Scalable PACMotion suits complex motion control

Karl Pickan, Product Manager OEM for GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms Europe, says: "PACMotion provides a striking leap in performance. PACMotion delivers the ultimate in scalable motion control combining a distributed CPU architecture integrated across a high-speed backplane."

Using PACcore, a multi-processor architecture bridged by virtual dual-port memory and high-speed PCI backplane, PACMotion enables consistent performance and tight synchronisation of all axes in the rack.

Eliminate errors and variability

Variability in manufacturing is the enemy of quality and yield. In complex machining operations where many axes need to be synchronised, motion controllers that have a single microprocessor for all functions will see loop update performance degrade as the CPU processes more information for more axes. Longer loop update times can introduce errors and variability in high-speed manufacturing. PACMotion is claimed to eliminate this variability with PACcore architecture.

Pickan says: "GE Fanuc's PACMotion is the motion controller of choice for OEMs that need an integrated motion and machine logic solution. The proven dependability of GE Fanuc products allows them to deliver unprecedented productivity in their machines through increased efficiency, flexibility and reliability, enabled by unique features such as the PACcore multi-processor architecture and simultaneous updating of synchronised axes with no performance degradation."

Michael Harsh, Chief Technology Officer for GE Enterprise Solutions, explains: "Motion path planning is an incredibly intensive computational process. Our hybrid distributed architecture makes it possible to add axes but not increase the load on the central processor, thereby keeping the performance exactly the same regardless of the number of axes in a system. For complex motion applications, this is critical."

Common database

As an integrated motion product, PACMotion simplifies programming by sharing a common database, eliminating complex data exchange between different programs, and reduces the learning curve required with two different programming languages, therefore boosting engineering productivity.

Himanshu Shah, from the ARC Advisory Group, says: "End users and OEMs are continually seeking higher performance from production machinery. PACMotion is designed to bring out that extra performance from the same machine. In fact, it could help provide manufacturers with an edge over their competition in many multi-axis machine applications due to embedded advanced features such as scalability without degrading performance, seamless blending of jerk-limited moves anywhere along the motion profile, and powerful diagnostic tools for maximum machine availability. PACMotion should expand GE Fanuc's opportunities in the machine control market."

Craig Resnick, also from the ARC Advisory Group, adds: "PACMotion demonstrates the continued evolution of PAC platforms such as the RX3i to better address the integration issues confronting manufacturers, machine builders and OEMs by further extending the multi-disciplined domain expertise of automation systems. Machine builders and OEMs want fewer components and seek platforms that enable multiple-discipline development and functionality without compromising the technical integrity of their solution. PAC platforms today are proving that multi-disciplined solutions and best-of-breed solutions are not mutually exclusive, which results in an increased return on assets, reduced lifecycle costs, and a lower total cost of ownership for manufacturers, machine builders and OEMs."

PACMotion serves the needs of high-speed machines with a high number of synchronised axes. Industries needing this feature include packaging, assembly, woodworking, metalworking and printing. PACMotion is available immediately.

For more information, go to www.gefanuc.com/pacmotion.