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Automation1 iXC4 PWM Servo Drive with Motion Controller

The XC4 PWM digital drive is a high-performance single-axis motor drive designed for motion control applications. All versions are compatible with both the Automation1 and the Automation 3200 motion platforms utilizing the HyperWire® motion bus. The amplifiers control brushless DC, brush DC, voice coil and stepper motor types at up to 340 VDC operating voltage and 30 A peak current capability.

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Description

Design Features

  • Unlock the full motion control power of our Automation1-iSMC intelligent software-based motion controller
  • Features complete configuration & performance capability of XC4 servo motor drive
  • Connect to the controller using EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus or a Socket interface
  • Enjoy up to 12 axes of control by connecting more Automation1 drives over the HyperWire fiber-optic bus
  • Expand your I/O by adding expansion board to the iXC4 or to other connected drives
  • Available with Multi-axis Position Synchronized Output (PSO) (Single-axis is standard)

Motion. Control. Together.

The Automation1-iXC4, a hardware platform for running the Automation1-iSMC intelligent software-based motion controller, features a servo motor drive. That means it has the ability to run your entire machine’s control, act as a servo drive for a single axis and control up to 11 added axes of motion over our fiber-optic HyperWire motion bus. The supported EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP and Socket interface enable true full machine and motion system control. Combining this technology on a single hardware device lowers your machine costs, reduces machine size and increases reliability. 

The iSMC, which runs on the iXC4, is programmable in AeroScript from the Automation1 Studio application and several available APIs. 

Automation1

The iXC4 is a part of the user-friendly Automation1 motion control platform, which includes the following:

The iXC4 PWM servo drive with motion controller is the right choice for your precision machine or system. It begins with superior motion control technology. The Automation1-iSMC (configured separately and installed on the iXC4) contains technology once reserved for high-end PC-based architectures.

That’s not the only reason the iXC4 is a game-changer. It also contains our XC4 single-axis PWM digital drive — within the same compact package. You can also add up to 11 additional axes of control over the HyperWire® fiber-optic motion bus.

The iSMC controller can connect to, command and control any other Automation1 servo motor drive. The iXC4 and additional servo motor drives can be configured with I/O expansion boards, giving the iSMC controller the connectivity required to take full control of your machine or system.

The iXC4 PWM amplifiers control brushless DC, brush DC, voice coil or stepper motor types at up to 340 VDC operating voltage and 30 A peak current capability. The current loop and servo loop are closed digitally at 20 kHz, assuring the highest level of positioning accuracy and repeatability. Digital and analog data collection and position capturing occur at the same 20 kHz rates. Axis and process data is quickly communicated to the motion controller for processing in real time.

Standard drive features for the iXC4 include safe torque off (STO), a data array consisting of over 4 million 32-bit elements (16.7 MB), digital and analog I/O (see table), one-axis Position Synchronized Output (PSO), dedicated home and end-of-travel limit inputs, and an enhanced current sense device. Encoder support includes squarewave, sine-wave and absolute encoders.

The standard iXC4 accepts square-wave encoder feedback at rates of up to 40 million counts-per-second. Sine-wave encoders can be multiplied by up to 16,384 — producing high resolution position feedback — with the optional encoder multiplier feature. Each single-axis iXC4 can be configured with the MX1 encoder multiplier, enabling higher levels of position and velocity control.

Each drive-based controller has an optional I/O expansion board, significantly increasing the number of I/O points. This I/O board includes a dedicated PSO output and a PSO synchronization input, which are often used to synchronize process control with an external mode locked frequency. Upgrade the drive’s PSO capabilities by adding Three-axis Part-Speed PSO.

Platform Power

More than just hardware, the iXC4 gives you access to the complete power of the Automation1 motion control platform. This includes the Automation1 motion development kit (MDK), the intelligent software-based controller (iSMC) and the powerful AeroScript™ programming language with integrated RS-274 G and M code support. The Automation1 iSMC can also be programmed by various controller APIs, providing flexible methods of integrating the iXC4 and the machine and axes it controls into your system architecture.   

