Overview

I²T provides a suite of software motion control products that reside on PC and PLC platforms, as well as, are integrated into the firmware of our PLC motion controllers.

These tools allow a developer to create tailored motion applications to meet any need. Additionally, I²T can perform the initial application development using the motion tools and the end customer still has the flexibility to make changes as the need arises.

PC Control

Our true open-archiecture PC-based control will reliably control traditional and specialized machine tool processes such as CNC, grinding, milling, drilling, boring, grinding, and turning.

MPL

The Motion Programming Language (MPL) allows applications to be written in a structured text style language. The programs can be monitored, started, or stopped from the PLC allowing the PLC to have complete supervisory level control, or the module can run independent applications. MPL is available across several of our PLC control product lines.

The products that support the MPL are:

A3200

The Automation 3200 digital automation platform represents a revolutionary advancement over traditional PC-bus-based motion controllers. The A3200 is software-based (no PC slots required) and marries a robust, high performance motion engine with vision, PLC, robotics, and I/O in one unified programming environment. The A3200 utilizes the industry standard super high performance FireWire (IEEE-1394) network to provide from 1 to 32 axes of synchronized control with no degradation in performance as the axis count increases.

The integration of multiple common automation tools into a single platform provides users the ability to integrate, develop, and maintain the system faster, with lower cost than ever before. For instance, coupling the vision module with the motion system that coordinates a cutting process (laser, drill, mill, etc.) provides the ability to identify the workpiece and its position, and to adjust the position and signal to the cutter all within one system. This integration dramatically reduces wiring and the necessary components, which not only lowers integration and setup cost but also increases reliability.

An A3200 solution can be created from any combination (up to 32-axes) of the drives and break-out devices listed here:

Function Blocks

Loadable Function Blocks encapsulate the communication protocol between a PLC and I²Ts control modules. A loadable allows the PLC developer to focus on developing the process logic instead of the details of building and processing communication packets.

Module Interface

Provided with the I²T control modules is a suite of applications for configuration and control. These applications allow parameter modifications, MPL program development, axis exercising and I/O status monitoring.