Delta Partners with Acontis to Enhance EtherCAT for Motion Control

Industrial automation is continuously evolving, often demanding more precise, flexible, and scalable motion control solutions. Delta Motion hopes to help customers better meet this need with the recently announced partnership with Acontis Technologies, integrating EtherCAT MainDevice stack capability into its popular RMC200 motion controller.

Advancing Precision and Flexibility in Motion Control

Modern manufacturing and automation systems often involve high-precision motion control across multiple axes, using both hydraulic and electric components. Traditionally, integrating different motion control technologies required complex wiring, multiple communication protocols, and significant system tuning to achieve seamless operation.

The RMC200 motion controller can offer fast communication with sensors, hydraulic valves, and motor drives. Image used courtesy of Delta Motion

These limitations usually led to increased installation costs, maintenance difficulties, and performance bottlenecks. To address these challenges, engineers have sought universal, high-speed communication solutions capable of synchronizing a variety of motion control devices while reducing wiring complexity. Delta Motion’s latest innovation with EtherCAT hopes to provide the answer.

Delta Motion Chooses Acontis Technologies

Acontis has put many years of testing into the EC-Master EtherCAT MainDevice stack. Delta has also run the RMC200 through serious beta testing with different customers in many unique applications. Delta Motion has been able to refine EtherCAT implementation with the data from the testing, ensuring stability and performance across many individual use cases. The use of frequent firmware updates during testing phases allowed Delta to create a system ready for immediate use.

RMC200 with EtherCAT Provides a Step Forward in Motion Control

By integrating EtherCAT MainDevice capability, the RMC200 Motion Controller now offers a scalable, high-speed communication framework that connects and controls multiple industrial motion devices. EtherCAT’s high speed leads to a reduction in jitter that comes from delays or lags in motion commands. This enable manufacturers to achieve better accuracy and efficiency in motion control applications.

The RMC200 can be used for up to 50 motion axes, making it ideal for large-scale automation systems. It allows engineers to change directly connected hydraulic components with EtherCAT enabled electric drives, providing a unique solution that can offer performance while reducing expense.

Key Benefits and Industry Impact

This development is important because it combines flexibility, precision, and efficiency in industrial automation. Engineers can use EtherCAT-enabled drives for electric axes while remaining directly connected to servo-proportional valves and sensors for hydraulics. This hybrid approach promises to create a unique system with the best of both worlds.

EtherCAT can offer advantages without extra costs. Image used courtesy of Delta Motion

EtherCAT’s fast data transmission ensures the synchronization of motion control elements. These are often critical for applications that need increased precision. The ability to control up to 50 axes makes the RMC200 suitable for large-scale and complex automation environments. EtherCAT systems look to reduce cabling needs, simplifying both installation and maintenance.

A Step Forward in Industrial Motion Control

With EtherCAT integration, Delta Motion’s RMC200 Motion Controller has become a likely solution for industries that demand precision, scalability, and efficiency. By enabling hybrid motion control, users can plan on reducing wiring complexity while creating better communication.

Delta Motion hopes the RMC200 will set a new standard for motion control systems in manufacturing and automation. For engineers and manufacturers looking to optimize their motion control setups, the enhanced RMC200 Motion Controller might be the right solution.

For more technical details about motion control in action, check out one of our latest technical articles explaining PID controls with Delta’s RMC motion technology!