Design Features

• Complete motion capabilities include: point-to-point; linear, circular, helical and spherical interpolation; velocity profiling; electronic gearing; on-the-fly trajectory modification; high speed I/O; camming

• 1 to 32 axes of scalable, synchronized motion

• Utilizes the power of the PC to eliminate the motion control card

• Uses commercially available FireWire determinism for communications between drives and controller

• Programmable in native RS-274 G-code, AeroBasic command set, C, C++/CLI, .NET, MATLAB, or LabVIEW for flexibility

• Runs brushless servo, brush, stepper or voice coil

Aerotech’s ground-breaking motion, vision, robotics and I/O platform, the A3200 (or Automation 3200), is used in many applications in semiconductor, data storage, medical laser processing, automotive and machine tool industries. The system features a high-performance, software-only motion controller (Nmotion^® SMC) that offers 32 axes of synchronized motion control. It is the successor to Aerotech’s performance-leading and widely utilized UNIDEX 500 and 600 PC-based motion controllers. The Nmotion^® SMC retains the best features of these previous motion controllers and combines them with an advanced, high-performance distributed control architecture to produce a truly state-of-the-art motion, vision, robotics and I/O platform.

The A3200 digital automation platform represents a revolutionary advancement over traditional PC-bus-based motion controllers. The A3200 is software-based (no PC slots required) and marries a robust, high performance motion engine with vision, robotics and I/O in one unified programming environment. The A3200 utilizes the industry standard FireWire^® (IEEE-1394) network to provide from 1 to 32 axes of synchronized control with no degradation in performance as the axis count increases.

The integration of multiple common automation tools into a single platform provides users the ability to integrate, develop and maintain the system faster, with lower cost than ever before. For instance, coupling the vision module with the motion system that coordinates a cutting process (laser, drill, mill, etc.) provides the ability to identify the workpiece and its position, and to adjust the position and signal to the cutter all within one system. This integration dramatically reduces wiring and the necessary components, which not only lowers integration and setup cost but also increases reliability.

The Automation 3200 addresses a major shortcoming of today’s multi-axis controllers: as axes are added, performance markedly degrades as either the servo update time or program execution time increases. The Automation 3200 utilizes a distributed control architecture that enables it to maintain performance independent of the number of axes being controlled. It accomplishes this by avoiding the processing bottleneck caused by today’s common single processor control architecture. Position, velocity and current loop closure are handled by Aerotech’s Intelligent Network Drive. Trajectory generation is done on the PC using a real-time operating system that runs with higher priority than Windows^®. The PC executes programs and sends the position commands to the Ndrive via the FireWire^® high-speed serial bus.

All of the external signals including encoder and I/O are fed directly into the drive, allowing one cable to be used between the PC and the drive. Drives are networked together with a single cable.

In designing the Automation 3200, Aerotech decided that its next generation controller had to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional ±10 V network interface. While still viable for many applications, ±10 V has shortcomings, particularly when complex motion control is involved such as is common in many Aerotech applications. For example, noise coupling onto the analog signals can cause instability in the servo loop that prevents high system bandwidth. Also, with the ±10 V command, the controller doesn't have knowledge of how well the current loops are tracking. With these and other shortcomings, it was decided that the next generation controller had to utilize a high-speed serial interface.

Digital networks, such as Ethernet and RS-232, are widely used in many different industries. Other newer networks such as FireWire^® and USB are becoming increasingly popular. For example, nearly all new computers now have these interfaces as standard.

With a variety of digital networks available, Aerotech developed a list of criteria that the Automation 3200 network interface had to possess. The following list details the key criteria we used to ultimately select FireWire^® and why those criteria were considered important.

SynqNet™ is a registered trademark of Motion Engineering.
FireWire^® is a registered trademark of Apple Computer.

