Precise dip coating.

With its own in-house motion system design and integration service, and distribution partnerships with globally leading motion control component suppliers, Heason Technology has the capability and a strong reputation for application customised motion control solutions. Typically including precision-grade positioning mechanics and advanced motion control hardware and software, these bespoke systems often provide an important part of the enabling technology for innovative manufacturing or research processes. With the positioning system requirements fulfilled by Heason, the customer can apply its own technological expertise, safe in the knowledge that motion control will not be a limiting factor to project success.

Schematic of the dip coating process components

A recent example where Heason’s motion expertise played a significant role in a manufacturing project involved the design and supply of a single-axis servo motor driven actuator and control system for a novel thin-film dip coating process. The positioning system required ultra-precise speed control for the withdrawal cycle of a large, heavy and irregular shaped component to ensure a highly uniform and precise coating thickness. The components’ asymmetrically distributed mass and dimensions combined with the buoyancy effect of the coating fluid caused a load variation that would result in a significant series of stepped fluctuations in the reflected inertia seen at the motor as the product was vertically retracted from the coating bath. This load variation was a challenging factor for the low-speed control required for the process.

The customer specified a stand-alone system where an operator could simply program the actuator to a load position and adjust the dipping and retraction speed with recordable values to maintain a consistent and repeatable coating thickness over the process. Heason delivered a 700 mm stroke length actuator driven by a servo motor fitted with an absolute encoder for precise closed loop speed and position control from a servo drive. The speed control parameters were programmed between the servo drive and an HMI to complete the autonomous system. The servo drive chain included a planetary reduction gearbox to achieve the low speed required and a holding brake ensured safety for the vertically mounted system.

The specific choice of components for the stand-alone system fell to a PC32 series actuator from Thomson, a leading linear motion component manufacturer and a valued partner for Heason over several years. Its PC32 series features a smooth IP65 rated aluminium housing protecting a precision ball screw whilst a stainless-steel extension tube and rod adapter perfectly suit the environment and load mounting arrangement for the dip-coating process. A 7:1 ratio precision grade planetary gearbox, also from Thomson, is included to reduce the linear speed within the set range as well as help smooth speed fluctuations by reducing the effect of reflected motor inertia due to the irregular load distribution of the component during the process.

The actuator assembly is driven by a Kollmorgen AKM21E servo motor complete with integral holding brake and absolute multi-turn encoder. Heason enjoys a long-term distribution partnership and several years’ experience with Kollmorgen, as a British certified partner and silver-status supplier for its industrial automation systems, servo motors and drives. With precise servo control from the AKD BASIC series servo drive through its built-in BASIC programmable motion and machine software, the digital drives’ ultra-fast 62.5 microsecond servo update rate constantly maintains the exact desired motor speed despite the torque variation due to the irregular load. The AK12G series 7” HMI touchscreen, programmed with Kollmorgen Visualization Builder software allows full stand-alone operator control of the coating process. As an absolute encoder is used for servo feedback, homing the actuator to a loading position is a simple command. The operator then enters a retraction speed value into the graphic panel and a sequence is called from the intelligent servo drive delivering and retracting the component at the desired speed.

Heason provided the complete system pre-programmed and fully operational based on the speed range and speed tolerance specifications supplied for the dip coated component following extensive in-house testing before delivery to the customer. The motion system was supplied with operation manuals and servicing information.

@mepaxIntPR @heasonmotion @AboutKollmorgen #PAuto #Motion

Increased flexibility for motion system integration.

Two new integrated stepper motor lines from Novanta IMS (formerly Schneider Electric Motion) have been added to Heason Technology's  product portfolio - expanding its motion system integration capability towards lower cost projects where performance requirements do not warrant highly specified servomotor-based motion system. The Liberty MDrive and MDrive Plus all-in-one motion solutions variously cover NEMA 14 to 34 frame stepper motors with integral microstepping drives, motion controls, I/O as well as Ethernet and CANopen protocols packaged in IP20 to IP65 protected housings. With optional encoder feedback, the choice of open or closed loop operation further maximises application flexibility.

