Schneider ELAU PacDrive C400/C400 A8 Controller

Schneider ELAU PacDrive C400/C400 A8 Controller

Product core positioning and system architecture

1. Core positioning

The PacDrive C400/C400 A8 is a high-performance motion controller based on a real-time operating system, designed specifically for industrial equipment that requires multi axis synchronization and precise positioning. Its core function is to coordinate servo drives to complete complex motion control tasks (such as cam synchronization, electronic gears, and multi axis interpolation), while supporting logic control and industrial communication, and adapting to automated production lines such as packaging, printing, and assembly.

2. System architecture

Hardware Core: Equipped with Intel processors (C400 for Pentium M 600MHz, C400 A8 for Celeron M 600MHz), 256MB RAM, 128kB NVRAM, and ≥ 128MB CompactFlash card (for program storage and data backup), ensuring real-time computation and data stability.

Real time operating system: Equipped with VxWorks real-time system, it has fast response speed, supports multitasking parallel processing, and meets the demand for "microsecond level" real-time performance in motion control.

Core bus: Connected to servo drives through SERCOS real-time motion bus (C400 supports up to 16 SERCOS slave stations, C400 A8 supports up to 8), achieving multi axis synchronous control; Simultaneously equipped with fieldbus such as PROFIBUS DP and CANopen, balancing logic control and device interconnection.

Core functions and technical features

1. Motor control ability

Multi axis control: C400 supports 16 servo axes, and C400 A8 supports 8 servo axes. All axes are compatible with full cycle control of SERCOS bus (such as 1ms/2ms/4ms cycle), which can achieve complex movements such as electronic gear, electronic cam, and multi axis interpolation, meeting high-precision synchronization requirements (such as film traction and cutter synchronization of packaging machines).

Cam and sequence control: Supports up to 256 dynamic cam groups, and cam curves can be customized through software; Sequence control supports three modes of "continuous/cycle/event triggering", adapted to the step-by-step action logic of the production line (such as workstation switching on the assembly line).

Position detection and feedback: equipped with 1 SinCos main encoder interface and 1 incremental main encoder interface (X11), supporting external position feedback; Simultaneously providing 16 Touchprobe trigger inputs (X4) with a resolution of 100 μ s, it can achieve precise positioning capture (such as product positioning detection).

2. Logic control and I/O expansion

PLC function: Supports IEC 61131-3 standard programming language (instruction list IL, ladder diagram LD, function block diagram FBD, structured text ST, etc.), can simultaneously handle motion control and logic control tasks (such as equipment start stop, safety interlock, fault diagnosis); PLC instruction execution speed is fast, with only 7 μ s required for 1000 instructions and a fast task cycle of up to 250 μ s.

Local I/O configuration:

Digital input: 20 channels (DC 20-33V, supporting 1/5ms parameterized filtering), used for detecting sensor signals (such as photoelectric switches, limit switches).

Digital output: 16 channels (DC 20-30V, rated current 250mA per channel, short circuit protection), used to control actuators (such as solenoid valves, indicator lights).

Analog I/O: 2 analog inputs (-10~10V or 0~20mA, 12 bit resolution), 2 analog outputs (-10~10V, 12 bit resolution), compatible with analog devices such as pressure sensors and proportional valves.

Fast I/O: 4-channel interrupt input (X4, 0.1/1ms filtering), used to process high-speed trigger signals (such as emergency stop, safety door signals).

Scalability: Up to 128 digital inputs/outputs and 128 Touchprobe inputs can be expanded through the PacNet interface; Through PROFIBUS DP, 126 slave stations can be connected, with a maximum expansion of 3584 bytes of digital/analog I/O, meeting the signal acquisition and control requirements of large-scale production lines.

3. Industrial communication and data exchange

Communication interface:

Motion bus: SERCOS (16MBaud), used for connecting servo drives to achieve multi axis synchronization.

Fieldbus: PROFIBUS DP (master/slave mode, 12MBaud), CANopen, DeviceNet (adapter required), EtherNet/IP (optional hardware module required), supporting interconnection with PLC, HMI, sensors and other devices.

General communication: RS232 (COM1), RS485 (COM2), Ethernet (10/100Base-T, supporting TCP/IP), used for program download, data monitoring, and remote maintenance.

Data exchange and remote services:

Built in OPC server, supports real-time data access for Windows based HMI (such as Schneider Vijeo Designer), and realizes device status visualization.

Support remote services between web servers and modems, enabling device diagnostic information to be obtained through browsers or SMS (SMTP protocol), simplifying on-site maintenance.

Integrated data logger (27kB) and trajectory logger (8 channels, 1ms resolution), capable of recording fault information and motion curves for troubleshooting and process optimization.