Decentralized positioning drives with EtherCAT

The versatile decentralized drives from TR-Electronic, also referred to as the encoTRive series, now support the EtherCAT Industrial Ethernet Interface. The communication system uses CANopen DSP 402 standards to transmit the parameters embedded in the EtherCAT protocol. The specified CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE) protocol enables use of the CANopen over EtherCAT drive profile. The SDO protocol is directly adopted, so that existing CANopen stacks can be used seamlessly. The process data is organized into Process Data Objects (PDO’s), which are efficiently transmitted via EtherCAT, removing the prior 8-byte limitation. All CANopen profiles - and consequently the drive profile (DS 402) - are fully functional.

The positioning drives in the MA series are ideally suited as auxiliary drives for adjusting formats, guide rails and stops for use in folding machines, thermoforming machines and component mixing systems. The DC motors with integrated, multi-turn, absolute rotary encoder, control module and bus interface, position accurately to within 1..2° (depending on the gearbox configuration) and provides up to 100 W in continuous operation. The moment of inertia of the drives is high in comparison to EC motors, which has a positive effect on controller quality during the movement of large masses. Even heavy stops and guide rails can be safely positioned. The DC motors are designed for occasional movement and are therefore optimal for the automation of settings that would normally be made manually.