Category: Industry Trends

Step Into the World of Precision.

Are you struggling with general automation solutions?

Step into the world of precision motion with the XA4 from Aerotech.

PLC-based motion can’t compare to our industry-leading Automation1 control platform

– and it is more accessible than you think.

Standard features include  safe torque off (STO), a data array with more than 16 MB of memory,

dedicated home and end-of-travel limit inputs and an enhanced current sense device.

The XA4 accepts square-wave and absolute encoder feedback signals.

With the optional encoder multiplier feature, you can multiply sine-wave encoders by up to 4.096.

The XA4 is more than a motion control device — it also includes many process control features.

Add Part-Speed PSO to trigger a process tool like an industrial laser or camera based on your vector programmed velocity.

A 24-volt, one amp brake output is included. The device is CE approved,

NRTL safety certified and EU 2015/863 RoHS 3 directive certified.

The power amplifier bandwidth is software selectable.

Optimal Performance. Easy to Achieve.

The powerful Automation1-iSMC motion controller empowers the XA4 with single- and multi-axis motion trajectories,

coordinated and calibrated motion, gantry control and all the power of the AeroScript real-time programming language.

Integrate the XA4 into a larger control structure using the powerful Automation1 APIs

– part of the Automation1-MDK motion development kit.

Not big on programming?  No problem. Simply build a custom user interface

with the Automation1 MachineApps HMI Builder for Windows PCs.

The Automation1 controller supports RS-274 G-code natively and allows extra large programs (including points files)

to be streamed to the controller using the APIs.

Whether you have a simple sub-millisecond process or something that goes on for days,

the XA4 and Automation1 can meet your application needs.

Key Applications

The XA4 is a part of the user-friendly Automation1 motion control platform, which includes the following:

Development software

Controls

Motor Drives

Fiber-optic HyperWire® communication bus

Precision Motion, Unlocked.

The XA4 delivers better motion control to more machine builders and automation system developers.

The efficient XA4 design is a perfect fit for contoured multi-axis motion control and point-to-point applications.

Contoured applications including laser cutting, laser welding and precision dispensing are all possible with the XA4.

Features such as Autofocus and velocity or torque control make the XA4 an ideal solution for

fast point-to-point motion followed by placement and/or picking applications.

Torque and force control also make XA4 a great candidate for dynamic material testing systems.

Add precision motion control to your industrial and research systems with the XA4 1-, 2- or 4-Axis PWM Servo Drive. 

These streamlined drives enable machine builders to experience Automation1 precision on all of their systems.

The XA4 makes the power of the Automation1 motion control platform more accessible than ever,

so you can build solutions your customers trust.

The simplified multi-axis XA4 brings precise, powerful control to multiple axes of motion in a smaller machine footprint.

Built on the user-friendly Automation1 motion control technology, the XA4 unlocks faster build times and improved quality and throughput.

It communicates to Automation1 PC- and drive-based controller products over the HyperWire®  motion bus,

supports multiple feedback device types and includes on-board memory.

The amplifiers control brushless AC, brush DC, voice coil and stepper motor types at up to 340 VDC operating voltage and 20 A peak current capability.

Design Features

Available in 1-, 2- & 4-axis configurations

Cost-effective, high-performance design

AC & DC motor supply options

Compact design minimizes panel space for multi-axis systems

Superior Geometry

Aerotech’s ultra-stiff construction and compact two-piece

design result in a stage with unmatched geometrical

tolerances. As a result, straightness and flatness for the

standard stage is <±2 µm over the entire travel.

Smooth Travel

Designed for smooth, vibration-free motion, the ALS130H

utilizes precision anti-cage creep cross-roller bearings for

outstanding smoothness of motion. Since neither the

bearing system nor the drive system utilize any

recirculating elements, the ALS130H exhibits the

outstanding ripple-free motion required for scanning and

inspection applications.

Designed for Long Life

Like all stages in the Aerotech product family, the

ALS130H was designed for outstanding long-term

performance. Both the linear motor and linear encoder are

noncontact devices – they not only exhibit long-life, but are

totally maintenance free. A moving magnet track design

eliminates the need for cable management, further

improving long-term reliability.

Precision Alignment

ALS130H series stages are easily configured as XY

assemblies. Options include precision orthogonality

alignment to 5 arc seconds and available vertical axis solutions.

