Lincoln, MA - Performance Motion Devices, a world leader in motion control technology, introduces the ION™ Microstepping Digital Drive. ION is a fully enclosed module that provides high performance motion control, network connectivity and amplification in a compact, easy to use package for DC brush, brushless DC or step motors. Built upon the advanced Magellan Motion Processor, ION delivers incredible performance at a breakthrough price. It is ideal for medical, scientific, semiconductor, automation, industrial and robotic applications. The ION Microstepping version supports two-phase bipolar motors, and can automatically switch between user-defined current modes.
The microstepping resolution is programmable up to 256 µsteps/step. ION provides asynchronous serial (RS485) or CANbus network communications. Selectable profiling modes include S-curve, trapezoidal, velocity contouring and electronic gearing. The ION Digital Drive accepts commands over the communications network such as position, velocity, acceleration and jerk, and generates a corresponding trajectory on-the-fly.In addition to trajectory control, ION provides instructions to initialize and control the motion application, monitor performance, and synchronize overall drive behavior.
Working with the ION Digital Drive, PMD’s powerful Pro-Motion® GUI makes it easy to graph and analyze system performance, while C-Motion® and VB-Motion allow you to develop your own application using C/C++ or Visual BASIC. President and CEO, Chuck Lewin says, “Single-axis motion controllers such as ION have a fundamental cost advantage over off-the-shelf, card-based approaches. For example, when you use multi-axis motion cards with off-the-shelf amplifiers, the per-axis cost is substantially higher than the cost of an ION. And as a bonus, you have fewer cables and greater reliability.
Basic economics is a big factor driving engineers to these single-axis, all-in-one controllers." The ION Digital Drive is available in DC Brush, Brushless DC and Microstepping configurations. Prices start at $223 in OEM quantities.
