Software makes motion control a SNAP
August 2007
Motion Control & Drives
Opto 22, a developer and manufacturer of hardware and software for industrial automation, remote monitoring, data acquisition, and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications, has introduced the SNAP motion control subsystem (MCS), which offers a cohesive development platform for applications that require motion control along with analogue, digital, and serial control.
Opto 22’s motion host module is capable of communicating with up to 16 axes of stepper motion
By combining motion control with process control, sequential logic, string and data handling, math, and networking in a single PAC system, the motion subsystem helps complete the functionality of the SNAP PAC system. Furthermore, by integrating motion control commands into the Opto 22 PAC programming environment, users can continue to use a single development environment to address all of their industrial control, motion, data acquisition, and monitoring challenges.
The MCS combines a SNAP motion host communication module, a motion breakout board, and the OptoMotion command library for use with the control programming software suite. Combined, hardware and software provide a set of integrated, easy-to-use tools that simplify application development where multi-axis stepper motor control is combined with traditional analogue, digital, and serial-based automation and control.
Each SNAP-SCM-MCH-16 motion host module is capable of communicating with up to 16 axes of stepper motion through the use of up to four breakout boards - intelligent Magellan-based motion processors that accommodate up to four axes of stepper motion each. Because the breakout boards drive the stepper motors based on commands received serially from the host, the MCS can act as a distributed, intelligent system delivering higher performance than traditional single-CPU motion control systems.
The OptoMotion command set for PAC Control supports several Magellan Motion Processor commands and gives users the ability to define and acquire motion process data such as position, velocity, acceleration, breakpoints, interrupts, and time intervals, and also execute motion-related actions such as smooth stops, abrupt stops, stepping, and position adjustments.
The SNAP Motion Control Subsystem provides a cost-effective approach to solving tough automation and motion problems for applications in aerospace, automotive, packaging, and other industries. This includes fabrication, registration, cutoff, winding, die cutting, and inspection processes involving hydraulic pumps, air cylinders, machine tools, and other equipment.
For more information contact Mike Harrison, Opto Controls, +27 (0)11 792 5232, [email protected], www.opto.co.za
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