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The real-time Ethernet revolution continues: Baldor to demo easy migration at mtec 2006

November 7, 2005 --- At Machine Building & Pneumotion 2006, Baldor will focus on the cost, performance and system building flexibility benefits of Ethernet Powerlink technology. Demonstrations of its Ethernet Powerlink compatible machine controller and servo drives will include scenarios that illustrate the simple migration route the technology offers for motion automation builders currently using positioning drives compatible with the CANopen DSP 402 standard.

The decision of the EPSG - the group controlling the Ethernet Powerlink real-time Ethernet standard - to work with the CANopen standards body and adopt the DSP 402 profile (and the DS-301/DS-302 application layers), gives CANopen users an interesting migration path. It offers the potential to upgrade the network to a much more sophisticated and higher bandwidth standard (100Mbits/sec rather than 1Mbits/sec maximum), with minimal disruption to the way OEMs build systems and to the control software.

This development option will be illustrated by Baldor's Ethernet Powerlink compliant servo motor drive - MicroFlex e100 - which is fully DSP 402 compliant.

"Machinery OEMs can start to employ dual-standard DSP 402/Ethernet Powerlink drives in their equipment immediately, while they port their control system software to a new generation core and take advantage of the new Ethernet environment," says David Greensmith. "A phased changeover makes it easier to upgrade, allowing machine evolution to happen in predictable and manageable steps."

For machine builders in general, Baldor's demonstration - which will show a large multi-axis Ethernet Powerlink motion system - will illustrate the spectrum of benefits the technology offers. This ranges from cost savings via cable reduction and reduced hardware bill of materials (Baldor's Ethernet Powerlink controller is capable of managing over 200 positioning drive axes or network nodes for example, compared with say 2 to 12 axes on today's motion controllers), through easier system building and upgrade capability, to increased performance by more accurate servo speed and positioning control.

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