ACS Motion Control has strengthened its line of EtherCAT network products with the development of a dual/quad axis pulse/direction drive interface module (PDICL) that delivers a closed loop motion control system for stepper (or servo) motor drives with an incremental or absolute digital encoder feedback device. Â
Designed to help upgrade the performance of systems utilizing less sophisticated motion control technology without having to redesign the entire system, the PDICL supports up to four axes with up to four digital encoders (incremental or absolute) - at a maximum speed of 50 million counts per second.
At only 121mm x100mm x48mm, the compact PDICL high-performance interface is ideal for OEMs of multi-axis machinery that use an ACS EtherCAT master and need to control additional axes using third party drives with P/D interface. The PDICL is also well suited for PC based controllers (SPiiPlusSC) using simple motor drives with P/D interface.
The PDICL dual/quad axis pulse/direction interface slave module operates under any ACS EtherCAT master, acting as an EtherCAT node. A comprehensive set of software support tools - MMI application studio is offered for module configuration, setup and tuning.
“Using digital encoder feedback, the PDICL turns simplistic stepper motor drives into more intelligent motion systems capable of more accurate and precise motion control." said Jason Goerges, ACS Inc. GM.  “This expansion of ACS’s EtherCAT product offering provides customers with even more design flexibility, functionality and capability at a lower cost compared to other technologies.”
The PDICL dual/quad axis pulse/direction interface is the newest addition to ACS’ broad selection of EtherCAT motion control devices.  Shipments are available in August 2014.
>> For more information about the PDICL drives, click
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