Automata GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) - Stepper motors are ideal for cost-effective implementation of positioning axis. With the SMC3 stepper motor control, such functions can now be quickly and easily integrated in Sercos® or EtherCAT real-time Ethernet networks. Thanks to the SMC3 positioning mode, the necessary programming effort is very low.

The stepper motor control supports different operating modes and is thus suitable for most different applications. In positioning mode the controller (PLC/CNC) just has to set a target position. This position is then approached with programmable velocity and acceleration values autonomously by the SMC3. In addition cyclic velocity and position set values are supported. The user can choose between different configurable autonomous homing modes. All operation modes can be used both with a connected incremental encoder (closed loop) and without (open loop).



The onboard I/Os (4 digital outputs, 4 digital inputs and an incremental encoder interface) allow the realization of a complete positioning axis with enable and status signals as well as inputs for limit and homing switches. Alternatively, the digital I/Os can be used as position switches, cam switches or as touch probe inputs. The I/O function required by the application can be freely assigned and configured by the user.

The stepper motor interface is designed for 2-phase motors with up to 256 micro steps at max. 6A current per phase and 48VDC motor supply.

Both available device variants with Sercos or EtherCAT interface, support the protocol-specific drive profiles (FSP-Drive or DS-402). In this way, the SMC3 stepper motor control is ideal as an inexpensive and compact alternative to servo drives. Thanks to the high degree of standardization of these profiles, for cost optimization of already existing applications expensive servo drives can be replaced easily by the SMC3.

About CANNON-Automata:
Automata is a member of the CANNON-Group. We are a global manufacturer of automation equipment with development and production facilities in Germany and Italy as well as service offices in China and Brazil. Our portfolio includes controls, Industrial PCs, operator panels and hard- and software components for Ethernet based communication in industrial environment. We supply medium sizes machine building companies with our customised automation systems and count well-known manufactures of controllers, I/O-Systems, drives and other automation devices as our customers. As a market leader we offer basic technologies for Ethernet-based real time communication. We support our OEM customers in their complete product cycle including the concept, the implementation and the manufacturing of communication modules or complete devices.

Our proven standard products combined with our strong customer orientation and our know-how in years of developing customer specific solutions gives us the possibility to react quickly to market needs. Thus we achieve maximum flexibility and highest efficiency for our customers.