in ASCII through an RS485 connection. The PLC also has inputs for switches and sensors for preventing operation when people or objects are in the way. From the IDEC HG4G’s HMI, operators open and close the doors.

The eight centralized PLCs controlling the eight doors simplify operation; soon a master PLC could control all the doors and command the PLCs as slaves. Wireless connection will soon provide fire control. In the current design, anytime a door stops, its PLC analyzes the problem and displays a troubleshooting protocol on the HMI.

The IDEC MicroSmart Pentra PLC has floating-point math functions, supports 32-bit processing, Modbus master and slave capabilities, up to 512 digital I/O and 56 analog I/O. The PLC also connects to the Internet (to allow for mobile access). IDEC Automation Organizer software comes in WindLDR for programming in ladder logic and function blocks (and online editing and simulation) or WindO/I-NV2 for programming HMIs. WindO/I-NV2 has tools for programming HMIs with a 5,000-symbol library (to save design time).

The hangar engineers used Automation Organizer to program touch-screen controls, status and troubleshooting displays, alarms, feedback processing and drive operating hours for maintenance purposes.

Simulation with the IDEC system let the engineers start and fine-tune the first door’s operation in less than a day (with the others in operation within a few hours). It also let the engineers add interlocking man doors to the giant hangar doors—standard doors are embedded in the hangar doors for aircraft mechanics to enter and leave the hangar. Then the engineers programmed the PLC and HMI to interlock these man-doors with the larger hangar doors. If any man-doors are open, the HMI indicates that and prevents operation.

IDEC PLCs control 37-ton hangar doors to let airplanes in and out of the hangar.

B&R simplifies packaging automation for ladder-logic fans

August 24, 2015 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

North American packaging machinery users and OEMs benefit from familiar ladder-logic programming, but new packaging-automation software is easier. As machine functionalities become more sophisticated, ladder programs can become too complicated, even when supplemented by function blocks. Modular application (mapp) technology from B&R maintains familiar, IEC compliant ladder and function block programming – except with mapp components, more time is spent on configuring rather than programming.

mapp technology also provides a fast, easy way to implement OMAC PackML, the ISA TR88.00.02 standard for defining machine states, modes and tag naming conventions. With mapp Technology, machine control can be accessed and diagnosed down to the function block level without requiring dedicated software, special training or access to the source code. More after the jump.

2015 Pack Expo attendees can see first-hand how mapp technology can cut programming time by two-thirds, while simplifying recipe changes, diagnostics, integration, and field modifications at the B&R booth. A B&R representative will also be present at the OMAC (Organization for Machine Automation and Control) booth 1241 in the Central hall from 9:00-10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30 ready to discuss the capabilities of mapp PackML.

High performance and scalability in a compact design

OEMs are looking to automation suppliers for solutions to help them achieve scalability in their operations. The new ACOPOS P3 from B&R is a three-axis servo drive that affords significant space savings in the control cabinet and includes integrated safety functions. It is suitable for both single and multi-use applications and can be scaled to meet a variety of performance and functional requirements at an attractive cost. And despite its compact design, it features a sampling time of 50 µsec for the entire controller cascade, making it the fastest servo drive with safety functions on the market.

Other booth highlights will include the Automation PC 2100 – a fully equipped industrial PC with an ultra-compact form factor, IP69K rated stainless steel motors, secure remote diagnostics, as well as B&R’s C-Series Power Panels, which are terminals with a built-in PLC, that use an Intel Atom processor to achieve cycle times down to 1 msec.

Fifth Annual PACK Solutions Challenge

B&R Industrial Automation’s Packaging Solutions Group is also sponsoring the PACK Solutions Challenge, where teams from PMMI Partner Schools research and develop a real-world packaging solution. This year, students had to create a proposal for a dedicated line to package and ship a new fast-dissolve OTC product for the fictional company Innovative Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Show attendees can view the students’ proposals and vote for their favorite at the Education & Workforce Development Pavilion at PACK EXPO. The winning team will be announced at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29 in the B&R booth.

FAQ: What are the hardware and software parts of a PC-based motion controller?

July 3, 2015 By Steve Meyer Leave a Comment

Physically, a PC-based controller is made up the same kinds of hardware components as most personal computers — a processor, some memory and an interface bus.

Some PC-based controllers take traditional industrial forms. This CX9000 embedded PC from Beckhoff is a high-performance but cost-effective PLC and motion control for DIN rail installation.

The interface bus is a high-speed dedicated bus that provides all types of information to and from the processor.

In personal computing, the hardware I/O consists of a keyboard and monitor.

