Well positioned at the SPS trade fair

When the SPS trade fair starts in Nuremberg from 8-10 November, Aerotech, as a specialist for motion control and positioning solutions, will also be there. The new release 2.3 of the motion control platform Automation1 and several linear motor stages of the PRO Series will be on display – controlled on the booth with Automation1.

“After last year’s SPS had to be cancelled at short notice, we are looking forward to November all the more,” says Simon Smith, European director of Aerotech. “We naturally feel at home and well-positioned when it comes to key topics such as motion control, drive and movement control, especially as we have a home advantage as a company based in Fuerth.”

Visitors to the Aerotech booth can see for themselves how positioning systems and peripheral components can be controlled in a user-friendly way using just one control platform. The Automation1 suite replaces previous control platforms (A3200, Ensemble and Soloist) with new and more powerful features in an easy-to-learn and intuitive architecture.

“Our latest release 2.3 comes with several new features such as the ‘Machine Apps HMI development tool’,” says Smith. “With this fully customisable tool, we have replaced the previous CNC user interface and, in this way, revolutionised user interfaces for drive systems.”

In addition, version 2.3 of Automation1 has successfully left the beta phase and is now officially EtherCAT-compatible, which enables connection to PLC-based systems and thus expands the options for high-precision motion processes when they are embedded in a conventional system with lower precision. Currently still in beta, but already part of the new version are the touchscreen functions for MachineApps support and the Python API configuration interface.

Automation 1 also has improved data visualisation and programming module usability. Command Queue (Q-mode in A3200) and Position/Speed/Torque control via analogue input have also been added and optimised.

“With Automation1 2.3, we provide the users of our positioning systems with  complete machine control for all components and thus go significantly further than conventional motion controls,” asserts Smith.

Linear motor stages in action

Several PRO-LM linear stages controlled by Automation1 will also be on display at our booth 347 in Hall 3.  The Aerotech PRO series stages are available either with direct drive by a linear motor or with a ball screw.

“Based on the set-up, we can demonstrate our extensive know-how in the design of these linear stages, including cable management,” explains Smith. “They are able to travel at high speeds with excellent speed control. It is true that not only the speed and positioning performance is a characteristic, but also the robustness.”

The sealed mechanical bearings also make the PRO-LM linear stages insensitive to any kind of contamination; they are equipped with a low-friction sealing system that substantially reduces the maintenance effort in industrial use.