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COVER STORY

Two disciplines – one device The integration of a fail-safe motion control system, multi-axis drive control and powerful communication interfaces and technology I/Os in one device saves valuable control cabinet space and facilitates the implementation of particularly challenging machine concepts extremely efficiently – including modularisation and optimum scalability.

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he requirements for automation and drive technology in today’s production machines are demanding: In addition to the ‘classic’ control technology, they are predominantly equipped with a multitude of highly dynamic servo drives, which must be operated energyefficiently in perfect synchronisation with one another, by way of cam and gear synchronous operations, for example. Complementing the typical functions of a PLC (e.g. logic processing), elaborate motion control functions are crucial – such as for positioning, synchronism and cam discs, through to path interpolation with transformations for handlings kinematics. Technological I/Os are also required for position-related acquisition and issuing of binary signals. Flexible scalable solutions, which permit the simple implementation even of modular machine concepts, are essential for rapid reactions to changes in the market. Moreover, this includes integrated safety concepts as protection for the machine and personnel, powerful communication interfaces for the incorporation of drive, I/O and HMI systems, as well as integration in system networks, MES systems, and cloud services. In addition to classic PLCs and PCbased automation solutions, drive-based control platforms in particular have also established themselves for production machines which are reliant on motion control. The automation and drive

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drives to be operated directly at the controller. Should additional drives be required, the drive quantity structure can be expanded by way of Sinamics S120 Control Units (CU320-2) or Sinamics S210 single-axis AC/AC converter via Profinet, for example. Standardised data exchange via Profidrive also allows the integration of drives from other manufacturers. The Drive Controller is available in multiple versions for axis quantity structures of more than 100 axes. With the ‘cross-PLC synchronous operation’ function integrated in all S7-1500 technology CPUs, cam and gear synchronous operations are also possible across all CPUs, ensuring that the axis quantity structures are practically limitless. In addition to the performance distribution to multiple CPUs, the crossPLC synchronous operation also allows the uncomplicated implementation of modular automation concepts with ‘autonomous function units’. In order to consider the safety aspects of producing machines, safe monitoring of all movements is also possible.

technology of many production machines often have to make do with cramped recesses in the machine bed – therefore, particularly compact and space-saving control cabinet solutions are required. With the Simatic Drive Controller, Siemens AG has expanded the product portfolio of the Simatic S7-1500 Advanced Controller to include a drive-based version. The new controller optimises the integration of the Simatic S7-1500 control system and the Sinamics S120 drive system. It integrates motion Safely increase productivity control, technology, PLC and safety Intelligent safety concepts are not only functionalities directly in the modular and designed to protect personnel and highly dynamic multi-axis drive system machinery, they also form the basis for – without the need for any additional high machine throughput and minimal space for the control system in the control downtimes. cabinet. Danger zones can be protected by The integrated interfaces and safety light grids, for example, and drives technology I/Os are available in all operated safely by applying the Safe performance classes of the controller. Direction (SDI) function, where a danger This simplifies scaling based purely on zone can be made accessible to the performance and allows for efficient operator provided the machine moves in implementation of compact and modular automation and drive solutions. Engineering of the controller is performed via the TIA Portal with Simatic Step 7 and Sinamics Startdrive. The integrated drive control of the Drive Controller allows up to 6 servo, Control cabinets in the machine bed. Space-saving solutions for the 6 vector or 12 V/f control and drive technology are indispensable in this regard.

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Control Engineering Europe


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