Intelligent motion controller via CANBus or serial port

ION(TM) DC Brush Drive - this fully enclosed, compact module is the second in PMD's NEW family of high performance motion control drives providing network connectivity, power amplification and advanced motion control features in a rugged, easy to use package. ION is available for DC brush, brushless DC and microstepping motors, and is ideal for medical, scientific, semiconductor, industrial, robotic and general automation applications.

Based on PMD's high performance Magellan(TM) Motion Processor, the ION DC Brush Drive provides high-performance, low cost distributed control in an asynchronous serial network (RS485) version or a CANBus network version. Multiple ION modules (up to 127) can be connected on a single network. ION provides an output capability of up to 15 amps peak, and 500 W at 56 volts. Other features include hardware performance trace, on-the-fly profile changes, and PLC style inputs and outputs.

President and CEO, Chuck Lewin says, "The move toward distributed motion controllers has been driven by cost. A multi-axis motion card with separate amplifiers is substantially more expensive than multiple single-axis intelligent modules. The reduction in wiring in that sense actually comes for free, because it is absolutely not necessarily to justify the move to a serial network."

ION can be programmed using Pro-Motion®, a Windows(TM)-based exerciser which allows quick and easy drive set up or C-Motion® and VB-Motion(TM) software libraries which let users to develop their own applications in C/C++ or Visual Basic.

The ION Drive is CE marked and RoHS compliant. Prices start at $223 in OEM quantities.