The linear motor drive also offers the advantage of higher

speeds and accelerations. The compact yet powerful linear

motor drives the ALS130H to a peak unloaded acceleration

of 1 g and a maximum velocity of 300 mm/s. The result is a

high-performance stage with outstanding throughput that

significantly outperforms comparable high-accuracy screwdriven stages.

Exceptional Resolution

For alignment applications, outstanding step-to-step

resolution is critical. The ALS130H meets this demand with

a resolution of 0.5 nm when coupled with Aerotech

controls.

The direct-drive linear motor allows the ALS130H to make

precise, small resolution steps. This is particularly

important in alignment applications where step accuracy is

Bi-directional repeatability to 75 nm

Direct-drive linear motor for ultra-precise

motion

High-accuracy noncontact glass scale linear

encoder

Anti-cage creep cross-roller bearings for

smooth motion

Outstanding performance in a small footprint

critical. Furthermore, the linear motor and high resolution

encoder system also provides excellent in-position stability.

Bi-directional repeatability to 75 nm

Direct-drive linear motor for ultra-precise motion

High-accuracy noncontact glass scale linear encoder

Anti-cage creep cross-roller bearings for smooth motion

Outstanding performance in a small footprint

The ALS130H, with its sub-nanometer resolution, superior

bi-directional repeatability, and exceptional low-velocity

performance, is the unparalleled solution for high

performance test, measurement, inspection, and other

demanding applications.

Linear Motor Drive

Unlike many stages that utilize a side-drive lead screw, the

ALS130H employs a center-driven, non-cogging linear

motor as the driving element. Since the linear motor is a

direct-drive device, there is no backlash, windup, or

“stiction” that is normally associated with a lead screw or

ball-screw drive.

Getting Results

The Motion Composer Suite can optimize applications that use

different types of motion including point-to-point, contoured, and

holding position. It can optimize your application no matter the

level of precision. Run your motion program on the controller

while the Digital Scope collects position, velocity, and acceleration

commands, feedback, and error. The results are plotted in multidimensional views, 

and Fourier transforms are performed to

identify any troublesome frequency content.

Relationship-Driven Support

During each phase of your development process and your

machine’s operational life cycle, we have a team ready to support

your needs. Our Field Sales and Application team is an extension

of your design team even while you are still considering solution

options for your system.

When engineering your solution, Aerotech continues to serve as a

resource to your team. We can be brought on as a design partner,

or we can offer a simple consultation. Customers use our system

engineering expertise to expand upon their own capabilities.

As you build, commission, operate, and service your system,

Aerotech’s Global Technical Support team supports and guides

your efforts. We have technology experts that can optimize your

process and develop code for your machine. 

Develop and Test Real-Time Applications

The A3200 Motion Composer Suite includes a powerful

environment for real-time developers. With the 

Motion Composer IDE you can develop, debug, and deploy

real-time application code to the controller. The Motion

Composer IDE can connect to a “virtual controller” and simulate

your application in a virtual mode. This is a powerful development

feature that allows engineers to prove-out complex processes.

For developers who aren’t working at the real-time level and

prefer a standard programming language, the controller can be

accessed via .NET, C, and C++ libraries; a REST API; a MATLAB

library; and LabVIEW VIs.

Tune and Optimize Your Process

Optimize motor setup and servo performance with the Digital

Scope’s optimization tools. Ensure your motor is phased and

commutating correctly and that the encoder is optimized for

performance. Continue to optimize by evaluating the servo loop

and using powerful loop shaping tools to maximize performance.

Or take the easy route. Use Aerotech’s EasyTune one-button

servo optimizer that makes tuning simple.

Connect and Go

The A3200 Platform makes setting up your motion control

solution easy. Quickly set up drives, motors, and stages with the

Configuration Manager application. This is one of the several

tools integrated in the Motion Composer Suite that makes

your team fast and effective. Team members work together to

quickly develop a new solution or they can work from an existing

configuration with advanced parameter importing and exporting tools.

Setting up process automation is also quick and easy. The A3200

Motion Composer Suite has integrated tools for configuring an

EtherCAT, PROFINET, or Modbus Fieldbus network. Fieldbus

I/O and expandable I/O on Aerotech drive hardware is directly

accessible within the AeroBasic real-time programming language.