The keyboard is an array of low voltage mechanical switches with an encoder to convert the switch inputs to data that the PC can deal with as symbols and alpha-numeric characters. The monitor is an array of pixels with color and brightness attributes.

PCs communicate through a variety of networks and can import and display various types of data, including audio and video information.

Various types of memory in the personal computer supports program execution, for video support and short term storage needs for other tasks.

Using an industrial computer for control applications requires the same inputs and outputs as a personal computer … with the addition of interfacing to the various device types found on the factory floor.

Typical inputs and outputs found in manufacturing include discrete sensors, pushbuttons, pilot lights, mechanical switches, various types of sensors, electric motors, hydraulic actuators, and so on. Hard-disk memory stores long-term values … such as recipes values or production metrics. What’s more, like the personal computer, industrial computers have sophisticated communications capabilities with multiple ports that can host standard Ethernet or proprietary protocols.

PC-based controller software has two major components:

• The operating system (OS), which manages the internal processing and resources of the PC

• The user application software, which creates the target behavior in a particular machine or process control system.

Control programming languages vary from the various computer science disciplines (C, C+, Visual Basic, and so on) to more application-specific languages … such as the five classic languages recognized in IEC 61131 — Ladder Diagram, Instruction List, Function Block Diagram, Structured Texas and Sequential Function Chart languages.

There are major differences between industrial PCs and desktop PCs that are the result of the industrial environment. Plant floor conditions vary from location to location, but for vendors who want to sell control products to industry, high standards of environmental resistance are required. Factory floor frequently means high operating temperatures, dirt and dust in the environment, electrical noise and shock and vibration.

As part of the effort to make PC hardware rugged enough for industrial control, some equipment manufacturers thermally engineer their control boards to safely operate without fans in environments to 50° C.

Control equipment manufacturers have had to migrate operating systems for reliability and stable operation. Past versions of Windows were not suitable to host control software … which created the need for a realtime operating system (RTOS). With the widespread deployment of Linux and other stable operating systems, programming industrial control solutions is extremely stable. More after the jump.

This APC820 from B&R Automation integrates a drive and PC with Core 2 Duo processors and a Smart Display Link to connect up to four HMIs.

Because PC-based controls generally involve high volume chip sets and fewer custom or proprietary structures, they tend to be very cost effective. With the increased compute power of PC based platforms, even the most demanding control systems can be implemented using PCs. Coordinated motion control like robots, which are usually extremely demanding, have been hosted on PC based controls very successfully.

Some background on PC controls — in plain English

Traditional industrial controls have evolved with the availability of electronic hardware and programming environments. The first were CNCs in the 1950s and then PLCs in the 1960s. Once electronics capabilities expanded, the controls-hardware landscape got really messy. So today, engineers can program any application on a PC.

he main challenge for PC-controls engineers was to first get a stable operating system, as Windows was not robust enough. Today, Linux and newer Windows iterations fit the bill.

Next, PC-controls engineers had to get hardware environmentally stable enough to survive the industrial environment. Typical conditions include temperatures from -40° to 100° F, high humidity, lots of shock and vibration, dust and dirt, and chemical contamination. It wasn’t possible to bring desktops of that generation to the factory floor, especially if they used the floppy disks of the day.

In fact, both hardware and software have progressed together over the last 20 years, so that new iterations of both have slowly changed the rules of PC-controls engineering.

For OEMs and end users, that’s meant ever-increasing performance at ever-falling cost. In most cases, consumer-grade electronics has accelerated industrial-PC advancements.

Industrial PCs have been around for a long time. In fact, the entirety of Beckhoff’s PLC line uses Intel dual-core processors.

What’s more, in today’s PC-based control technology, any processor can process any number of tasks, whether it’s a PLC, motion, CNC, or DCS task — as the hardware doesn’t care. In contrast, end users do care, as they need programming tools that are familiar. That’s the main reason why ladder logic continues to exist … though in truth, today’s average cellphone has more computing power than the biggest Contrologix 5000.

Revamped servomotors from B&R more powerful

March 25, 2015 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Revamped 8LS series servomotors from B&R are now more powerful than ever. A more compact housing, optimized design and additional sizes are other improvements.

Size 2 and 3 servomotors with the same technical capabilities are now much more compact for maximum compatibility and higher power density. Size 5 and 7 motors come in additional lengths for better dynamics and torque.

Inductive encoders deliver more precise data than previous encoders. That plus a digital EnDat 2.2 interfacelets engineers incorporate common safety functions with hybrid motor cables (that group encoder and motor cables together) to reduce wiring effort and cost.

The most commonly used 8LS series motors are also available as preferred motors — with better price/performance ratios and reduced delivery times. If necessary, B&R can deliver these motors on short notice and send them via express delivery.