Competitively priced and easy to integrate into automated positioning systems, these compact, decentralised drives simplify machine design – benefitting from reduced wiring and reduced EMC whilst removing the need to accommodate drive electronics in control panels.

The Liberty MDrive and MDrive Plus series drives are programmable with Novanta IMS’s Mcode software through an RS-422/485 interface. Mcode includes logic, branching, trip and maths functions for comprehensive machine control. Both drive series also feature, CANopen to CiA DS301 and DSP402 with pre-programmed sequences called across multi-axis set-ups. They can also be set-up for simple position control using step/direction pulses from an external control source or operated in a speed control mode. A complement of eight I/Os are configurable for standard or high-speed performance, for example for fast registration on labelling machines or on-the-fly position synchronisation. Both drive series’ feature IP20 rated pluggable and colour coded connectors, or optionally with industry standard M12 circular connectors rated for IP65 protection levels. Specifically, the MDrive Plus is aimed at open loop motion tasks and, with a slightly smaller housing, suits applications where machine space is at a premium. The MDrive Plus’s application flexibility includes an input power requirement that ranges from +12 up to +75 VDC as well as direct-on-line 120 to 240 VAC.

The more sophisticated control capability of the Liberty MDrive offers exceptional performance and smoothness and is essentially aimed at Ethernet controlled system set-ups with a choice of EtherNet/IP, Profinet, ModbusTCP protocols. Automation libraries including networking add-on instructions are available for Rockwell RSLogix 5000, Siemens S7 and Novanta IMS’s own (SoMachine and SoMachine Motion series PLC and PAC systems. With a choice of open loop or closed loop operation - with optional incremental or multi-turn absolute encoders - the drive offers a wide application flexibility. Closed loop versions can also be equipped with Novanta IMS’s advanced hMT hardware control system which significantly increases the torque and positioning capability of the motor towards full servo performance, and also offers an advanced current control feature that includes programmable motor run and hold current. With an integral auxiliary logic power supply input and a power requirement range from +12 up to +70 VDC, the drive can be applied to battery operated applications with hMT configured to maximise efficiency with variable current controls available to save energy and reduce heating.

Heason Technology has already integrated these drives into various custom designed positioning systems. This includes Pharmweigh’s Draft Master automatic livestock drafting machine which includes four MDrive Plus integrated drives programmed and configured with Heason supplied gearboxes to operate belt driven gates during animal weighing and sorting.

This machine is operated in the harsh outdoor conditions faced in agriculture and has been well proven in extensive trials and is now in use on British and European farms. The new competitively priced drives will also, for example, suit integration with Heason’s range of electric actuators from its distribution partner Thomson Electric. The assembly would provide a complete yet simple positioning solution where a separate control panel is not required, and low voltage 24/48 V DC operation opens the market for portable machinery and equipment.

@heasonmotion @NovantaIMS @mepaxIntPR #PAuto 

SIL tool for intelligent servo drives.

Elmo Motion Control’s Platinum series advanced servo drives feature EtherCAT™ networking for ultra-fast machine synchronised single and multi-axis motion, and industry leading levels of functional safety. These impressive drives are now available with Elmo’s free-to-use Motion Composer2 tool allowing machine designers to easily develop, test and implement user-specific motion and machine control algorithms as drive level SIL (Software in the Loop) commands. 

Elmo Motion’s Platinum series advanced servo drives – available with Servo in the Loop (SIL) from Heason* technology 

Integrated as a module within MathWorks® Simulink® Real Time Workshop, Motion Composer2 features an assortment of servo performance, motion profiling, communications, and robot kinematics-based library blocks that are assembled, cross-compiled and downloaded to the Platinum drive. Enabling rapid time to market with fast performance-optimised algorithm development, individual library blocks are easily modified with comprehensive evaluation and system level simulation aided by ELMO’s EASII Application Studio.

