April 2020

Expanding communication options As factories become increasingly intelligent, connected systems and a factory-wide communications systems create a‘smart’ environment. Today’s sophisticated production lines incorporate a mix of technologies to achieve the various complex, rapidmovements that are executed in the automated processes of numerous industries. Communications protocols are extremely important in todays’sophisticated, high end automation systems. There are many communications protocols, each with their own strengths and special features, but there are few that are dominant in the field of motor control products. The AZ Series has been acknowledged as a leading closed loop stepper motor and was offered with a selection of communications protocols, namely CANOpen, Modbus RTU, Mechatrolink 2 and Mechatrolink 3. Whether a product is compatible with a particular comms protocol can be a key factor in selection and purchasing decisions. In many cases, having a leading protocol can be a deal maker. While an excellent motor design specification may win over the mechanical design team, without ‘the right’ protocol (i.e. one that the electrical and comms teams has used and in which the company has invested) may mean having to forego the first choice for another mechanical option which has the ‘right’ comms protocol. To address this, Oriental Motor’s flagship, the AZ Series closed loop stepper motor range, has been further enhanced with EtherCAT and Ethernet IP drivers for an even broader selection of communications protocols for the smart, connected factory. EtherCAT-compatible The EtherCAT protocol is widely used in automation, and is particularly valuable in multi-axis systems. It is particularly well- suited to multi-axis machines where several axes interact, requiring true linear interpolation. Oriental Motor has released a range of EtherCAT-compatible multi-axis drivers for the high performance AZ Series to support EtherCAT communication. Two-axis, three- axis and four-axis driver connection models are available for connection to the AZ Series DC input stepper motors and electric actuators. The 24/48VDC drivers are compatible with the C1A402 drive profile. Ethernet IP Another significant protocol is Ethernet IP. The AZ Series Ethernet IP-compatible drivers ensure that this widely used communications protocol is supported for a battery-free, absolute mechanical sensor motor and driver combination. They are for use with all Oriental Motor AZ Series motors as well as with linear and rotary actuators, equipped with the AZ Series. To ensure safe operation, the drivers integrate many protective and monitoring functions, such as temperature, torque, operating speed and current monitoring, protective thermal cutout and emergency stop with electric torque-off functions. Single-phase 100-120VAC and single- phase/three-phase 200-140VAC versions are available. They are for use with all AC input AZ Series motors and actuators. The addition of these two protocols extends the communications functionality available with the AZ Series of stepper motors and enables the use of the efficient AZ Series in new and emerging sectors. The AZ Series has been recognised as a superb product which can offer high performance, efficiency, reliability and value for money, and now, with the addition of EtherCAT and Ethernet IP support, communications barriers have been broken down to ensure that the AZ Series can be used by a wider range of manufacturers. In addition to the versatility, reliability and value for money in the connected factory of today and the smart factory of tomorrow, the AZ Series is supported by the service for which Oriental Motor is well-known. Lead times are short – just three days for stock items and only 12 days for made-to-order items. Additionally, the company is renowned for its flexible response and customer support. Oriental Motor is the oldest motor manufacturer in Japan. The company manufactures a wide range of motors and is a specialist in high quality stepper motors. Its broad portfolio includes AC induction motors, brushless DC motors, classic stepper and advanced stepper motors, servo motors, a wide variety of linear and rotary actuators and a selection of industrial fans. It has been a major player in the European motor manufacturing industry since 1982 and has been a source of high quality Japanese motors in the UK since 1996. For more information, visit www.oriental-motor.co.uk info@oriental-motor.co.uk 01256 347 090 Figure 2:The AZ Series can outperform servo motors inmany applications Figure 3: Support for EtherCAT increases the AZ Series’ opportunities inmulti-axis systems