Difference between revisions of "Controller"

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(CNC controllers)
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In '''motion control''' this usually means a CNC controller, software, PLC or similar that generates the [[setpoint signal]]s for the drive as well as other control signals such as enable & reset errors.
 
In '''motion control''' this usually means a CNC controller, software, PLC or similar that generates the [[setpoint signal]]s for the drive as well as other control signals such as enable & reset errors.
==CNC controllers==
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==CNC motion controllers==
 
There are two main types of CNC controllers:
 
There are two main types of CNC controllers:
 
*Software controllers (run on PC)
 
*Software controllers (run on PC)
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*Siemens SINUMERIC controller
 
*Siemens SINUMERIC controller
 
*[http://www.heidenhain.com/en_US/products-and-applications/controlling-machine-tools/ Heidenhain CNC controllers]
 
*[http://www.heidenhain.com/en_US/products-and-applications/controlling-machine-tools/ Heidenhain CNC controllers]
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==PLC==
 
==PLC==
 
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 setpoint signals. Many PLC's are motion control capable and are a suitable choice also for VSD drives.
 
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 setpoint signals. Many PLC's are motion control capable and are a suitable choice also for VSD drives.

Revision as of 20:21, 12 December 2013

Controller generally means something that is in control of various things.

In motion control this usually means a CNC controller, software, PLC or similar that generates the setpoint signals for the drive as well as other control signals such as enable & reset errors.

CNC motion controllers

There are two main types of CNC controllers:

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

Mach 3

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

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.

Stand-alone controllers

PLC

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 setpoint signals. Many PLC's are motion control capable and are a suitable choice also for VSD drives.

Software

TODO Direct software control and SimpleMotion here.