A3200-iPC Intelligent Industrial PC

All A3200-iPC Intelligent Industrial PCs are shipped with a fully tested and verified installation of Aerotech’s A3200 software-based motion controller operating in a 64-bit Windows10^®^operating system. The A3200-iPC is ready to work right out of the box — apply power, connect the drives, and start developing. You’ll waste no more time on PC selection, operating system activation/configuration, controller installation, and managing deliveries from multiple vendors. Get started on integrating your value-added process as soon as you open the box. Get more information including specifications, CADs, and ordering information HERE.

EtherCAT Fieldbus

EtherCAT I/O is tightly integrated into the A3200 automation machine controller. Devices are configured with the card setup tool that generates the Fieldbus network topology definition. The user can then map the I/O with meaningful tag names that are available for use in the AeroBasic™ programming language directly, as well as in any of the applications such as the Scope or Motion Composer. Get more information including specifications and ordering information HERE.

PROFINET Fieldbus

PROFINET I/O is tightly integrated into the A3200 automation machine controller. Devices are configured with the card setup tool that generates the Fieldbus network topology definition. The user can then map the I/O with meaningful tag names that are available for use in the AeroBasic™ programming language directly, as well as in any of the applications such as the Scope or Motion Composer. Get more information including specifications and ordering information HERE.

WAGO Modules

WAGO I/O is tightly integrated into the A3200 automation machine controller. Devices are modular and can be stacked together as needed. The user maps the I/O with meaningful Tag names that are available for use in the AeroBasic™ programming language directly, as well as in any of the applications such as the Digital Scope and Motion Composer. Get more information including specifications and ordering information HERE.

A3200-OEM/Nservo-OEM

A3200-OEM/Nservo-OEM packages Aerotech’s flagship Automation Machine Controller software with an OEM-style control card for a cost-effective solution in high-volume applications. Get more information including specifications, CADs and ordering information HERE.

Integrated Automation Solutions Brochure

For complete information on our advanced motion controls, software, drives, and other automation solutions, please see our Integrated Motion and Machine Control Solutions brochure. You can download a pdf or order a hard-copy HERE.

A3200 Applications

• Ion Beam Welding

• Fiber Bragg Gratings

• Fiber Optic Alignment

• Image Duplication

• Holographic Mastering

• Electronics Assembly and Inspection

• Mask & Memory Repair

• Mask Alignment

• Electron Microscopes

• Smart Vision Systems

• Inertial Sensor Testing

• Non-Destructive Testing

• Seismic Data Collection

• ABS Testing

• Head Gimbal Assembly (HGA) & Inspection

• Head Stack Assembly (HSA) & Inspection

• Motion Simulators

• Thin-Film Manufacturing

• Sensor Pointing

Specifications

Motion Composer Specifications

Automation 3200 uses Motion Composer to create motion trajectories. Below are the specifications for the software.

Standard Motion Composer Suite

Optional Motion Composer Modules

Optional Controller Modules

.NET Library Classes

Nmotion^® SMC Specifications

PC Requirements and Configuration

Aerotech supplies free support for A3200 installation if you purchase an Aerotech industrial PC (Automation Motion Server products) or an approved PC from the supplier list that follows.

PCs Approved for A3200 Installation

Notes:

1. Advantech PCs are also orderable through Arrow (www.arrow.com) by using the Advantech part number.

2. Advantech PCs are recommended for all A3200 6.03 and newer systems.

3. When using the A3200 FireWire network, use a FireWire PCI card (Siig P/N: NN-400012-S8, Aerotech P/N: NFIRE-PCI). The card is not included with the PC.

4. When using the A3200 HyperWire fiber optic network, a HyperWire PCIe card must be purchased from Aerotech. This card is not included with the PC.

5. To correctly configure the PC, Refer to Optimizing PC Performance.

Support Costs for Other PCs

• Before you install the A3200, Aerotech can evaluate your PC for compatibility for a fixed fee (paid in advance of receipt of PC). However, we can not guarantee the compatibility of the evaluated PC due to a wide variety of hardware and software configurations that are out of our direct control.

