Design Features
Network drives through a high-speed serial interface to coordinate up to ten axes of motion
Coordinate motion using up to five independent tasks
Drive and control linear or rotary brushless, DC brush servo, and micro-stepping motors
Command various motion types including: point-to-point, linear and circular interpolation, electronic gearing, and velocity profiling
Program in AeroBasic, Microsoft .NET (C#, VB.NET, C, and C++/CLI), LabVIEW, MATLAB
Remotely command drives over Ethernet or RS-232 with an ASCII interface available for both Windows and non-Windows programs (including Linux)
Diagnose, tune, and program through an advanced Windows-based interface
CE approved and NRTL safety certification; follows the 2011/65/EU RoHS 2 Directive
Fully compatible with EPICS set of software tools and applications, making Ensemble ideal for use in synchrotron and general laboratory facilities
Allen-Bradley EtherNet/IP interface provides full integration with the Ensemble; program the Ensemble directly from RSLogix 5000
Output power range of 10 A peak
The Ensemble® is Aerotech’s next-generation, multi-axis controller for moderate- to high-performance applications. Versatility, power, and affordability make the Ensemble ideal for applications from basic laboratory experimentation and general-purpose positioning to advanced OEM systems.
Versatile, Flexible, Stand-Alone Multi-Axis Control
Network multiple Ensemble HLe/ML combination controllers/drives for up to ten axes of coordinated motion, and seamlessly mix and match amplifiers (linear and PWM) and motor types (brush, brushless, and stepper) within the same positioning system using a common programming and control platform. High-accuracy linear motor air-bearing stages or lower precision stages with servo or stepper motors can be controlled from the linear Ensemble series. Each controller/drive can be reconfigured to accept different motors and feedback devices, allowing customers to adapt to changing system needs. Optional on-board encoder interpolation provides programmable axis resolution, including the ability to change interpolation (multiplication) values through software.
Powerful and Intuitive Programming
Monitor and control all aspects of the positioning system, no matter how complex, through the Ensemble GUI Integrated Development Environment software. An Autotuning utility minimizes startup time by allowing easy optimization of motion axes. Functional programs that can be modified and used in customer applications are included in the online Help. Pre-coded LabVIEW® VIs, AeroBasic™ programming functionality, MATLAB® library, .NET tools for C#, VB.NET and C++/CLI or C make the Ensemble even easier to use. See the Ensemble Control home page for detailed information on software capabilities and ordering options.
Advanced DSP Control
The processing power of a 225 MHz double precision, floating-point DSP supplies exceptional performance in a variety of applications including point-to-point motion, linear and circular interpolation, multi-axis error correction, 2D error mapping, direct commutation of linear and rotary brushless servomotors, and on-board servo autotuning. High-speed interrupts and data logging capabilities provide a real-time link to external systems. The Ensemble HLe/ML controller/drive combination also offers high-speed position latching capability and single-, dual-, or triple-axis PSO (Position Synchronized Output), depending on model. Whether the requirement is simple point-to-point motion or complex velocity-profiled contours with output on the fly, Ensemble ensures peak performance for critical operations.
Enhancing a Legacy of Success
Ensemble carries forward a legacy of success that originated in Aerotech’s A3200 and Soloist™ controllers. Enhanced capabilities make it an obvious choice for aggressive motion control applications. The Ensemble motion control architecture builds upon the Soloist™ intuitive graphical user interface, while improving multi-axis control through advanced features.
Allen-Bradley Interface
Combine proven PLC with proven motion control for easier integration, startup, and maintenance of medium- and high-end automation projects. The Aerotech EtherNet/IP™ interface enables AB PLCs (MicroLogix, CompactLogix™, or ControlLogix) to be integrated directly with the Ensemble. Motion can be directly programmed in the RSLogix 5000 environment or separate programs can be written on the controller and triggered from the AB PLC. Aerotech has two interfaces: ASCII and Register. Choose the PLC, motion controller, and interface that best fits your application needs.
EPICS Drivers
Each Ensemble installation includes full compatibility with the EPICS open source distributed control system. EPICS is used worldwide at leading light source (synchrotron) facilities and other government laboratories, allowing Ensemble to seamlessly integrate into applications at all major research institutions.
