EMP-9xx8 Series is a SoftPLC based motion controller with a high performance processor, an integrated real-time EtherCAT master and a multi-axis motion kernel. The built-in motion engine together with the EtherCAT master are running on a dedicated processor in a real-time environment to achieve a time-deterministic control of the EtherCAT application. The controller uses EtherCAT as its main communications technology.
EMP-9xx8 Series combines a PLC-based motion logic system with a Windows IoT operation system, allowing PLC, motion control and Windows application to run simultaneously without affecting each other. This enables the machine-builders to integrate in house developed or third party Windows software, for instance, HMIs, data gathering and processing applications. Programming interfaces and shared memory communication are provided to allow Windows application to directly and rapidly access the PLC data.
The SoftPLC supports all five programming language defined by the IEC61131-3 standard, provides extensive programming libraries including motion control and fieldbus libraries. The motion control function blocks are designed according to PLCopen (part 1, 2, 4) and CiA402, are easy to use and greatly reduces learning and development time. The controller can handle up to 512 EtherCAT slaves and up to 32 EtherCAT servo/stepper drives. It supports the implementation of both simple and complex motion control, such as single- and multi-axis movements and interpolation.
A OPC UA server is part of the PLC runtime and is a secure, open, reliable mechanism for transferring information. OPC UA is used for horizontal communication between machines and vertical communication between the machine and higher-level IT system (SCADA, cloud). All standard OPC UA clients can be directly connected to the motion controller without customization thereby reducing integration or application software development costs.
Equipped with a variety communication interfaces (RS-232/485, Ethernet ports, USB, etc.) the controller makes it easy to integrate peripheral devices such as sensors, machine vision systems, and central computers. In addition expandable communication and IO module are available for ease of customization.
EMP-9xx8 Series uses EtherCAT as its main real-time, high speed communication protocol. Beside EtherCAT the Modbus fieldbus (TCP, RTU, ASCII) is an integral part of the SoftPLC which allows the controller to be connected to a Modbus network and act as a Modbus/EtherCAT gateway.
The compact design with robust metal housing saves space in machines and control panels and reduces EMF interference.
Embedded is a software package for configuration, programming and monitoring the multi-axis controller. In addition extensive programming example are provided.