The integration with the Real Time Workshop allows access to measurement devices such as inertial sensors, gyros and IMUs as well as a host of machine control I/O devices, hardware components, and sub-systems from a wide range of manufacturers. Users can develop their preferred communication protocols over serial links in real-time and kinematic transformations are easily designed and implemented.

This series covers four intelligent drive designs with single-axis as well as 4-axis servo capability. Through the range, typical continuous power levels to 2 kW and qualitative power levels to 5.0 kW are available (up to 22 kW coming soon). All Platinum series drives feature industry leading processing capability channelled through EtherCAT with cycling down to 100 microseconds. These impressive cycling rates provide the basis for unparalleled motion synchronisation and the potential for Software in the Loop processing provides a platform for extremely demanding high speed and high throughput motion-centric automation applications across industry, research, and defence. As well as their SIL capability, Platinum series drives also offer comprehensive functional Safety and FSoE certification. For straightforward application development, ELMO’s EASII Application Studio software also manages EtherCAT configuration, motion configuration, drive tuning, parameter recording, monitoring, and much more.

*With several years’ experience with Elmo Motion and supported by its own in-house design and build capability, the British distribution partner Heason supplies and supports Elmo’s full range of servo drives and controls as separate motion components or as part of custom-designed motion systems complete with positioning and drive transmission mechanics.

@heasonmotion @ElmoMotionContr #Pauto #Transportation

Weighing livestock and agricultural produce.

Pharmweigh load bars - portable weighing systems for all types of livestock, as well as feed mills and bagging etc. - are highly regarded for their exceptionally long life and high reliability. The same highly robust load-cell technology is widely adapted across many of the company's products which include drafting crates and platforms equipped with weighing scales, indicators, electronic ID and livestock auto markers.

The latest innovation, the Draft Master Auto Drafter, is a sheep and pig weighing and drafting (sorting) crate that includes a 4-axis motion control system from Heason Technology to enable automated 3-way gate operation. With successful project funding through Britain's DTI/EEDA SMART and Micro Project Development Award schemes, the portable and compact Draft Master is DC powered from electric bike-style batteries - and with autonomous operation can weigh, identify, and draft up to 600 lambs per hour by weight, daily liveweight gains or EID look up, as well as transmit recorded information to third party management apps.

The essential specifications for the development of the Draft Master called for a motion control system that maintained the long working life and high reliability reputation that Pharmweigh has cultivated over several decades. As well the efficiency under battery operation and quiet operation, safety features to ensure that the gates would retract under any resistance caused by jamming were also significant requirements. Pharmweigh’s own expertise in electronic controls for load cell-based weighing, RFID identification, grading and data export would stand them in good stead for the overall control system and Heason’s proficiency in motion control would provide the essential technology and programming skills for a standalone motion control sub-system for gate operation.

Consideration for the most economical, portable, and robust motor technology centred on Lexium MDrive integrated stepper motors from Heason’s distribution partner Schneider Electric Motion (Now Novanta IMS). Bringing together stepper motors and integral microstepping drives plus an on-board programmable motion controller in a single package, the compact all-in-one MDrive was specified with options including an incremental magnetic encoder and packaging in an environmentally sealed housing with IP65 rated protection.

Selecting the RS-422/485 communication protocol version Heason programmed the NEMA 23 frame sized MDrives using Schneider’s Mcode script with the individual move parameters for operating the entry gate and the three exit gates. The intelligent drives’ software capability includes logic, branching, trip and maths functions, and in combination with its complement of on-board I/O various memory-stored move sequences are called by Pharmweigh’s host controller and coordinated with the weighing and RFID identification sequences. The control system also extends to an optional semi-automatic mode for grading and handling livestock using a smartphone or tablet.

