Copley Controls Intros StepNet Step Motor Driver

Copley Controls Corp. (Canton, MA) introduced its new StepNet step motor drive, which enables stepper motors to be included in CANopen networked systems that were previously limited to servo motor drives. The modules drive two-phase stepper motors in networked multi-axis systems. They operate as nodes on the CANopen bus. The StepNet drives operate under the DSP402 CANopen protocol for motion control devices.

Embedded intelligence enables each drive to execute point-to-point moves with S-curve profiling. More complex profiles are executed using polynomial interpolation for best-fit contouring. The CANopen DSP402 protocol enables multiple steppers to be synchronized for coordinated multi-axis control. Electronic damping minimizes move times by reducing settling time and mid-speed instability. The drives operate motors in full-step and half-step modes, plus micro stepping for enhanced resolution and minimal velocity ripple.

StepNet modules function as stand-alone step motor drives in addition to a networking role. When used with a dedicated motion controller, the drives accept CW/CCW and pulse and direction inputs, plus quadrature encoder data for electronic gearing. The drives deliver 5A continuous and 7A peak current and operate from 20V.