Posted to News on 26th Oct 2015, 16:21
Networked, panel-mount piezo drive for co-ordinated motion
Aerotech's Ensemble QLe panel-mount nanopositioning piezo drive is designed for seamless use with the Ensemble family of drives and controllers. The QLe connects to any Ensemble controller network to enable co-ordinated motion between piezo stages and servo axes at much higher rates than is said to be possible with other controller or drive products. It is suitable for applications ranging from demanding scientific research to advanced OEM machine systems.
Featuring a dual-core 456MHz, double-precision, floating-point DSP, the QLe drives provide extreme processing power over a wide variety of applications including point-to-point motion, linear and circular interpolation, multi-axis error correction, and autofocusing. High-speed interrupts and data logging capabilities provide a real-time link to external systems. The QLe also offers high-speed position latching capability and multi-axis position synchronised output (PSO) for pulse generation based on actual position feedback in applications ranging from laser firing to data acquisition system triggering.
Using the latest technology and high-resolution A/D and D/A converters, the QLe enables sub-nanometre positioning resolution at high bandwidths. Capacitive sensor feedback circuitry provides ultra-low-noise performance over the full travel range, with excellent thermal stability and exceptional long-term holding stability. Linearity is better than 0.01 per cent over the full travel range in closed-loop mode.
Versatile digital and analogue I/O
In addition to the four optically-isolated digital inputs, two high-speed digital inputs, and four optically isolated digital outputs, the Ensemble QLe is equipped with analogue inputs and outputs. For ultra-precise applications, the QLe offers an 18-bit analogue input that can be programmatically configured to accept an external feedback sensor or position command. This analogue input also allows the high-voltage power amplifier to be controlled directly by an external low-level analogue input. Also, the QLe has one 20-bit analogue output that can be programmatically configured for position or voltage monitoring at very high resolutions.
Ensemble software uses advanced PID servo loops with feedforward and multiple integrators coupled with eight programmable filters to provide the user with all necessary tools for optimising motion performance. Additional software options such as Aerotech's Dynamic Controls Toolbox and Motion Designer packages make available a host of advanced, yet easy-to-use, tools that can improve tracking errors and provide faster step-and-settle times. These tools include Learning Control, Harmonic Cancellation, Command Shaping, and Cross-Axis Feedforward. Advanced tuning utilities minimise startup time by allowing easy optimisation of motion axes. Pre-coded LabVIEW VIs, AeroBasic programming functionality, MATLAB library, .NET tools for C#, VB.NET and C++/CLI or C make the Ensemble even easier to use.
Follow the link for further information about the Ensemble QLe panel-mount nanopositioning piezo drive.