As well as provide a precise datum reference for axis homing on set-up, the MDrive’s incremental encoder option enables the use of Schneider’s hMT closed loop control algorithm which accurately tracks and compares the encoder feedback position with the commanded motor position, correcting any loss of synchronisation. In addition, to further ensure operational safety, drive current sensing is used to detect and remove gate jams by branching to a sub-routine that immediately reverses the gate direction. The choice of a magnetic encoder, rather than a more fragile optical encoder, was an important factor for the durability of the motion system. And to ensure use in all weather conditions the IP65 rated version of the MDrive includes fully sealed M12 connector sets. With programmable motor resolution up to 51,200 steps per rev and encoder resolution of 4000 counts per rev, the MDrive exceeded the accuracy the application called for.

Without the need for a separate drive cabinet, the integrated and intelligent Lexium MDrive minimises the wiring effort required, simplifies maintenance, and helps reduce overall installation costs. Furthermore, their compact size was an important factor to maintain the desired dimensions of the drafting crate which is the same size as Pharmweigh’s industry-standard manual version. The MDrive’s quiet operational characteristics ensure calmness during the weighing process and their high efficiency and low power consumption meets the Draft Master’s battery powered throughput capability.

Schneider’s Lexium MDrive is also available in NEMA 17 and 34 frame sizes in a wide choice of stack length/power output ratings. In addition to the RS422/485 comms version used, other options include Ethernet for EtherNet/IP, Profinet, and ModbusTCP as well as CANopen. To facilitate flexible use across all types of motion applications, industries and environments, the comprehensive range of options and accessories include absolute encoders, high torque versions with 50% additional motor power, IP20 or IP65 protection and a wide choice of cordsets.

The development programme for the Draft Master ran during the Covid lockdowns and, despite the inconvenience of that period, successful field trials are now complete and the product is now fully launched.

@heasonmotion @pharmweigh @NovantaIMS @mepaxintpr #Agriculture #Weighing #Pauto

Electric actuators for high duty in Britain.

The recently announced Thomson Industries' Electrak® LL actuator series is available in Britain from the authorised distributor, Heason Technology. 

It builds upon the well-proven Electrak range with a high-performance and high-efficiency brushless motor and integral electronics that eliminates the need for standalone control. The IP66 harsh environment rated actuator perfectly suits mobile battery powered end-to-end positioning tasks especially where high duty-cycle use prevails. As a compelling and cost-effective alternative to fluid-power cylinders, the Electrak LL series impresses for positioning and lifting applications used on mobile machinery, door, gate and hatch controls, pick & place and materials handling equipment. 

The Electrak LL complies to the railway standards EN 50155, EN 60077 and EN 4554.

@heasonmotion @Thomson_Ind#Pauto #Transportation #Britain

Temperature monitoring, protection and sensing specialist acquired.

Variohm Holdings, part of the discoverIE Group plc, has advanced its strategic plans to expand both product portfolio and manufacturing competency with the acquisition of the German/Hungarian temperature control component manufacturer Limitor Solutions GmbH. With its main 2.700 m2 manufacturing site based in Pecs - Hungary and headquarters and warehousing facilities in Urbach near Stuttgart (D), Limitor Solutions has a fifty year history as a leading manufacturer of temperature based component technologies for thermal protection, regulation, switching and sensing as well as temperature timers, fuses and controllers.

Udo Angermaier, managing director of Limitor Solutions GmbH looks forward to the acquisition’s opportunities. “We are most excited to join Variohm Holdings, to work with the other members and enjoy the benefits of our combined forces and the capability for significant growth.” 

With a customer list that spans global electronics manufacturers such as AEG, Siemens, Kärcher and Philips, Limitor Solution’s temperature monitors, temperature limiters, thermal switches, controllers, temperature fuses and timers find wide use in electric motors and associated drives, inverters and generators, transformers, domestic and DIY appliances, as well as automotive, medical, scientific and industrial control equipment. The Company also manufactures other electrical and electronic components such as cable harnesses and power cables, printed circuit boards, pumps and other components for customers and its many commercial partners.

