Advanced Motion Controllers

Around the globe and 24 hours a day, Aerotech's
state-of-the-art single- and multi-axis motion
controllers are used in a wide variety of applications,
from research and development, to calibration and testing,
to 24/7 production manufacturing. These servo and stepper
controllers solve simple and complex motion tasks with
easy-to-use, highly flexible interfaces. By combining our
controls expertise with outstanding positioning mechanics,
Aerotech delivers the finest system solutions available
with the least amount of customer risk. We offer several
different innovative digital control architectures, from PC-based
FireWire® controllers to stand-alone systems with Ethernet,
USB, or GPIB interfaces, so customers can get synchronized
motion solutions that match their needs.

RS-274 G-code, C++, .NET,or LabVIEW®. Numerous
canned functions and programming examples for scanning,
tracking, and point-to-point motion can be immediately
integrated by customers for rapid program development.

Aerotech controllers feature interfaces for brush and
brushless servomotors including sinusoidal commutation, as
well as stepper motors. Standard encoder interfaces include
TTL quadrature inputs, analog sinusoidal encoder inputs, and
resolver and inductosyn inputs for magnetic encoding where
optical encoders are impractical. We have many onboard I/O
channels controlled from single or multiple I/O commands.
These I/O are easily combined with Opto 22™ modules for a
large variety of DC, AC, and switch closure capabilities.
Opto-coupling I/O protects the controls from over-voltage
or over-current damage. I/O can be expanded by
additional controllers or with Ethernet I/O modules.
Aerotech designed and manufactured linear and PWM
amplifiers feature high power outputs with low electrical
noise, and minimum crossover distortion and dead time.
They provide fast reaction motion capability while
minimizing electrical noise. We manufacture our own
linear and rotary motors to complement our amplifiers,
eliminating problems of component compatibility and wiring.

In addition to a standard suite of features, our controls
include important interfaces for: high-speed, 3D
vector-based position synchronized outputs (PSO) for highly
accurate position-based event triggering; rapid position
latching for precise event-based position capture; and special
motion command pipelines for receiving rapid position or
velocity inputs used in dynamic tracking systems.
These features are often critical for electro-optic testing, eddy
current and ultrasonic inspections, tracking, calibration, or
motion simulation testing.

Our control software provides a library of easy-to-use
commands for initializing the system, commanding
incremental or absolute position motion, velocity motion,
fault trapping, error handling, and synchronized and
asynchronous I/O. These functions can be multitasking or a
single process thread. Motion commands can simultaneously
command many axes to move together or independently.
Simultaneous to the application process, our controllers
process numerous fault and error checking routines so the
customer remains focused on the motion process and not the
system housekeeping tasks. Our software is compatible with

Our expertise in all facets of the motion system – controls,
drives, motors, and mechanics – allows us to understand and
optimize the total system solution better than any other
manufacturer. Call us to assist you with your application
today.