• After you install the A3200 on a PC that is not approved, Aerotech can help to resolve problems with the PC configuration. Phone/email support for PC’s not sent to Aerotech is billed at an hourly rate (1 hour minimum). We will attempt to resolve any configuration issues, but can not guarantee that we will resolve the problem.

Recommended PC Specifications

Aerotech cannot guarantee the real-time capabilities of a PC that is not approved for A3200 installation because BIOS settings and chip sets are different for each motherboard manufacturer. 

1. A PC that has two physical processors is not supported. Use a PC with one processor and more than one physical core.

2. Intel Xeon processors based on the Intel Core 2 or Intel Core i3/i5/i7 architecture are supported. Intel Xeon processors based on older architectures are not supported.

3. A PC that has INtime configured is always limited to 32 cores, even when the PC has more than 32 physical cores.

4. Laptop computers are not supported. They can be used for offline debugging and simulation only. PCMCIA FireWire® cards are not supported.

5. To avoid machine disruption, Aerotech disables automatic updates on Windows PCs that are shipped from Aerotech. To customize your update settings, refer to Microsoft's Windows documentation or Aerotech's User Guide to Windows 10 Updates.

6. Aerotech recommends that you do not use high-end display adapters because they can cause interference with the A3200. Use a medium-performance onboard integrated graphics adapter or a medium-performance PCI express dedicated graphics card. For more information, refer to Optimizing PC Performance.

7. Internet Explorer is not included as part of the A3200 installation. If it is not installed on your computer, you must manually install it before you continue with the A3200 installation.

General Recommendations

• For steps to optimize the real-time environment on your PC, refer to Optimizing PC Performance, or to the A3200 software help file.

• Windows Audio can cause timing-related errors. To prevent possible problems, set the Sound Scheme in Control Panel to No Sounds.

• Do not use Dell OMCI (Open Manage Client Instrumentation) software with the A3200. Remove all OMCI software using Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.

• The A3200 must have regular access to the PCI bus to operate correctly. Frame grabbers can use too much PCI bus bandwidth and cause communication errors or motion dropouts. To prevent errors and dropouts, use a dual PC (client/server) configuration.

Recommended FireWire Cables

Software

Motion Composer

Aerotech’s latest motion controller release (download here) focuses on ease of use for the programmer, shortens development times compared with other tools and provides the flexibility to use the tools or controller most familiar to programmers. A complete Integrated Development Environment and a comprehensive .NET motion library provide classes for motion, I/O, status and diagnostic information. Program in Visual Studio and use the .NET library, or use the Motion Composer (IDE) to develop code with English-style commands or G code. A LabVIEW^® VI library is available for NI users, while a complete C library is available for those using VB6, C++/CLI or C.

Motion Composer Suite
The Motion Composer Suite includes the Motion Composer IDE, Digital Scope, Configuration Manager, Console, Status Utility and Firmware Loader. Optional modules include the CNC Operator’s Interface, Motion Designer, Dynamic Controls Toolbox and Enhanced Throughput Module.

Key Function of Each Module
The Motion Composer is an environment for developing and debugging AeroBasic programs for controllers, and also functions as a simple operator's interface for the developer. The Motion Composer can be used to perform the following tasks:

• Write and debug programs – use breakpoint, step into, step over, colorized programming and standard program control (start, stop, pause, compile, etc.)

• Program flow control – If constructs, Looping constructs, Subroutines, Command basic motion

• Inspect diagnostic information

• Perform basic configuration

Learn more about Motion Composer Suite

Standard Motion Composer Suite Includes:

• Motion Composer

• Configuration Manager

• Digital Scope

• Console

• System Diagnostics (Status Utility)

• Firmware Loader

Optional Motion Composer Modules

• CNC Operator Interface

• Motion Designer

• Motion Simulator

• Dynamic Controls Toolbox

• Enhanced Throughput Module

• Enhanced Tracking Control

Ordering Information

Ordering Example

Ordering Options

Automation 3200 Software

License

Axes

Note: Old part number – NMotion SMC-nn

Controller Options

Motion Composer (MC) Options

FireWire Cable

Maintenance