Controller

Controller means something that is in control of things. In motion control this usually means a CNC controller, software, PLC or similar. Task main of the controller is to generate the reference signals for the drive as well as other control signals such as enable & reset errors.

CNC controllers

There are two main types of CNC controllers:

• Software controllers (run on PC)
• Hardware controllers (stand alone controllers with screen, jogging buttons etc)

Famous CNC controllers

Mach 3

Mach 3 is probably the most famous low cost CNC controller for Windows PC's. It can produce [pulse and direction] reference signals from PC parallel port and also via external pulse generators.

• Mach 3 web site

EMC2

EMC2 is based on realtime Linux platform and offers high flexibility at expense of somewhat more complex setup process compared to others. However, due to realtime OS platform it provides very stable output on [pulse and direction] control as well as analog and PWM modes.

• EMC2 web site

Stand-alone controllers

• Siemens SINUMERIC controller
• Heidenhain CNC controllers

PLC

Programmable_logic_controller Programmable logic controller is usually a stand-alone device where operator can write programs to do various things, such as control I/O signals and generate motion reference signals. Many PLC's are motion control capable and are a suitable choice also for VSD drives.

• Wikipedia:Programmable logic controller

Software

TODO Direct software control here.

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