Delta, a global leader in power and thermal management solutions and industrial automation systems, introduced the AX-308E as the first of its compact, mid-range AX-3 Series PLC motion controllers. Its based on CODESYS, the development environment complying with international standards, targeting intelligent industrial automation applications. Thus, it shortens the time of learning and programming. This multi-axis motion controller, which controls up to eight EtherCAT servo drives, is compatible with the existing AS Series and supports a broad range of industrial communication protocols, including EtherCAT and offers a complete motion control solution.
Simone Orlandi, Product Manager, Industrial Automation Business Group in Europe Middle East & Africa (EMEA), Delta, said: “The Delta AX-308E designed for motion control applications in markets as diverse as assembly, packaging, and woodworking. Together with the AX-8 series, we increase the scalability of the Delta motion control product portfolio, offering customers more options.”
The AX-308E can control up to eight EtherCAT servo drives, as well as inverters, remote I/O modules, and other third-party devices. Furthermore, up to four pulse-train drives, can be controlled using the integrated fast digital outputs. The broad array of connectivity interfaces offered, including Modbus TCP/RTU, Ethernet/IP, and OPC UA, make this PLC ideal for Industry 4.0. Complementing these communication capabilities are 16 digital inputs, 8 digital outputs, two serial ports, two incremental encoder interfaces, and an SSI port. Support for additional I/Os, temperature sensing, and load cells ensured thanks to compatibility with Delta’s existing AS Series Expansion Module.
DIADesigner-AX is the integration of CODESYS in the DIAStudio software platform. The environment provides support from the planning stage through execution and commissioning, easing the implementation of both simple and complex motion control, including single- and multi-axis movements, gearing, ECAMs and interpolation, in accordance with international standards, namely IEC 61131-3 and PLCopen. Software developers can also benefit from the other integrated tools, such as oscilloscope, simulator and CAM design editor.
