Advanced Motion Controls Introduces CANopen Communication to 20-90 VDC Compact Servo Drives
Advanced Motion Controls (AMC), whose solutions provide reliability and high performance for any motion control system, announces new, expanded options for its popular FlexPro line of compact servo drives, providing flexibility in communication protocols and supply voltages.
The FE100-25-CM is the latest in 20-90 VDC options for AMC’s FlexPro servo drives. Previously available with EtherCAT communication (FE100-25-EM), the new PCB-mount servo drive with IMPACT architecture offers full tuning control of all servo loops for distributed or centralized systems using CANopen communication.
CANopen is a highly configurable open protocol that is robust and low-cost, providing enhanced diagnostic and control capabilities with medium-level bandwidth. Data transfer speeds can be as high as 1 MB/sec, allowing a servo drive update rate close to 1 kHz.
The FE100-25-CM has a continuous current rating of 25 A, with a peak current of 50 A. The high current ratings enable the drive to handle intense torques and move heavy loads that would previously have required bigger and heavier servo drives.
AMC’s CAN-compatible FlexPro servo drives follow DS-402, a standard device profile for motion control. Measuring 38.1 x 25.4 x 11.5 mm, the FE100-25-CM drive has a footprint of roughly two postage stamps. The PCB-mount form factor allows for the tightest, most compact integration. The new servo drive is also available mounted on a development board (FD100-25-CM) or machine embedded-style board (FM100-25-CM).
The micro-sized FlexPro servo drive series is AMC’s answer to the growing industry demand for compact motion control solutions that don’t compromise on power or performance. Developed for the FlexPro drive family, IMPACT (Integrated Motion Platform and Control Technology) is an architectural design for digital servo drives that allows for the highest performance and power density available. Using high-power components and micro-devices, drives with IMPACT can handle very high currents in a compact package, with no need for an external controller.
FlexPro servo drives are ideal for mobile robots, fixed robots, collaborative robots (cobots), aerospace, and portable devices where space and weight are critical. Their compact size allows for distributed installation near motors or even within motor housings, reducing the noise and cost associated with long cable runs. In battery-powered applications, such as mobile robots, a drive weight of only 19.8 g translates to better efficiency, meaning more time in operation and less time on the charger.
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