Standalone EtherCAT Master Controller

Designated the SPiiPlus NTM, the master controller is part of ACS’ expanded SPiiPlus EtherCAT family.

The advanced EtherCAT master controller operates complex machine control tasks such as application programs, communication with the host PC or HMI, safety and error handling, and multi-axis motion profile generation. The SPiiPlus NTM can control up to 32 axes of fully synchronized motion, with all real time control tasks handled by slave drives. Providing a small footprint and low cost, the SPiiPlus NTM controls the following ACS slave modules to provide additional drive and I/O capabilities:
• MC4Udc - up to 8 axis drive chassis for servo/stepper motors
• UDMnt - up to 2 axis drive module for servo/stepper motors
• SDMnt - up to 8 axis stepper drive module
• PDMnt - up to 4 axis Pulse/Direction Interface module
• IOMnt - up to 32/32 digital I/O module

In addition, the SPiiPlus NTM controller can control any third party EtherCAT drive or I/O modules, which are qualified by ACS Motion Control.

"The SPiiPlus EtherCAT family of products offer advanced, high-level machine control with a smaller footprint and smaller cost when compared to competing control solutions," said Jason Goerges, sales and support manager at ACS Motion Control. "Our universal drive technology provides a flexible solution for all motor topologies, further helping to reduce costs, as users can run several axes from one drive module." The SPiiPlus NTM is supported by the ACSPL+ motion programming language and a set of software tools, such as the SPiiPlus MMI Application Studio and API for host application development. These tools include a full PC-based controller simulator that greatly reduces the cost of ownership and time-to-market for OEMs, system integrators and end users.

For more information about the SPiiPlus NTM from ACS Motion Control, go to www.acsmotioncontrol.com.