More stories on B&R

• B&R introduces premium IP65-rated helical gearboxes | New premium hollow shaft angular gearbox from B&R | High-power servo motors up to 140 kW from B&R

• New additions to B&R’s ACOPOSmicro lineup | B&R introduces certified digital servo drive safety system | DAANET offers compact B&R servo motors

• B&R Expands Line of Synchronous and Stepper Motors | B&R Automation’s new stepper motors | BiSS Interface for B&R’s ACOPOS Servo Drives

• B&R introduces Power Panel 65 ideal for multi-axis applications

Human-machine interfaces (HMIs) get smart software and mobile access

March 3, 2015 By Lisa Eitel Leave a Comment

Shown here is Opto 22 groov software displayed on a phone, plus a groov Box hardware appliance GROOV-AR1. The web-based software brings data from sensors, drives, meters, and other industrial devices to smartphones, tablets, and PCs. It uses OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) and Modbus/TCP protocols to communicate with myriad plant-floor devices.

Recent years have brought major advances in HMI technology—increasingly affordable multitouch screens, a shift from resistive displays to projected-capacitive displays, and displacement of proprietary design platforms by web-based HTML5 platforms. That’s according to Derrick Stacey, solutions engineer at B&R Industrial Automation.

The spread of capacitive displays has expanded HMI use in industries needing bezel-free designs, mostly because they help machinery meet cleanliness and sterility requirements. “Solid glass screens and capacitive touchscreens often extend field life. Why? The screens don’t work through pressure points on the display to form the circuit, so they’re not vulnerable to wear and decreased sensitivity—a problem with resistive displays,” said Stacey. What’s more, HMIs with capacitive displays have multitouch capabilities that make industrial displays feel more like personal mobile devices, helping machine builders leverage how comfortable many users already feel with such interfaces.

The consumer mobile-device market is improving HMIs for industrial applications in other ways, too.

“Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have helped improve HMI performance, because their wireless communications, bright displays and portable processing power mean they themselves can serve as HMIs,” said Selam Shimelash, applications engineer at Opto 22.

Traditional setups park an HMI at one location, so operators must run back and forth between it and different parts of the production or process line. “In contrast, with an HMI on a tablet, this is no longer the case. Operators can check machine status and respond to alarms anywhere, anytime,” said Shimelash.

Here, a related trend is toward web-based visualization—in other words, cloud-based access for decentralized

These new Automation Panel displays from B&R work as remote control displays (via a Smart Display Link 3 or SDL3 receiver) or combine with modules to make panel PCs. The HMIs can also display legacy programs and existing visualization applications in 4:3 format without forcing users to modify the software. Panels are 12.1 and 15 in. with XGA resolution for control-cabinet installations; there’s also a 19-in. panel with SXGA resolution.

personnel. That’s to help OEMs monitor remotely installed machines. Giving personnel remote system access decreases maintenance costs and helps end users manage systems more effectively. “For example, our system diagnostics manager is a web-hosted diagnostics page that a user can access from anywhere as long as the machine is on and he or she has network access and the IP address of the CPU of interest,” said Stacey. So, users get logger entries, hardware trees, motion-control statuses, and other CPU data sources in one place.

Hardware and software standardization is yet another HMI trend on open-source and proprietary systems alike. The marketplace is adapting to these standard technologies while pushing for changes to satisfy basic and advanced application demands.

Printing is a competitive high-tech market that’s constantly improving designs to produce more products faster than rival machines. These requirements drive cutting-edge HMI developments toward efficient and interconnected designs. “It also means that displays and systems behind them must be intelligent so no time is lost during operation—with web access to remotely notify managers if there is an issue,” said Stacey. Another consequence: Letting users make on-the-fly changes to machine operations (to keep up with varied production requirements) also necessitates modular hardware so operators can swiftly upgrade machines.

HMIs now link to Siemens Simotion 4.4 motion-control hardware and software to let end users setup and network motion applications through a graphical user interface. Simotion on Simatics HMI panels also let engineers eliminate programming and the risk of configuration errors, while leveraging a Totally Integrated Automation (TIA) framework for system compatibility even to the operations level.

Other high-tech industries are pharmaceutical and medical. “Machines in these industries are high-end OEM machines that need the latest and greatest HMI designs to differentiate them in the marketplace,” said Stacey. These OEMs push for more complex features like multitouch, as the HMI innovations often outweigh panel costs.
In contrast, there are other industries in which pushbuttons, switches and toggles are the primary modes of machine interaction. But advances in high-end HMIs have reduced the cost of entry-level HMIs…so now, even for the simplest interfaces, it’s cheaper to use HMIs than maintain arrays of wired connections to physical pushbuttons and switches. This could soon make entry-level HMIs so common that they become basic components on almost every machine, according to Stacey.

