Motion Control Module Eases Next-Gen Industrial Automation

Promising to speed up the design of distributed motion control apps, the SPIMD20 customizable motor-control module is small enough to mount directly on the motor and provides an industrial Ethernet interface. The module also supports protocols such as EtherCAT and CANopen DS402 and drives three-phase brushless motors up to 2 kW. It employs the company’s semiconductor technologies including 1,200V/40A IGBT power switches, the TD352 gate driver, and two STM32 microcontrollers. Basic firmware supporting network connectivity and featuring PWM driving, current loop and speed-loop execution synchronized to the fieldbus is also available. Other features include an 800V maximum dc supply voltage, a safe architecture meeting IEC 61800-5-1, serial programming interface, position feedback via resolver or digital encoder, vibration analysis and thermal sensing, and 2 MB of on-board flash and support for a removable memory card. STMICROELECTRONICS, Lexington, MA. (888) 787-3550.