Precise motion solutions

Source: CAN Newsletter March 2009

The company Schenk Musik & Light provides technical planning and equipment for events, which require application-specific illumination-, sound- and motion-concepts. One of the company’s projects is the creation of a movable multi-part-display of 6‑m width and 3,5 m height, which was build for the Games Convention 2008 in Leipzig (Germany). The whole display-surface consists of three columns, each of them bearing two rows with respectively 6 single-displays (0,5 m x 1 m). Depending on the shown pictures, the displays are moving in two axes (forwards/backwards and sidewards), thus building a large single display or three single displays. Each column weights approximately 1 t. To fulfill the precise movements the Lexium 05 servo-drives from Schneider Electric with performance of 0,4 kW to 6 kW and voltages from 115 V to 480 V were deployed. Company’s Lexium Motion Controller was used to control the drives via the CAN-based “Motion Bus”. I/O modules and frequency converters were communicating via CANopen. In the shown movies, time-stamps were set at appropriate points, at which the displays had to move to certain positions. These “time-codes” were sent to the controller, which led the movement data to the six servo-drives. All application parameters were deposited in the motion controller and visualized via an external PC. Operation modes for point-to-point movement, velocity, torque, electronic gear or manual movement are available on the controller.

The LMC is also used in automated dispensing systems from Gollmann Kommissioniersysteme located in Halle (Germany). In this application several axes have to be controlled. The roll-cabinets are driven by frequency converters. The motion controller positions the roll-cabinets ensuring collision-free movement. A four-axes portal handles the storage containers located in the roll-cabinets. Therefore servo-drives controlled by LMC are deployed. For operation of the plant and managing of the storage a panel-PC is used. The drive commands are then send from the PC to the motion controller.