One of the fastest drive-integrated PLCs on the market

Even more flexibility for automation systems: In the servo drives of the new b maXX 6000 range, the drive-integrated control unit b maXX drivePLC handles scalable control tasks up to high-performant synchronous multi-axis applications. This reduces the demand on, minimizes, and accordingly replaces central process loop control, since the drivePLC can also be used as EtherCAT Master to control additional servo converters. With minimal field bus cycle times of up to 250 µs, the integrated control unit is one of the fastest drive-integrated PLCs on the market.

Through digital inputs, the b maXX drivePLC reacts in real time to important events such as touch probes. The advantage: The control unit works with greater efficiency and safety, in particular in environments requiring fast response times.

In addition, the drive-integrated PLC also allows the implementation of smart applications in addition to movement control. The extremely fast interface between drivePLC and servo-controller (local axis) provides access to drive parameters such as voltage, current, power, torque, revolutions per minute, and position. Using their own control algorithms and IoT functionalities, engine manufacturers can thus offer their clients added value.

Completely new IoT solutions become possible using the analog high-speed inputs (no additional hardware required, minimum scanning time 1 μs). For example, a mechanical vibration sensor can be attached directly, so as to perform a vibration analysis directly in the drive system PLC.

This excellent connectivity enables the design of highly flexible and modular structures through interfaces such as OPC, UA, MQTT, EtherCAT, and Ethernet. The b maXX drivePLC is thus ideally set up for future requirements regarding automation or the Internet of Things.

Increasing productivity and enabling new business models through smart drive solutions

Condition monitoring solutions allow operators to keep track of the condition of many machines on a regular basis. For example, wear on motors can be identified early, preventing potential machine downtimes. However, if this function is performed via sensor, it can quickly get very complicated and costly, depending on the type of machine and the number of motors used, such as in a textile machine.

The new Smart Vibration Monitoring software solution allows machine manufacturers to offer their clients condition monitoring without external sensors. The software is directly integrated in the servo-controller using softdrivePLC, making it easy to retrofit and update. Machine manufacturers thus have new options, such as offering runtime models for additional machine functions.

The new function uses previously recorded and analyzed process parameters as reference values for monitoring the mechanics, such as the electric motor, fan, or hydraulic pump. The software detects vibrations, such as those created by imbalance or improper alignment, early on and sends an error signal. This allows planned maintenance to be carried out on the motor, preventing further damage to or failure of the machine.

Optimized engineering and increased productivity thanks to a digital twin

Baumüller offers a wide variety of controller and mechanics models for virtual commissioning. The advantage: Using the engineering tool ProSimulation, the machine manufacturer can determine the ideal drive system and ideal operating site. In particular for more complex non-linear processes, the tool simulates different movement profiles in order to find the ideal drive system. This saves the machine builder valuable time in designing the machine, and reduces energy costs and thus the CO2 emissions of the machine from the very beginning. In addition, the simulation makes it possible to determine ahead of time whether the required performance values will be reached.

The latest model simulates the knee lever in the clamping unit of an injection molding machine. On request, Baumüller’s simulation experts can adapt the modeled mechanics to individual machine types.

Boost your performance, reduce your footprint

The new b maXX 6000 servo controller generation stands for more performance and maximum scalability. The increase in performance is achieved for example through newly developed safety functionalities which were devised specifically for applications requiring especially dynamic and precise handling. In the new servo-controllers, the safety module is integrated directly into the device. This allows safety-relevant encoder signals to be analyzed at an even higher resolution. That way, speed and position precision can once again be significantly improved, helping reduce machine cycle times.

Numerous hardware and software options ensure maximum scalability, so that drives can be even better adapted to the requirements of the specific application. A large number of encoder, hardware, and safety options is available. For the hardware, the signal bus, service option, digital and analog I/Os, and brake connection can be selected, among other things. With regard to safety, different variations are available, from the simple hardware-controlled STO (Safe Torque-Off) through to higher safety functions actuated via FSoE (FailSafe over EtherCAT), all of which comply with the highest safety level.

Baumüller is also setting new standards for device dimensions: In addition to the space-saving side-by-side system (b maXX 6300), the mono units (b maXX 6500) are also significantly more compact. The installation volume is thus greatly reduced, enabling even smaller control cabinets.

But the servo can do a lot more: the drive can be used as a sensor/sensor hub and provides scalable IoT connectivity, for example as a cloud link through edge computing.

One of the fastest drive-integrated PLCs on the market

Even more flexibility for automation systems: In the servo drives of the new b maXX 6000 range, the drive-integrated control unit b maXX drivePLC handles scalable control tasks up to high-performant synchronous multi-axis applications. This reduces the demand on, minimizes, and accordingly replaces central process loop control, since the drivePLC can also be used as EtherCAT Master to control additional servo converters. With minimal field bus cycle times of up to 250 µs, the integrated control unit is one of the fastest drive-integrated PLCs on the market.

Through digital inputs, the b maXX drivePLC reacts in real time to important events such as touch probes. The advantage: The control unit works with greater efficiency and safety, in particular in environments requiring fast response times.

In addition, the drive-integrated PLC also allows the implementation of smart applications in addition to movement control. The extremely fast interface between drivePLC and servo-controller (local axis) provides access to drive parameters such as voltage, current, power, torque, revolutions per minute, and position. Using their own control algorithms and IoT functionalities, engine manufacturers can thus offer their clients added value.

Completely new IoT solutions become possible using the analog high-speed inputs (no additional hardware required, minimum scanning time 1 μs). For example, a mechanical vibration sensor can be attached directly, so as to perform a vibration analysis directly in the drive system PLC.

This excellent connectivity enables the design of highly flexible and modular structures through interfaces such as OPC, UA, MQTT, EtherCAT, and Ethernet. The b maXX drivePLC is thus ideally set up for future requirements regarding automation or the Internet of Things.

Increasing productivity and enabling new business models through smart drive solutions

Condition monitoring solutions allow operators to keep track of the condition of many machines on a regular basis. For example, wear on motors can be identified early, preventing potential machine downtimes. However, if this function is performed via sensor, it can quickly get very complicated and costly, depending on the type of machine and the number of motors used, such as in a textile machine.

The new Smart Vibration Monitoring software solution allows machine manufacturers to offer their clients condition monitoring without external sensors. The software is directly integrated in the servo-controller using softdrivePLC, making it easy to retrofit and update. Machine manufacturers thus have new options, such as offering runtime models for additional machine functions.

The new function uses previously recorded and analyzed process parameters as reference values for monitoring the mechanics, such as the electric motor, fan, or hydraulic pump. The software detects vibrations, such as those created by imbalance or improper alignment, early on and sends an error signal. This allows planned maintenance to be carried out on the motor, preventing further damage to or failure of the machine.

Optimized engineering and increased productivity thanks to a digital twin

Baumüller offers a wide variety of controller and mechanics models for virtual commissioning. The advantage: Using the engineering tool ProSimulation, the machine manufacturer can determine the ideal drive system and ideal operating site. In particular for more complex non-linear processes, the tool simulates different movement profiles in order to find the ideal drive system. This saves the machine builder valuable time in designing the machine, and reduces energy costs and thus the CO2 emissions of the machine from the very beginning. In addition, the simulation makes it possible to determine ahead of time whether the required performance values will be reached.

The latest model simulates the knee lever in the clamping unit of an injection molding machine. On request, Baumüller’s simulation experts can adapt the modeled mechanics to individual machine types.