Delta Motion has announced the addition of EtherCAT MainDevice capability to its RMC200 Motion Controller. By partnering with acontis technologies and using their software suite, Delta Motion has developed a versatile product. The addition of EtherCAT MainDevice capability to the RMC200 offers greater flexibility for integrating with hydraulic and electric motion control in industrial applications.
Why acontis
Delta Motion faced challenges with other options that were not suitable. acontis provided detailed support and accommodated requests, helping Delta adapt the software to customer needs. With 20 years of experience in EtherCAT technology and continuous software updates, Delta sees this a long-term collaboration to keep its software aligned with EtherCAT advancements.
“Delta is known for providing the best possible combination of performance and ease of use,” says Steve Nylund, CEO of Delta Motion. “We wanted our EtherCAT implementation to be as user-friendly and robust as our customers have come to expect from Delta. Teaming up with acontis technologies was crucial for achieving this, and our engineers were pleased with their responsiveness and support during the integration process. Initial response to the product has confirmed that we are meeting our high standards.”
Tested for stability and performance
With years of testing and real-world use, acontis’ EC-Master EtherCAT MainDevice stack has been integrated into Delta’s RMC200 and beta tested across various customers and applications. Delta Motion refined the EtherCAT implementation based on these tests to improve stability and performance in different applications. Firmware updates during the beta testing addressed customer feedback, resulting in a product prepared for use.
“Our beta testers played a crucial role in helping us refine the EtherCAT modules capabilities,” says Steve Nylund. “The feedback we received confirmed that our solution delivers exceptional performance.”
Configurable I/O Support for Various Applications
The RMC200 now includes EtherCAT support. It can manage up to 50 axes of position and pressure control, supporting directly-connected and EtherCAT I/O. Machines using hydraulic and electric motion can use EtherCAT-enabled drives for electric axes while maintaining traditional servo-proportional valves and feedback sensors for hydraulic axes.
“Electric drives with EtherCAT often provide significant advantages with no cost adder, while the benefits for other devices depend on the application,” says Steve Nylund.
Why EtherCAT
Fast Communication: EtherCAT offers fast data transmission with low jitter, ensures real-time control of motion systems.
Scalability: The RMC200 supports up to 50 motion axes, making it suitable for larger systems. EtherCAT maintains performance even with multiple networked devices.
Flexibility: EtherCAT’s compatibility with motor drives allows seamless integration with Delta’s RMC200 Motion Controllers.
Simplified Wiring: EtherCAT minimizes wiring complexity, reducing installation time and costs.
Edited by Puja Mitra, WTWH Media, for Control Engineering, from a Delta Motion news release.
