Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2024 - MD-7

motion control for a project. For instance,
most precision motion controllers
enable specifying a motion path or trajectory
using either the G-code language or
a custom scripting language that may be
easier to program than traditional IEC
ladder logic. There can also be other
process improvements - like faster I/O
processing - that result from using a
motion control solution. These considerations
are all worth investigating and can
lead to discovering even more benefits.
Pivoting Your Organization
Once an organization determines it
needs to develop a precision motion control
skillset, the next step is to start evaluating
the requirements across all systems. It's
important to do this before a system build
begins because the most pressing requirements,
which can easily become the focus
during the build, are often not the most
influential. Laying the groundwork ahead
of time includes documenting short- and
long-term requirements. The most successful
teams identify these requirements
early and build a path to adopting new
technologies. Taking a long-term view allows
time to consider the impact a new
control platform will have on the team
and how influential each requirement is
to the organization as a whole.
A good starting point for identifying requirements
is determining the level of
performance improvement needed for
the system. The chosen solution should
benefit the full spectrum of these needs.
Note that every servo motor is configured,
tuned and optimized for the task at hand.
This process can be time consuming and
increase build costs, but it cannot be
avoided. Thus, a preferable solution will
minimize the time it takes to set up a machine
as well as provide the necessary features
needed to accomplish the process.
Depending on the internal and external
needs, organizations
should also
evaluate feature sets including:
* advanced control features
* supported feedback devices
* operating system compatibility
* programming APIs
* communication with other controllers
* support for different motor drive types
and power ratings
* support for additional I/O, tools for
custom developments.
Figure 2 shows a sampling of the software
and hardware available in the
Aerotech Automation1 motion control
Motion Design, August 2024
platform, which is an example of a platform
that delivers the above features.
It is important to start the motion
control supplier evaluation process early
and give this process some time. Motion
controllers tend to be complex systems
that offer a variety of ways to accomplish
different goals. A clear understanding of
system requirements and available solutions
allows organizations to confidently
pick the motion control approach that is
most likely to increase their system performance
and customer satisfaction.
This article was written by Patrick
Wheeler, Product Manager, Aerotech
(Pittsburgh, PA). For more information
visit, www.aerotech.com.
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bodine-electric.com | info@bodine-electric.com | Peosta, IA USA | 773.478.3515 (USA)
7
http://www.aerotech.com http://info.hotims.com/86258-758
Tech Briefs Magazine - August 2024

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