Control Platform for Absolute Precision in Motion and Positioning

At SPS Nuremberg, Aerotech presented its solution for a uniform control of speed, position and strength, specifically designed for the applications requiring high precision.

by Marta Bonaria

At the SPS – Smart Production Solutions in Nuremberg, Aerotech presented its Automation1 control platform, which , among other things, demonstrated in a demo system force regulation with the ACT115DL linear high-performance actuator. The motion control platform functions as a complete machine control with all components, thus offering much more than a pure “motion control” solution.

Simple and uniform control with short settling times
Aerotech develops motion control and positioning systems and associated software solutions. These are used wherever high throughput is required with absolute precision, for example in laser processing. Anyone who uses an optimised control platform reduces the non-value added development effort and can sometimes supply their customers faster. The platform can be used to drive servo and stepper motors, galvo scan heads, piezoelectric actuators, and a variety of other devices. The drives are connected via the HyperWire bus, the most powerful communication bus in the motion control industry. At the exhibition stand, Aerotech used a concrete example to show how the force control can be set up and used with Automation1. For this, the linear high-performance actuator ACT115DL is installed in combination with a force sensor. The exhibition stand visitors could see for themselves how easy it is to start the positioning mode, then use the force smoothly and shock-free and then switch back to the positioning mode. It is demonstrated how the rigid mechanical structure of the linear actuator enables excellent dynamic performance with significantly reduced settling times. Since the non-magnetic rotor is cogging-free and has sufficient power, extremely uniform speed, position and force control can be ensured.

The experience in motion control combined with the latest technology
According to Aerotech, the new Automation1 platform supports today’s growth markets for precision machinery and motion control, and is particularly well-suited for automation systems, precision laser processes, test and inspection processes, and other applications where process control is closely linked to motion control. Thus, the new control and drive development offers even greater optimisation potential for faster motion and settling times, better position stability and increased contour accuracy.