Stepper motion control products are simple yet powerful

When combined with an IDEC FC6A PLC and its embedded motion control macro instructions, these products allow users to quickly and simply implement single- and multi-axis motion control in a wide range of industries and applications.

Many industrial applications require motion control, but users are often frustrated by the complexity and high cost of implementation, particularly with servo systems. IDEC and AMCI have partnered to address this issue by offering a simple yet highly capable stepper motion control system. Macro instructions embedded in the PLC WindLDR programming software can be configured with drag and drop commands to perform control of up to 12 axes.

The integrated controller/drive and drive/stepper motor units save space and money, and simplify installation, by combining multiple components into a single unit. The integrated controller/drive/stepper motor units offer the ultimate in space saving, cost effectiveness and system simplification.

All AMCI by IDEC products provide users with AMCI’s expertise in motion control combined with IDEC’s service, support and extensive distribution network. Motion control macro instructions embedded in IDEC’s FC6A PLC reduce design and programming time, allowing quick implementation in a wide variety of applications. Because all the components and the software modules are provided by IDEC and AMCI in close partnership, users are assured of correct operation right out of the box, with no need to perform integration among the components.

As compared to more complex servo motion control systems, steppers are a simpler technology, and require no tuning or adjustment. They also have excellent torque at low speeds, don’t require position feedback, and have very low maintenance requirements. These characteristics make them a great fit in a variety of industries including medical/pharmaceutical, printing, packaging, material handling and semiconductor.

Linear applications within these and other industries include conveyers, rail positioning, pushing applications/part eject, X-Y tables and filling stations. Rotary applications within these and other industries include indexing tables, material feed, cut-to-length, labellers and winding.

AMCI by IDEC’s iANF2E (2-axis) controllers can accept encoder feedback to provide stall detection and move verification. Each controller includes six discrete inputs for move conditioning and other functions, and four discrete outputs to indicate status and provide diagnostics.

Each controller has a full complement of motion profiles, which can be selected by an IDEC MicroSmart FC6A PLC connected to the controller via an Ethernet-based Modbus TCP communications link. Up to six controllers can be connected to the PLC to control up to 12 axes of motion.

AMCI by IDEC’s iSM2340 NEMA 23 stepper motor comes in standard frame sizes with output torque of 130 or 240oz-in.

AMCI by IDEC’s iANG1E integrated controller/drive unit can control one to six axes of motion, and it combines all the features of AMCI’s 1-axis controller and a 4.0A stepper drive into a single unit.

AMCI by IDEC’s iSMD23 integrated drive/stepper motor unit provides up to 240oz-in of torque, and can be paired with the iANF2E to provide a complete solution. The unit can also be controlled by the PLC.

AMCI by IDEC’s iSMD23E integrated controller/drive/stepper motor unit provides all-in-one motion control with all the features of AMCI’s 1-axis controller, drive and stepper motor. No heat sinks are required due to its thermally efficient design. The integrated unit can operate over a wide range of input power, from 24-48VDC,