Specifications

Automation1 iXC4e Device Specifications

SpecificationDescription
Motion Controller )1)Aerotech’s Automation1 iSMC Intelligent Software-Based Motion Controller (version 2.00 and above)
Motor StyleBrush, brushless, voice coil, stepper (2)
Motor SupplySingle-phase 0-240 VAC; 50/60 Hz
Control Supply100-240 VAC; 50/60 Hz
Bus Voltage (3)0-340 VDC
Peak Output Current (1 sec) (4)10 Apk | 20 Apk | 30 Apk
Continuous Output Current (4)(5)5 Apk | 10 Apk | 10 Apk
Position Synchronized Output (PSO)Standard: One-axis PSO (includes one-axis part-speed PSO)

Optional: Two-axis PSO (includes two-axis part-speed PSO)
Three-axis PSO (includes three-axis part-speed PSO)
Two-axis part-speed PSO only
Three-axis part-speed PSO only
25-Pin Motor Feedback ConnectorHigh-speed differential inputs (encoder sin, cos and marker)
CW and CCW limits
Hall effect sensor inputs (A, B and C)
Analog motor temperature input (accepts digital)
Brake output
26-Pin Auxiliary Feedback ConnectorHigh-speed differential inputs (encoder sin, cos and marker)*
4x optically isolated digital inputs
4x optically isolated digital outputs
1x 16-bit differential ±10 V analog input
1x 16-bit single-ended ±10 V analog output
2x optically isolated high-speed inputs *This channel is bidirectional and can be used to echo out encoder signal
Multiplier OptionsMX0 Option:
Primary Encoder: 40 million counts-per-second square-wave input
Auxiliary Encoder: 40 million counts-per-second square-wave input

MX2 Option:
Primary Encoder: 2 MHz / 450 kHz (bandwidth selectable) sine-wave input, encoder multiplier up to 65,536
Auxiliary Encoder: 40 million counts per second square-wave input

MX3 Option:
Primary Encoder: 2 MHz / 450 kHz (bandwidth selectable) sine-wave input, encoder multiplier up to 65,536
Auxiliary Encoder: 450 kHz sine-wave input, encoder multiplier up to x16,384*

*Encoders multiplied with this input cannot be echoed out.
I/O Expansion Board (-EB1)1x additional PSO connection point
1x PSO synchronization input
16x digital inputs, optically isolated
16x digital outputs, optically isolated
3x analog inputs, 16-bit, differential, ±10 V
3x analog outputs, 16-bit, single-ended, ±10 V
Drive Array Memory16,777,216 32-bit elements (67 MB)
High-Speed Data CaptureYes (50 ns latency)
Safe Torque Off (STO)Yes, SIL3/PLe/Cat 4
HyperWire Connections1x HyperWire small form-factor pluggable (SFP) ports
Automatic Brake ControlStandard; 24 V at 1 A
Absolute EncoderRenishaw resolute BiSS; EnDat 2.1; and EnDat 2.2
Current Loop Update Rate20 kHz
Servo Loop Update Rate20 kHz
Power Amplifier BandwidthSelectable through software (85-95% efficiency)
Minimum Load Inductance0.1 mH
Operating Temperature0 to 40°C
Storage Temperature-30 to 85°C
Weight2.36 kg (5.20 lb)
ComplianceCE approved, NRTL safety certification, EU 2015/863 RoHS 3 directive
Notes:
  1. See the Automation1 iSMC controller page for more information.
  2. For stepper motors only, one-half of bus voltage is applied across the motor (e.g 80 VDC supply results in 40 VDC across stepper motor).
  3. Output voltage depends on input voltage.
  4. Peak value of the sine wave; rms current for AC motors is 0.707 * Apk.
  5. Maximum achievable continuous output current depends on the thermal conditions of the drive.
Dimensions
Automation1 iXC4e, -EB0 Option
Automation1 iXC4e, -EB1 Option
Ordering Info
Controller Configuration
Description
To configure and load the motion controller on the iXC4e drive, please use configure and order an Automation1-iSMC intelligent controller with your iXC4e drive. The Automation1-iSMC configuration should include the iXC4e as the “hardware platform.”
Automation1 iXC4e
OptionDescription
Automation1 iXC4ePWM Servo Drive with Motion Controller
Peak Current
OptionDescription
1010 A peak, 5 A cont. current (default)
2020 peak, 10 A cont. current
3030 A peak, 10 A cont. current
Expansion Board
OptionDescription
EB0No expansion board
EB1IO expansion board
Multiplier
OptionDescription
MX0No encoder board (default)
MX22 MHz x65536 multiplier (primary), no multiplier (auxiliary) 2 MHz / 450 kHz (bandwidth selectable) x16384 multiplier (primary), no multiplier (auxiliary)
MX32 MHz x65536 multiplier (primary), 450 kHz x16384 multiplier (auxiliary)
PSO
OptionDescription
PS01One-Axis PSO (default)
PS02Two-axis PSO
PS03Three-axis PSO
PS05Two-axis part-speed PSO
PS06Three-axis part-speed PSO
External Shunt
OptionDescription
SX0No 2-pin connector for external shunt (default)
SX12-pin connector for external shunt

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