Up to 10 axes of coordinated motion

Multiple 10-axis systems can be controlled by a single PC via Ethernet or USB

Controller architecture capable of coordinating motion of up to five independent tasks

Capable of driving and controlling linear or rotary brushless, DC brush servo, and micro-stepping motors

Complete motion capabilities include: point-to-point, linear and circular interpolation, electronic gearing, velocity profiling

Program in AeroBASIC™ with the IDE, Microsoft .NET including C#, VB.NET^®, Managed C++, or LabVIEW^® over Ethernet or USB from Windows^® 2000 or Windows^® XP

Remote ASCII interface provided for Windows^® or non-Windows^® programs (including Linux) to command the Epaq through standard Ethernet, RS-232 port, and optional IEEE-488

Fully compatible with EPICS set of software tools and applications, making Ensemble ideal for use in synchrotron and general laboratory facilities

Advanced Windows^®-based remote diagnostics, tuning, and programming interface software

Axis jogging/control with optional joystick

Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP™ interface provides full integration with the Ensemble; program the Ensemble directly from RSLogix™ 5000

Versatile Stand Alone Multi-Axis Control
With the Ensemble stand-alone controller, up to ten axes of synchronized motion are offered in a distributed network of panel-mounted drives. This is excellent for applications where drives must be embedded into a machine at various locations or where panel space is at a premium. For desktop and rack-mount installations, the Ensemble is offered in a stand-alone 6-axis unit with integrated drives. Three additional panel mounted linear or PWM drives may be added externally to the six-axis unit for up to nine axes of motion control. The Ensemble can control any Aerotech brushless, brush, or stepper motors or stages in any combination. The simple parameter interface also allows easy integration to third-party motors and stages. The controller encoder interface includes TTL quadrature input or analog encoder input. Multiple Ensemble controllers can be controlled from a single Windows^® PC through Ethernet or USB, allowing many more than ten axes of motion to be operated from one host PC.

Powerful and Intuitive Programming Functionality
Unlike most controllers on the market today, there is no need to understand a cryptic command set to generate motion. The intuitive interface allows a user to begin programming immediately. Ensemble online help further simplifies writing motion programs and includes many functional examples that can be easily modified for customer applications.

The Ensemble Integrated Development Environment software offers a graphical user interface in Windows® featuring an intuitive Program Editor, Variable Output window, Compiler Output window, Task State monitor, Network Explorer, and Solution Explorer. This interface enables users to easily monitor all aspects of their positioning system, no matter how complex. The Axis Control and Diagnostic screen interfaces are further supplemented by a fully functional Autotuning utility that minimizes startup time and allows easy optimization of motion axes. System diagnostics are easily read from the interface. The Windows-based remote software package is included with each unit, which allows the user to upload/download programs, modify parameter files, and analyze motion with Aerotech’s advanced graphical tuning package, all from the convenience of a remote PC.

Each Ensemble axis uses the processing power of a 225 MHz double precision, floating-point DSP to offer exceptional performance in a variety of applications, including point-to-point motion, linear and circular interpolation, multi-axis error correction, 2D error mapping, direct commutation of linear and rotary brushless servomotors, and on-board servo autotuning. High-speed interrupts and data logging capabilities provide a real-time link to external systems. The Ensemble also offers high-speed position latching capability and optional single-axis PSO (Position Synchronized Output). Whether the requirement is simple point-to-point motion or complex velocity profiled contours with output on the fly, Ensemble ensures peak performance for critical applications.

Flexible Drives
Because the Ensemble can control many different types of motors, users have excellent flexibility in their motion system design. High accuracy linear motor air-bearings can be controlled from the same controller running lower precision drives with servo or stepper motors. Parameters are easily reconfigured for these various motors and feedback devices, so customers can adapt to changing system needs.

Allen-Bradley Interface
Combine proven PLC with proven motion control for easier integration, startup, and maintenance of medium- and high-end automation projects. The Aerotech EtherNet/IP™ interface enables AB PLCs (MicroLogix, CompactLogix™, or ControlLogix) to be integrated directly with the Ensemble. Motion can be directly programmed in the RSLogix 5000 environment or separate programs can be written on the controller and triggered from the AB PLC. Aerotech has two interfaces: ASCII and Register. Choose the PLC, motion controller, and interface that best fits your application needs.

EPICS Drivers
Each Ensemble installation includes full compatibility with the EPICS open source distributed control system. EPICS is used worldwide at leading light source (synchrotron) facilities and other government laboratories, allowing Ensemble to seamlessly integrate into applications at all major research institutions.

Enhancing a Legacy of Success
Although Ensemble is envisioned as a general-purpose, stand-alone controller, it carries forward a legacy of success built from Aerotech’s hugely successful A3200 and Soloist™ controllers. It offers enhanced capabilities that will make it an ideal choice for many aggressive motion control applications. The Ensemble motion control architecture builds upon the Soloist intuitive graphical user interface, while offering advanced features appropriate for multi-axis control. Ease of use is further improved with pre-coded LabVIEW^® VIs, AeroBASIC™ programming functionality, .NET tools for C#, VB.NET, and managed C++ compatibility.