Parker Hannifin, one of the world’s leading suppliers of motion and control products, has unveiled Servonet DC, a double-axis servo drive built in a robust IP67-rated housing that permits use in challenging environments outside of the cabinet. Target applications include packaging machines and rotary tables where numerous drives and motors are present.

The wiring of the double-axis (5A/10A or 10A/10A) Servonet DC system is fast and easy using the hybrid cable, which transfers the required power, control and communications signalling. What’s more, all wiring changes are made on the machine via plug and socket Faston connectors rather than in the electrical cabinet, while the reduced number of connections also mean fewer potential failure points. The system is complemented by an extensive series of servo motors (rotary and linear), a power supply and interface module (which is the only part that remains inside the cabinet).

Servonet DC has been developed in response to growing demand for high quality yet cost effective solutions to multi-axis applications, where a number of drives are mounted in close proximity on the machine. Here, Servonet DC allows a decentralised approach to motion control functionality, which is executed by means of EtherCAT communication or, optionally, CANopen DS402. In turn, this provides the potential for considerable savings in time and materials, while offering design engineers with the opportunity to reduce machine footprint. Indeed, as the power supply and interface module are the only additional components required in the cabinet, the electronics footprint is up to 70% smaller than traditional centralised solutions.

With Servonet DC, machine design becomes very easy thanks to the drive’s modularity. Additional axes can be added as required, simply by duplicating schematic drawings from other axes. This not only reduces engineering time and costs, but simplifies the assembly process and accelerates time to market.

A further benefit is that the energy-efficient Servonet DC works on a common DC bus power supply, which means the system can absorb and resupply much of the braking energy to other Servonet DC units rather than dissipating it in the form of heat via external resistors. As a result, resistors can be removed completely in certain application, while in others, small resistors are sufficient.

Servonet DC solutions can be deployed together with motor-integrated drives of Parker’s Motornet DC family, as the cabling concept and communication protocol are identical.

Hydraulics