Limitor Solutions’ core technologies and comprehensive manufacturing capabilities extend to an extensive design and automated production capability throughout its product range. Manufacturing is supported with component assembly equipment, automated welding and soldering machinery, plastic moulding and encapsulating machinery, marking and printing equipment. Fully supported by 100 employees with highly trained, qualified and experienced sales, production and quality control teams, the Company has certification for ISO 9001:2015 quality management as well as ISO 14001:2015 environmental management approval.

Over the past few months and during these most difficult times the Variohm Holdings has purchased Phoenix America - the leading USA based magnetic encoder and magnetic sensor solutions specialist - as well as the present acquisition of Limitor Solutions. 

These new additions join the other Variohm Holdings’ members including 

• Variohm EuroSensor (sensor and transducer supplier and manufacturer), 
• Herga Technology (switching and sensing solutions), 
• Ixthus Instrumentation (specialist measurement systems), 
• Heason Technology (motion control components and systems) and 
• Positek Limited (specialised linear and rotary voltage displacement sensor technologies).

Variohm Holdings’ managing director, Graham Pattison, acknowledges discoverIE’s support and vision for the substantial potential in manufacturing capability and sales growth this latest acquisition brings. “This latest purchase demonstrates discoverIE’s belief in Variohm Holdings, providing even more synergy and paving the way for an increasingly compelling offer to our valued customers”.

@Variohm #PAuto #Components 

Motion in waste recycling!

Waste recycling industries are increasingly look towards technology to improve efficiency and productivity. Many are turning to motion control as part of automation systems that improve throughput and optimise processing quality. With the already ubiquitous use of sophisticated automated systems in large-scale industrial waste processing plants where significant improvements continue to be made possible, manufacturers of special purpose equipment are turning to problem solving for smaller food waste, general waste recycling and materials recovery requirements that are found, for instance, in industrial kitchens, restaurant groups, food outlet chains, supermarkets and logistics companies.

These application areas, just like their large scale counterparts, are characterised by the need to efficiently process waste material with minimal costs and maximum efficiency. By transferring the processing and materials recovery of bulk waste to outside contractors, in the form of foodstuffs, packaging materials and waste material from manufacturing processes etc., their costs are potentially much higher than in-house ‘vertically integrated’ waste processing using specialised equipment that now increasingly serves these industries.

For food waste processing, smaller scale macerators remove liquid through centrifugal action with grey water directed to normal drainage systems. Dried solid waste can then be processed in further operations. More sophisticated food waste processing equipment can include compactors to compress food waste with the ability to not only remove water but also separate oils and yield the waste as a dry fibre suitable for biomass – these machines can provide significant ROI, not just in reclaimed costs for the re-use of the material and reduced outside contracting costs but also transport, labour and storage costs - as well as saving the environmental kudos.

Heason Technology can supply high-torque servo motor driven rotary actuators with for this type of equipment where torque control and rapid profile-controlled acceleration can deliver the precisely controlled high forces that improve process results and throughput times. Where machine size and its footprint are important considerations the higher power and torque ratios of these geared servo motors will realise a more compact machine design. Furthermore, the possibility of intelligent controls can bring additional benefits in machine operation, scalability and processing flexibility.
Compacting waste such as cardboard and packaging materials reduces volume and assists with disposal or material recovery processing – and is also made more efficient and productive with motion control. By compressing materials in machines fitted with competitively priced electric actuators driven by geared motors, high performance and high efficiency processing is possible for machines of all sizes. As opposed to machinery using hydraulic actuators, the processing remains clean and ultimately more controllable with the added benefit of quieter operation. The machines that fulfil these tasks include various sized equipment that can compact product into bin bags or wheelie bins, or for larger operations can include bailing for ease or transportation for other processes.

