What gives robots such a magical quality and enables them to achieve such precise motion control ?
The answer is a servo drive system!
As a core unit in the field of modern motion control, the servo drive system can achieve high-precision transmission and positioning. It mainly consists of two parts: a servo driver and a servo motor. The servo driver receives instructions (speed, position, and torque) from the host computer and then sends the instructions from the host computer to the servo motor, thereby realizing motion control; this is the working principle of the servo drive system.
The above describes the simplest motion control. If you only want to move one of the robot's fingers, this is perfectly fine. However, if you want the robot to move all 53 fingers simultaneously, you need a servo control system to control multiple objects at the same time, thereby achieving complex mechanical movements.
This is where the problem arises. Previously, the servo drive and servo motor were separate units; the servo drive was housed in the control cabinet, while the servo motor was installed inside the machine, connected by a cable. This connection method works perfectly fine when controlling a single motion unit.
However, if multiple motion units are controlled, such an independent design will bring many inconveniences.
Driven by technological advancements and user demands, a system called "distributed servo drive system" has emerged!
It easily solved all the above problems. So, how did it do it?
First, a compact, integrated design is adopted, in which the servo driver is directly integrated into the servo motor. The size of the servo motor is only extended by 7 centimeters, and it can be connected to the host computer through a single communication cable.
This eliminates the need to install a driver in the control cabinet. Instead, a coupler module can be installed and connected to a distributed interface module via a single cable, ultimately enabling the connection of multiple servo motors.
Each distributed module can control 5 servo drives, and each distributed module can also be cascaded down;
Therefore, even complex machines or production lines can be implemented using a simple topology. This not only greatly reduces the space occupied by the control cabinet, but also solves the problem of needing multiple control cabinets on the production line due to too many servo motors or too far apart.
Secondly, the unique EtherCATP single-cable technology integrates the motor's DC power supply and control bus into a single cable; previously, signal transmission and power supply were separate, requiring two separate cables.
Now, a single cable can be used to simultaneously transmit EtherCAT signals and supply power, greatly simplifying the installation process, making the cable layout clearer, reducing wiring errors, and minimizing the space requirements of the control cabinet.
In addition to implementing these distributed servo features, TwinSAFE will soon be integrated into the system. Safety functions will be seamlessly integrated into the standard control platform, such as emergency stop, safety door monitoring, two-hand operation safety pad monitoring, as well as mute, safe position, and safe speed limits, enabling more complex safety functions.
Therefore, if you have the following needs regarding motion control:
a. Situations with strict space requirements
b. In situations where strict equipment safety requirements are in place.
c. Production lines with large equipment footprints and complex layouts.
