Aerotech Ndrive Linear Drive Selection

Aerotech Ndrive Linear Drive Selection

In the field of precision motion control, linear servo drives have always been the preferred choice for optical inspection, semiconductor processing, nanopositioning, and laser microfabrication due to their low noise, zero alternating distortion, and ultra-high bandwidth. The linear series in the Aerotech Ndrive family includes Ndrive HLe, Ndrive CL, and Ndrive ML, which share the digital architecture of the Automation 3200 motion controller and achieve deterministic communication and multi axis synchronization through the FireWire network. For engineers who are maintaining old equipment, replacing discontinued linear drive modules, or expanding multi axis systems, understanding the specification differences, feedback capabilities, I/O expansion, PSO laser triggering, and ordering options of these three drives is key to reducing downtime and avoiding selection errors.

Ndrive linear series positioning

The Ndrive linear series is a high-performance discrete drive used to control brushless motors, brushed DC motors, stepper motors, and voice coil motors. They use digital current loop, velocity loop, and position loop closure, based on dual precision processors, to generate extremely smooth motion curves. The servo response is optimized through up to eight second-order loop shaping filters, precise time aligned feedforward, and other proprietary technologies, with a maximum closed-loop rate of 20 kHz. The linear power stage has no PWM switching noise, so the EMI/RFI emission is extremely low, and the speed regulation and position stability are excellent.

Ndrive HLe is the most feature rich linear drive in the series, supporting rotary or encoder feedback, with optional 1 to 3-axis position synchronous output, automatic brake control, digital and analog I/O expansion, absolute encoder interface, 1 or 2-channel rotary interface, and dedicated Ethernet port for third-party I/O expansion. Ndrive CL and Ndrive ML are designed for cost sensitive or space limited applications, retaining linear power levels and FireWire networks but simplifying some scalability. Any Ndrive combination can be connected to the Automation 3200 FireWire network, configured on an axis for flexible expansion.

Comparison of HLe, CL, and ML cores

From the perspective of current and bus, Ndrive HLe covers peak voltage of 10-20 A, continuous voltage of 5-10 A, and bus voltage of ± 40 to ± 80 VDC; Ndrive CL has a peak of 10 A, continuous 5 A, and a bus voltage of ± 40 VDC; Ndrive ML also has a peak of 10 A, continuous of 5 A, and a bus voltage of ± 40 VDC. All three are linear power levels with a minimum load inductance of 0, suitable for low inductance linear motors and voice coil motors.

In terms of power supply, the HLe motor power supply is a 2-phase AC, 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, factory configured; Control power supply 85-240 VAC. The power supply of CL motor is a 56 VAC center tap transformer with two 28 VAC windings; Control power supply 85-240 VAC. The ML motor power supply is DC, with a maximum of ± 40 VDC; Control power supply 18-36 VDC. This means that ML is more suitable for mobile or embedded devices powered by DC, while HLe and CL are suitable for cabinets isolated by AC or transformers.

In terms of I/O, HLe and CL have similar standard configurations: 4 optically isolated digital outputs, 6 optically isolated digital inputs (including 2 high-speed inputs), 1 16 bit differential analog input, and 1 16 bit single ended analog output. ML standard I/O is limited, with only one 16 bit differential analog input, and digital I/O needs to be obtained through an expansion board. In terms of expanding I/O, HLe can add 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 3 16 bit analog inputs, and 3 16 bit analog outputs; CL can add 16 digital inputs, 16 digital outputs, 1 12 bit analog input, and 1 16 bit analog output; ML can add 8 digital inputs, 8 digital outputs, 1 16 bit analog input, and 1 16 bit analog output. HLe also supports Ethernet connection to third-party I/O, while CL and ML do not provide Ethernet.

There are significant differences in PSO capabilities: HLe standard single axis PSO, optional dual axis and three-axis; CL and ML only support single axis PSO. In terms of encoder multiplication, HLe can choose MXH, with a maximum of x65536 and real-time orthogonal output; CL can choose MXU, up to x8192, but there is no real-time orthogonal output; ML can choose MXU up to x4096 or MXH up to x65536 with real-time orthogonal output. The rotary interface is only available in HLe, providing 1 or 2 channels and 16 bit resolution. The absolute encoder interface HLe supports Renishaw Resolute BiSS, EnDat 2.1, and EnDat 2.2. Automatic braking control is standard on HLe, 24 V @ 1 A; CL and ML are optional. ESTOP are all standard 24V optically isolated inputs.

Ndrive HLe Detailed Capability

The Ndrive HLe has three basic models: 10-40, 20-40, and 10-80. 10-40 is a 10 A peak, 5 A continuous, ± 40 VDC bus; 20-40 is a 20 A peak, 10 A continuous, ± 40 VDC bus; 10-80 is a 10 A peak, 5 A continuous, ± 80 VDC bus. The motor power supply is 115/230 VAC, 50/60 Hz, factory configured; Control the power supply to 85-240 VAC for logic circuits and 'keep active' power supply.