IDEC Corporation introduces a line of motion control stepper products in conjunction with Advanced Micro Controls Inc. (AMCI), an established developer of motion control systems. This AMCI by IDEC product line includes controllers, stepper motors, an integrated controller/drive, an integrated drive/stepper motor, and an integrated controller/drive/stepper motor. When combined with an IDEC FC6A PLC and its embedded motion control macro instructions, these products allow users to quickly and simply implement single- and multi-axis motion control in a wide range of industries and applications.

Many industrial applications require motion control, but users are often frustrated by the complexity and high cost of implementation, particularly with servo systems. IDEC and AMCI have partnered to address this issue by offering a simple yet highly capable stepper motion control system. Macro instructions embedded in the PLC WindLDR programming software can be configured with drag and drop commands to perform control of up to 12 axes.

The integrated controller/drive and drive/stepper motor units save space and money, and simplify installation, by combining multiple components into a single unit. The integrated controller/drive/stepper motor units offer the ultimate in space saving, cost effectiveness and system simplification. 

All AMCI by IDEC products provide users with AMCI’s expertise in motion control combined with IDEC’s service, support and extensive distribution network. Motion control macro instructions embedded in IDEC’s FC6A PLC reduce design and programming time, allowing quick implementation in a wide variety of applications. Because all the components and the software modules are provided by IDEC and AMCI in close partnership, users are assured of correct operation right out of the box, with no need to perform integration among the components.

As compared to more complex servo motion control systems, steppers are a simpler technology, and require no tuning or adjustment. They also have excellent torque at low speeds, don’t require position feedback, and have very low maintenance requirements. These characteristics make them a great fit in a variety of industries including medical/pharmaceutical, printing, packaging, material handling and semiconductor.

Linear applications within these and other industries include conveyers, rail positioning, pushing applications/part eject, X-Y tables and filling stations. Rotary applications within these and other industries include indexing tables, material feed, cut-to-length, labelers and winding.

AMCI by IDEC’s iANF2E (2-axis) controllers can accept encoder feedback to provide stall detection and move verification. Each controller includes six discrete inputs for move conditioning and other functions, and four discrete outputs to indicate status and provide diagnostics. Each controller has a full complement of motion profiles, which can be selected by an IDEC MicroSmart FC6A PLC connected to the controller via an Ethernet-based Modbus TCP communications link. Up to six controllers can be connected to the PLC to control up to 12 axes of motion.

IDEC offers free tech support for this entire line of line of motion control products, with no service or support contract required. For complete specifications or additional information, please contact IDEC Corporation at 800-262-IDEC (4332), or visit us online at www.idec.com