Distributed Electronics: Scalability Starting from a Single Element

Systems with distributed drives meet the requirements for greater flexibility and simplification, increasingly demanded by users of automation solutions. AMK, distributed in Italy by Servotecnica, has been a pioneer in the field of decentralized architectures: this translates into a broad portfolio of decentralized “field” products.

The market for machine manufacturers requires very fast reaction times and increasing competitiveness leads customers and their needs to constantly evolve. It is therefore essential to provide the user with greater flexibility and, at the same time, to simplify the systems.
Guaranteeing this type of output to automation solutions, and their components, requires high standards, which must be designed with the same flexibility and consistency as the machine containing them. Systems with distributed drives and strategies based on these platforms meet these requirements.

Decentralized controller: the basis for complex motion functions

AMK, distributed in Italy by Servotecnica, has been a pioneer with decentralized architecture. Today, this translates into a broad portfolio of decentralized “field” products, allowing OEMs to choose from a wide range of distributed solutions, enabling them to provide complete, scalable solutions: from controllers/PLCs, to decentralized drives, to integrated servomotor + drive units, and all this in a wide power and size range. Here are a few examples.
In addition to the motion control/PLC functions, the decentralised iSA controller with IP65 protection also offers an integrated power supply designed to deliver 5 kW of power and requires only 3×400 Vac to generate the DC BUS dedicated to powering the servo drives.
Applications with up to 36 drives have already been implemented with the iSA controller (EtherCAT master) which can also be used as gateway for Ethernet/IP, ProfiNET and EtherCAT slave. Thanks to its computing power, the iSA Controller/PLC forms the basis for complex motion functions and multi-axis PLC/MOTION projects.

Decentralized drive: ideal for moving machine modules

The iX series decentralized drive is available with IP65 protection and delivers continuous power up to 5 kVA (8.2 Amp continuous power and 16.4 Amp peak current). If decentralised drives are installed in a machine module and with other modules they make up a complete production line, the wiring architecture also changes: the motor cables (power and encoder) no longer have to be routed from the control cabinet to the servomotor while the power supply cables and real-time Ethernet cables run from the power supply to the first drive and then to the next.
The advantage of this type of wiring with “daisy chain” connection is particularly evident on moving machine modules or on rotary tables where several drives are installed, reducing the cable chain to the power supply line only. Another significant advantage of daisy chain cabling is the connection of all drives to the same DC BUS. In this mode, the energy required and the energy regenerated in the different operating phases balance each other out, allowing optimal use of the energy.

Servo controller integrated in the motor:reliability even in hostile environments

Servomotors with integrated drive offer the greatest potential for savings as they also eliminate power cables to the motor and encoder.
The drive solutions integrated in the motor are available with various flange sizes, from 55 (ihXT series) to 100 mm (iDT5 series), each with different lengths. These decentralized systems offer excellent reliability results even in adverse environments and heavy-duty applications thanks to their high shock and vibration resistance and IP65 protection level. As far as safety functions are concerned, the STO function is integrated as standard, while other safety functions such as SS1 and SS2 may be implemented via FSoE.