Product category:
Drives, motors and power transmission, couplings, clutches
News Release from: SmartDrive | Subject: T-Series DSP stepper drive
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 19 February 2004
Ultra-smooth DSP stepper drive is
Eurocard format
A novel Eurocard implementation of an ultra-smooth DSP-based microstepping drive/controller has dedicated peripheral functions enabling precise control of motor current switching devices.
The new T-Series from SmartDrive is a unique Eurocard implementation of the company's Taranis ultra-smooth DSP-based microstepping drive/controller At the heart of the Taranis technology is a super-fast digital signal processor (DSP) with dedicated peripheral functions that enable direct precise control of the motor current switching devices
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 9 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The only microstepping drive in Eurocard format
SmartDrive's DM Series is now the only microstepping drive from a major manufacturer available in the Eurocard format
Microstepping drives supplied in Eurocard format
A range of half-stepping and microstepping drives based upon the popular 3U x 160mm Eurocard format are ideally suited to applications where extra smoothness and resolution are required.
The use of direct control, combined with adaptive mathematical modelling software, allows the winding current waveforms to be controlled very accurately, resulting in the elimination of most motor noise.
In addition, in enables extremely smooth motion to be achieved, with over three million steps per revolution, as well as adapting to any motor nonlinearities.
This level of control makes the T-Series particularly attractive in scientific applications, where such fine control is desirable but until now has been largely unachievable.
Further reading
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At Southern Manufacturing, a Eurocard implementation of the an ultra-smooth DSP-based microstepping drive/controller enables direct precise control of the motor current switching.
Hybrid stepper motors claimed to be smallest
Believed to be the world's smallest hybrid stepper motors - ultra-compact and lightweight - they measure only 20mm square and combine high torque with high-speed response.
3D models of off-the-shelf telescopic slides
Telescopic ball bearing slide designer and manufacturer, Accuride International, has produced optimised 3D models of its 'off-the-shelf' products which can be downloaded via its website.
The T-Series can be used in two fundamental modes: a step and direction slave mode which emulates a traditional microstepping drive and an intelligent controller/drive mode capable of self-contained operation without the need for a separate signal generation source.
Both implementations use a base microstepping resolution of 51,200 steps per revolution.
In slave mode, the T-Series Eurocard receives an external motion clock signal, but intelligently converts the input to ultra-smooth microstepping pulses.
This feature ensures smoothness and reduced noise, even if the input source is operating at lower resolutions - with full- or half-stepping frequency, for example.
Using the full potential of the internal Texas Instruments DSP system, the intelligent Eurocard becomes a stand-alone combined drive and controller, supported by a 130-keyword BASIC language, Flash memory, RS485 serial port and Windows-based development tools.
By utilising the serial port in multi-drop mode, it is possible to 'daisy chain' multiple Eurocards for multiple-axis applications.
Designed around advanced surface-mount technology, the compact (3U x l60mm Euromodule format) unit uses rugged MOSFET power stages and a compact high-efficiency heatsink to obtain continuous operation from the drive, with natural free-air convection cooling normally being sufficient.
A standard module width of 9HP allows as many as eight drives plus a power supply to be housed in one 19-inch wide rack.
Winding current can be easily set to match the motor characteristics to the load while the motor is running, either by a rotary switch on the front panel or a resistor connected to the drive backplane.
Five current ranges from 0.5 A to 16.5A are available.
In addition, the drive has a boost input which increases current output by 30%, a useful feature for providing rapid acceleration and one which can also be used continuously.
A feature known as comprehensive dynamic protection (CDP) monitors the drive's dynamic environment and reacts within 5microsec to protect the unit against all motor winding faults, including short-circuit to winding, short-circuit to ground and low-inductance winding.
In addition, there is protection against irregular motor supply voltage, low logic supply and overtemperature conditions.
Reliability is ensured by the use of conservatively rated components combined with thorough production testing of all units under simulated fault conditions and for correct thermal performance.
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