The company works closely with its customers across many industrial and research areas where its motion control components and sub-systems play important enabling functions for manufacturing machinery, test equipment and where other demanding high precision positioning tasks are vital. With a large product range encompassing mechanical and electrical/electronic components as well as motion control and industrial automation software from global distribution partners, Heason’s system integration expertise brings these component parts together with its own in-house design and build capability to deliver complete motion controlled sub-systems. Such systems include single and multi-axis motion controls, servo or stepper motors and complementary drive technology with both standard and Heason designed customised positioning mechanics. Application areas include but are not restricted to aerospace & defence, printing & packaging, medical & laboratory automation, research & development, motorsports and industrial automation.

#PAuto #mepax @heasonmotion  

Linear actuators.

With the recently announced increase in maximum dynamic load from 10 kN to 16 kN for stroke lengths to 500 mm, and with static loads to 18 kN, Thomson’s Electrak® HD series linear actuators are now an even more compelling alternative to hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders for positioning tasks on heavy-duty machinery and equipment.

Available in Britain, with full support from Heason Technology, the Electrak HD range covers six load-rated models with stroke lengths from 100 mm to 1 metre (in 50 mm increments). With 12 or 24 VDC operation, a wide choice of built-in control options include J1939 CANbus, open or closed loop positioning, analogue and digital position output, axis synchronisation and PLC compatibility. These combine with a comprehensive choice of mechanical interfacing options to make application integration and operation straightforward.

The Electrak HD series has a smaller footprint, requires much less maintenance and is a much cleaner solution than hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder alternatives. In addition, its superior controllability offers easier integration with modern computer controlled systems and more precise positioning control.

The actuators also offer a durability that will suit the harshest environments, with IP67 rating for static use and IP66 for dynamic positioning as standard. An IP69K version is available for the food industry and other automation tasks where frequent washdown is required. The Electrak HD series will operate at high loads in temperatures ranging from -40 to +85 °C. For maximum loads, a generous 25% duty cycle ensures operation for demanding high-throughput positioning tasks.

Safety is available via thermal and voltage or current load protection with end-of-stroke limit switches, manual (mechanical) override and integrated motor-brake for complete safeguarding.

The robust Electrak HD design is well proven in a wide range of applications in automotive, agricultural and construction equipment where the industry standard J1939 CANbus control network is well established. A high-efficiency ball screw system with parallel mounted motor and gear components are housed in a robust hard-coat anodised aluminium housing. Internally the motor and gear unit are housed in a zinc frame providing extra protection. The stainless steel anti-rotation extension tube is fully sealed inside the housing and a wide choice of mechanical interfacing options include rod-end and threaded adapters for straightforward mounting.

#PAuto @heasonmotion @Thomson_Ind

Pan and tilt positioners.

One of the many capabilities of systems integrator, SystemWare Europe, involves the supply and comprehensive support of line of sight/beyond line of sight secure communications requiring the integration of innovative antenna systems with highly accurate directional azimuth/elevation positioning equipment.

Evolving requirements and a need for newer modular technology, SystemWare Europe turned to motion specialist Heason Technology to design and develop a high-performance custom-designed pan & tilt positioner solution which was optimised for its own use

Following a detailed requirement analysis and prototyping phase, Heason’s motion engineering team presented a new bespoke positioning platform complete with integral motion controls which enabled SystemWare to enhance its product offering with an improved and cost-effective solution.

The Atlas Platform is a durable and high-load capacity pan & tilt positioner housed in a robust IP67- rated cast aluminium environmental enclosure that suits harsh environment fixed or mobile installation. The dual axis drive system features micro-stepped hybrid stepper motors driving single stage, zero backlash gear systems. Its unique high reduction ratio gear configuration and rotary joint allows RF and electrical services to pass through the centre of the continuously rotating azimuth platform transmission to provide power, IO, RF and Ethernet communications for the assembly and its payload sensor. The elevation axis has a travel range +/- 95⁰, and both axes include high resolution absolute encoder technology directly at the output stage to provide highly repeatable angular performance capability with instant power-on awareness without datum routines.

