UK motion specialist Trio Motion Technology has launched a new motion controller for up to 64 axes with high speed EtherCAT control. Trio’s new Flex-X Nano Motion Coordinator is designed to increase machine productivity while optimising motion precision. Powered by a 1.2GHz, 64-bit Dual Core ARM Cortex A55 Processor, Flex-X Nano runs EtherCAT cycle times down to 125μs. Just 147mm high and 17mm wide, the new pocket-sized Flex-X Nano Motion Coordinator fits within an extremely compact footprint.
The new motion controller has been designed for applications that demand multi-axis servo control performance, including packaging, manufacturing automation, material handling, pick-and-place, CNC cutting machines, and gantries.
The Flex-X Nano Motion Coordinator advances on Trio’s existing Flex-6 Nano controller to further enhance machine productivity and quality. Adding a 64-bit chip, the new Flex-X Nano increases processor speed by 20%, raises Ethernet TCP communications speed by 10% and boosts programme execution speed by 25%. The new controller also features 1.2GHz clock frequency, IEEE 457 Double maths precision, and a motion command execution benchmark of 125 lines/ms. These advances achieve faster multi-axis motion coordination, from 2 to 64 axes, with EtherCAT cycle times down to 125μs.
The Flex-X Nano can simultaneously control machines, robots, and motion axes. The advantages of integrating a single controller, instead of using a PLC plus an additional robot controller or motion controller, include faster set up, reduced space, and increased reliability for the end user.
Complex programmes can run from Flex-X Nano’s 1GBit DDR3 memory and 1GBit fast serial flash memory, and a Micro SD card slot further extends this capability.
OEMs can also add functionality, including I/O and device integration via Trio Flexslice modules that communicate over EtherCAT.
The controller can be programmed via Trio’s easy-to-use, Windows-based Motion Perfect software with either IEC 61131-3 languages, PLCopen, or Trio’s core programming option.