B&R introduces premium IP65-rated helical gearboxes

July 16, 2014 By Jennifer Calhoon Leave a Comment

Smoother operation for absolute precision
B&R introduces premium IP65-rated helical gearboxes

B&R is adding two new helical members to its premium family of gearboxes: the 8GP70 series with a shaft output and the 8GF70 series with a drive flange. These new products series offer excellent synchronization characteristics and a very low noise level at high speeds.

As with all B&R premium gearboxes, minimal backlash is a defining characteristic with an option available for reducing it even further (<1 arcminute). The ability of this premium series of gearboxes to handle high axial and radial forces, their high power density and their IP65 rating mean that they can be used in an extremely wide range of applications. Whenever an application places especially high demands on smooth operation, synchronicity and low excitation frequencies, these helical gearboxes are right at home. Woodworking machines, for example, can produce much smoother surfaces with less chatter, while printing machines can render a more consistent printed image. Since there is less heat build-up, high-speed machines can run even faster. Scalable and perfectly coordinated
By offering these new gearboxes with either a standard shaft or flange output, B&R not only provides the perfect gearbox to match any application, but also remains faithful to their successful Scalability+ concept. Thanks to compatible designs and connector dimensions, machinery can easily be adapted to changing requirements without having to make changes to the basic machine design. Both of these new gearboxes are available in 5 different sizes with gear ratios ranging from i=3 to i=100.

B&R Automation
www.br-automation.com

New premium hollow shaft angular gearbox from B&R

December 6, 2013 By Motion Control Tips Editor Leave a Comment

B&R’s selection of premium-grade angular planetary gearboxes has been expanded to include the new 8GA75 model for flange sizes 60 to 142 mm. The hollow shaft differentiates these new gearboxes from the well-known 8GA60 series with a solid shaft. With a hollow shaft it is possible to feed cables, fluid lines and material strands through the drive axis. The hollow and solid shaft models have identical performance data and dimensions.

Easy to create a symmetrical load distribution
The gearboxes are also available with output shaft flanges on both ends. This opens up additional design possibilities, such as drives with symmetrical load distribution for conveyor applications. It is also easier to connect external encoders to provide high-precision position measurements for controlling braking systems. The gearboxes are also optionally available with only one output side.

Like all premium gearboxes from B&R, the 8GA75 hollow shaft gearbox features exceptionally low backlash and high torsional rigidity. This permits high positioning precision in highly dynamic servo applications. Upon request, B&R can deliver these gearboxes with a servo motor pre-installed.

B&R Automation
www.br-automation.com

High-power servo motors up to 140 kW from B&R

November 21, 2013 By Motion Control Tips Editor Leave a Comment

B&R has expanded their product line to include servo motors with high torque and an extended range of speeds. The highly efficient motors in the 8KS series provide up to 140 kW of power and stall torque up to 555 Nm. Available in two sizes with speeds up to 3,000 rpm, 8KS motors open up new possibilities for applications in a wide range of industries that require high power. In addition, these servo motors are available with either axial or radial fans, water cooling and optional mounting feet.

For high-powered servo drive solutions
This motor series is also the perfect complement for implementing high-powered yet energy-efficient servo hydraulic drive solutions together with B&R’s servo pump control. The variant with reinforced bearings, for example, makes it possible to set up high-torque belt feed axes for electric injection molding machines.

Simple integration and easy commissioning just as expected
The servo motors in this series come equipped with a resolver interface, an optical encoder with EnDat interface and an embedded parameter chip, ensuring seamless compatibility with ACOPOSmulti drives and easy integration into B&R’s entire system landscape. As a result, 8KS motors can be installed and operated with the same comfort and ease that has come to be expected from all B&R motors.

B&R Automation
www.br-automation.com

New additions to B&R’s ACOPOSmicro lineup

November 19, 2013 By Motion Control Tips Editor Leave a Comment

B&R has made some new additions to its ACOPOSmicro line of compact dual-axis drives. In addition to the drives available with a resolver and EnDat 2.2 and LinMot encoder interfaces, the ACOPOSmicro Servo now also features a convenient option board. In addition to the two trigger inputs and the 24 VDC output, this option board also offers two digital outputs. These can be used to control a holding brake, for example.

Broad selection of cooling options

The ACOPOSmicro Stepper with a heat spreader can be fastened on mounting plates or cold plates. The new model with a heat sink, on the other hand, is designed for wall mounting. This new cooling option allows the stepper to be used in applications with higher performance requirements without taking up any additional cabinet space.

B&R Automation
www.br-automation.com