With on-board intelligent micro-stepping drive modules providing full closed-loop position control and high bandwidth communication, the Atlas Platform’s peak torque capacity of over 270 Nm will precisely and rapidly position demanding payloads for a wide range of applications.

Heason Technology will manufacture the Atlas Platform on an exclusive basis for SystemWare Europe. This application demonstrates the West Sussex based motion systems integrator’s expertise in the design and build of mechatronic motion control sub-assemblies as part of the enabling technology for aerospace & defence, security, medical, scientific, and industrial automation markets. In addition to a full motion component supply service, Heason Technology combines motion control components and systems from a select number of globally recognised supplier partnerships with its own in-house design and build service.

With over 30 years of motion control experience and engineer-to-engineer sales & technical support from the first enquiry through the full product or motion system lifecycle, Heason’s product range includes servo and stepper motor drives and motion controls with ceramic, direct drive and traditional motor technologies, precision gear units, precision linear and rotary positioning stages, linear and rotary encoders, rotary actuators and slip ring assemblies.

@heasonmotion #PAuto @Sysware_Europe

Multi-axis network motion controllers.

Elmo Motion’s Platinum Maestro is a certified EtherCAT and CANopen network motion controller that offers exceptional levels of multi-axis machine performance. Available with full technical support in Britain from Heason Technology –  their distribution and systems integration partner there – the Platinum Maestro perfectly partners Elmo’s advanced servo drives and Application Studio II software (EAS II Tools). With emphasis on cost-effective and straightforward machine development its EtherCAT networking capability delivers low jitter synchronisation down to 100µs for eight drive axes, with 32 fully synchronised axes at 250 µs.

The advanced motion control capability extends to complex synchronised axis and I/O control including superimposed moves, 3D error mapping, PVT, splines, delta robot, kinematics support and more. The multi-core processor based controller includes high speed communication from any host type as well as standard and user defined communications protocols. Programming environments cover PLCopen and IEC 61131-3 as well as Elmo’s own G-MAS API for Win 32 C++. The Platinum Maestro is a compelling choice as a machine controller on many levels with the potential for standalone ‘self-sufficient’ control and optional features for ultra-fast communications such as Fast Host Ethernet and USB 3 (5 Gbps) - enabling interfacing for high-speed peripherals such as cameras or lasers - as well as HDMI connectivity for HMI Panels.

Further connectivity potential for the Maestro is available through on-board hardware interfaces that can support customised option boards; for example for high speed encoders, special D2A or A2D devices and sensors etc. For I/O intensive applications a version of the Platinum Maestro motion controller is available with supplementary digital and analogue I/O which is configurable to support additional absolute and incremental encoders, gyros, accelerometers and other specialist sensor device interfacing.

As a fundamental part of its ease of use and fast-time-to-market potential, the Maestro’s seamless interconnectivity with Elmo’s Gold series EtherCAT servo drives allows users a comprehensive choice of power and voltage ratings for DC brush, sinusoidal and trapezoidal brushless motors, and an equally generous selection of feedback devices from incremental and analogue encoders to EnDAT 2.2, SSI and more. Gold series drives also provide safety inputs for Safe Torque Off (STO). Further enhancing the Maestro’s straightforward system integration capability, the drive and motion controller set-up and programming is taken care of with Elmo’s EAS II Tools and its ‘Motion without Programming” concept brings together structural smart building blocks within IEC 61138-3 or its own G-MAS programming environment to allow fast, easy and efficient execution of otherwise complex machine functions.

Heason Technology, on their own part, through its own systems integration capability, can harness all of these features and add value with its own in-house design and build service for high precision positioning mechanics and associated equipment - supplying completely bespoke automated motion and machine solutions.

#PAuto @heasonmotion @ElmoMotionContr