Benefits & Applications
An integrated motor, as the name suggests, is a package of motor, feedback (encoder), controller, amplifier, network connection and configurable digital and analogue I/Os. All this sits within one industrial housing, where the components are effectively matched to one another. This simplifies integration because the unique features of motor and encoder are pre-set in the drive, eliminating the need for further configuration. This includes, for example, the Ohmic resistance of the motor winding, the permissible nominal and maximum current, the type of encoder, the resolution, the number of channels, and so on.
(De)Central & Modular
An integrated motor improves efficiency, reliability and cost, compared to solutions using separate motors with encoders and drives. This could include, for example, eliminating the sometimes long motor and encoder cables, whereby the latter also functions as a kind of antenna and thus picks up interference. Assembling these cables in the machine also involves labour costs. In central configurations, it is sufficient to establish a fieldbus connection from the platform above, often an industrial PC or PLC, in order to communicate. Frequently used fieldbuses in motion control are CANopen and EtherCAT. Communication via DeviceNet, Profibus, Profinet, EtherNet/IP and Modbus is also used.
In addition to the communication cable, an integrated motor only needs a power cable. The advantage of this is that it can be looped through to the next integrated motor, making modular systems easy to assemble and expand.
Standalone
An integrated engine can also be used in a standalone situation to control 1 or more axles simultaneously. For this purpose, a complete set of system variables for tuning, motion control, monitoring and configurable digital and analogue I/Os is available. Sensors can be read directly and external interaction can take place using hardware buttons or HMI. In this way, it is possible to design your own building blocks with functionality that does not require a separate PLC.
Industries
Integrated motors are used in a wide range of applications and industries. Some examples are further explained in the whitepaper.
