Launched at the recent Drives and Control Exhibition, the AMC-E board set is the latest addition to the AMC Family. Advanced Motion Control, AMC, is now the name for a whole family of control systems providing a full range of control options for the system builder and original equipment builder. The AMC-E is innovative in that it gives all the features of the packaged AMC family as a two-board plug in set; it is ideal for the OEM and system integrator who needs flexibility when building up control systems. There are two versions of the AMC-E board set, one for up to three axes of stepper motors, the other a 4 axis servo motor version. Both have an integral PLC and feature many of the options and functionality of the AMC controllers to give the latest technology, at a low cost. The first users of the AMC-E machine controller have reported back increased productivity; examples quoted for 2D applications range between a 20 to 50% improvement and in one 3D application an amazing 300% improvement! All the AMC family have the same major benefit of Smooth, High Speed Motion to meet the increasing demands on motion and machine controllers. AMC controllers use 32 bit RISC processor technology to provide you with the computational ability to remove any mechanical system performance restrictions. The parameters within the controller are set to get the best from your mechanical system, optimising the performance for all of the job programs run on your system. The AMC can be supplied in a variety of ways dependent on the application and the method of system integration to be used. For system builders wanting to use their own drive amplifier and motor combination there is the AMC-B, a bookcase controller for up to 6 axes of stepper, servo or a hybrid of mixed stepper / servo signals. For those who prefer a fully integrated solution, other AMC controls can be supplied either in it's uniquely designed case or a 19" rack type enclosure with integrated stepper or servo amplifiers, power supplies and control cards, all interfaced in a single housing solution. This arrangement minimises the cabling requirements on the machine resulting in a lower cost, simpler to install and more easily maintained system. Each of the family of controls has a plc element; fully programmable I/O with outputs switching on the fly and conditional program execution. The AMC controls have an 8 bit analogue output that can be programmed to give, for example, variable spindle speeds. When used for dispensing valves or for laser power the analogue output can vary proportionally, dependent upon the surface feed-rate. The AMC will accept data in a number of formats allowing you to use your favourite software package to create the job programs. From HPGL, ISO G and M codes, ESSI and NEE's own Graphical Programming Software. AMC controllers allow data to be received from a PC while executing a job, without stopping the machine. This allows very large programs to be sent to the controller without affecting job cycle times. Where AMC controllers are fitted with their standard front panels the display can readout in the 4 most widely spoken European languages of German, French, Spanish and English. Two software products complete the family picture. WinAMC® is a full flexible operator interface where all the functions of the AMC can be monitored on either a touch-screen or desktop PC, providing the exact functions for any level of operator. WinAMC® provides a set of virtual switches, buttons and display components for axes readout, I/O status and also provides manual data input functions direct from the virtual panel. Graphical Programming Software, (GPS), has been designed to give an easy and rapid method of creating job programmes, graphically verifying motion control and plc sequences. AMC Controls are used on a wide range of machines for example:
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