Trio’s Flex-7 motion controller (left) integrates with the company’s click-in Flexslice I/O modules, allowing machine-builders to add the functions they need
EXCLUSIVE: At the SPS show in Germany in November, UK-based Trio Motion Technology will be unveiling a machine controller designed to control up to 128 servodrive and robot axes via high-speed EtherCat. The Flex-7 flexible machine controller coordinates high-axis counts precisely, while optimising control and integration with wider automation systems. It aimed at large manufacturing, packaging and material-handling applications. high torque servo
The four-core controller increases machine automation capabilities by expanding network connectivity and data processing power. It has dedicated cores for high-performance communications and motion.
The controller uses high-speed Ethernet to give fast, reliable data exchange, optimising communications with wider controllers and networks. It does this via two 1Gbps Ethernet ports that are compatible with industrial Ethernet protocols such as Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP. It can control a variety of EtherCat devices, including servodrives and I/O.
The Flex-7 achieves EtherCat update rates as fast as 125µs for up to eight axes. The full 128 axes can be coordinated with update rates as low as 4ms. The controller achieves jitter values of less than 5µs, ensuring consistent synchronisation for large machines,
The DIN-rail-mounting controller is 51mm wide, 147mm high and 107mm deep. Machine control functions can be added using Trio’s click-in Flexslice I/O modules that communicate via EtherCat. The I/O slices allow machine-builders to add functions, while saving space and costs.
The motion synchronisation capability is powered by Trio’s Motion-iX motion engine, which is based on a command set for servo and robot axes, including multi-axis coordination in multiple dimensions, as well as numerous kinematic models for robotics. The motion engine is accessed via Trio’s Motion Perfect software, and programming can be done using Trio Basic – which is designed to speed up development through its English language-based approach – as well as PLCopen, and IEC languages including ST and LD.
The Motion Perfect software allows fast set-up of servodrives and robots, and is also the centre of machine control integration, providing easy management of peripheral devices and network connections. Trio also offers machine-builders turnkey automation systems that can include HMIs and Scara robots.
“Trio’s machine control approach provides machine-builders with a motion-first automation solution,” says the company’s president, Tom Alexander. “The Flex-7 extends this capability to builders of high-axis-count machines, giving them flexibility over machine control functionality, together with fast, powerful data processing and communications.
“To create Flex-7, we’ve built on the popularity of Trio’s pocket-sized, flexible controllers by extending motion coordination up to 128 axes and boosting processing power to enhance machine control,” he adds. “Supported by Trio’s extensive motion library, the new Flex-7 will enable machine-builders to quickly develop large, motion-first machines, with the machine control integration of their choice.”
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