| This brochure presents Aerotech’s
ground-breaking, next generation motion, vision, PLC, robotics, and
I/O platform, the Automation 3200. It is used in many applications in
semiconductor, data storage, medical laser processing, automotive, and
machine tool industries. The system features the world’s first
high-performance, software-only controller (Nmotion® SMC) that offers
32 axes of synchronized motion control. It is the successor to Aerotech’s
performance-leading and widely utilized UNIDEX® 500 and 600 PC-based
motion controllers. The Nmotion® SMC retains the best features of
these previous controllers and combines them with an advanced, high-performance
distributed control architecture to produce a truly state-of-the-art
motion, vision, PLC, robotics, and I/O platform.
The A3200 is software-based (no PC slots required) and combines a robust,
high performance motion engine with vision, PLC, robotics, and I/O in
one unified programming environment. It utilizes the industry standard
FireWire® (IEEE-1394) network to provide from 1 to 32 axes of synchronized
control with no degradation in performance as the axis count increases.
The integration of multiple common automation tools into a single platform
provides users with the ability to integrate, develop, and maintain
the system faster and with lower cost. For instance, coupling the vision
module with the motion system that coordinates a cutting process (laser,
drill, mill, etc.) provides the ability to identify the workpiece and
its position, and to adjust the position and signal to the cutter, all
within one system. This integration dramatically reduces wiring and
the necessary components, which not only lowers integration and setup
cost but also increases reliability.
32 Axes of Synchronized Control
The Automation 3200 is capable of 32 axes of synchronized motion through
one interface, and the current platform is designed to expand to 62
axes of synchronized control. Applications developed on the Automation
3200 |
platform will be portable to future releases
so users can look forward to future advancements without having to worry
about abandoning legacy programs.
No Degradation of Performance
as Axis Count Increases
The Automation 3200 utilizes a distributed control architecture that
enables it to maintain performance independent of the number of axes
being controlled. It accomplishes this by avoiding the processing bottleneck
caused by today’s common single processor control architecture.
Position, velocity, and current loop closure are handled by Aerotech’s
Intelligent Network Drive (Ndrive®). Trajectory generation is done
on the PC using a real-time operating system that runs with higher priority
than Windows®. The PC executes programs and sends the position commands
to the Ndrive via FireWire® (IEEE-1394).
Greatly Simplified System Wiring
All of the external signals including encoder and I/O are fed directly
into the drive, allowing one cable to be used between the PC and the
drive. Drives are networked together with a single cable.
Complete System Solutions or
Retrofit Your Existing System
Aerotech offers the A3200 with both the Ndrive® series drives and
our linear and rotary motors to provide a complete system solution.
You can also retrofit existing motion systems with the A3200 and a combination
of Aerotech drives and motors, or retain your third-party drives and/or
motors. The flexibility of the A3200 means you get the system you want,
at a price you can afford.
This brochure describes the features and benefits of Aerotech’s
Automation 3200 platform, as well as the associated Ndrive® series
and Aerotech’s complete line of linear and rotary servomotors. |
