As part of a comprehensive systems integration service, Mclennan designs, builds and supplies application customised stepper and servo motor-based motion systems that utilise the high-performance, EtherCAT® industrial Ethernet network. These systems typically harness EtherCAT´s exceptional axis and I/O synchronisation capability to realise easy-to-use multi-axis sub-systems that offer optimal accuracy, greater throughput, and lowered production and development costs. Mclennan works closely with distribution partners that have developed some of the industry´s most convincing EtherCAT motion controllers, stepper and servo motor drives, digital and analogue I/O modules and feedback devices. And, through its in-house design and build capability, Mclennan integrates these products with mechanical components such as actuators, gear units, and positioning stages etc. to provide complete, ready to install, motion-centric sub-systems. Application areas include packaging machinery, medical devices, pharmaceutical test and production equipment, scientific research and more.
The Flex-6-Nano from Mclennan´s distribution partner, Trio Motion, is a powerful integrated EtherCAT servo and stepper controller for exceptionally high-speed synchronised motion and machine control with cycle times as low as 125 microseconds. Its modular construction allows from 2 up to 64 motion axes and the din-rail mounted system also takes care of machine I/O and supplementary motion through Trio´s modular Flexslice 16 in/out digital, analogue and axis modules. The multitasking operating system includes setup and diagnostics from Trio´s Motion Perfect software with programming using the TrioBasic motion language or through IEC611-31. A comprehensive motion library includes electronic gearbox, axis interpolation, maths functions, robotic kinematic transformations and more.
Where open loop control is deemed satisfactory and EtherCAT is preferred, Mclennan can call upon solutions from its USA-based distribution partner AMP Inc. (Applied Motion Products). Its STF series microstepping, intelligent drives are available for up to 10A per phase with compatible stepper motors. A choice of Ethernet interfaces including EtherCAT allows streamed motion commands from the host controller. Alternatively, or in combination with the streamed commands, stored programs on the STF can called from a host-controller using daisy-chained, dual port communications to realise medium level multiple axis synchronisation. The panel mounted STF series also include a compliment of 8 digital inputs and 4 digital outputs to provide local control of machine functions.
Servo motor solutions from AMP include EtherCAT® communications options for its innovative SS series StepSERVO™ closed loop intelligent drives. AMP´s StepSERVO closed loop technology offers greater torque, acceleration, and throughput than traditional step motor systems. The SS-EC is a panel mounted drive with continuous output current of 3, 5 or 10 Amps and is supplied with a choice of 14 matched StepSERVO stepper motors from NEMA size 11 to 34. AMP´s SS-EC series drives support CANopen over EtherCAT (CoE) for tight axis synchronisation through CiA operating modes that include profile cyclic synchronous position and cyclic synchronous velocity, as well as profile velocity, torque and position.
Mclennan also has a distribution partnership and can also call on EtherCAT based drive technologies from the Danish motion control specialist JVL Industri Elektronik A/S. JVL´s integrated servomotor and stepper motor products are intelligent drives that combine motor, drive, and optional feedback as single housed packages complete with a motion controller, machine I/O and a power supply. These are fully decentralised drives that offer simplified installation with much reduced wiring. JVL´s Quickstep and ServoStep integrated stepper motors and MAC motor® series integrated servo motors are available with the CiA402 drive profile for its EtherCAT protocol option. This brings support for EtherCAT synchronized position (CSP) and synchronized velocity (CSV) modes which potentially means millisecond-level motion and machine synchronisation with extremely low jitter for demanding high-speed automation tasks. Other modes such as profile position, profile velocity and homing are also supported.
JVL´s MAC motor® integrated brushless servo motors are available for motor power to 13.5 kW peak, and its ServoStep integrated stepper motors cover torques to 25 Nm. The comprehensive range also includes the CiA402 drive profile for its EtherCAT protocol option and covers direct-on-line and DC powered variants and various protection ratings including IP55 to IP66, as well as stainless steel IP67 versions that perfectly suit food and medical industries.
Mclennan also works with the Leine & Linde, the Swedish manufacturer of advanced measuring systems. Its 600 and 900 series absolute encoders now include EtherCAT® communication options that are able to provide ultra-fast position read and processing values - with increments as short as 31.25 microseconds. These industrial grade encoders are characterised by their exceptional levels of durability, particularly suiting extreme environments where their resilience to high levels of shock and vibration as well as moisture and temperature extremes are well proven.
Mclennan works closely with its customers to bring competitive and effective solutions through a comprehensive in-house design and build capability. Mclennan provides stepper and servo motor and other motor technology-based automation solutions from single components to complete motion control systems with software, training, and on-site installation as part of a complete project fulfilment service.
