Delta Motion, industrial motion control provider, has partnered with software provider acontis technologies to offer EtherCAT MainDevice capability to its RMC200 motion controller. By partnering with acontis technologies and leveraging its software suite, Delta Motion has implemented a full-featured and highly flexible product. The addition of EtherCAT MainDevice capability to the RMC200 is designed to offer flexibility for connecting to and controlling any devices needed for hydraulic and electric motion control in industrial applications.
Turning to acontis, Delta Motion found the competency, product portfolio and responsive support it seeked, enabling Delta to tailor the software. With acontis’ 20-year track record in EtherCAT technology and ongoing maintenance and updates of its software, Delta is confident this will be an enduring partnership.
“Delta is known for providing the best possible combination of performance and ease of use,” said Steve Nylund, CEO of Delta Motion. “We wanted our EtherCAT implementation to be as user-friendly and robust as our customers have come to expect from Delta. Teaming up with acontis technologies was crucial for achieving this, and our engineers were pleased with their responsiveness and support during the integration process. Initial response to the product has confirmed that we are meeting our high standards.”
Acontis has put decades of testing and field experience into its EC-Master EtherCAT MainDevice stack. Delta’s integration of the stack into the RMC200 has undergone beta testing with a range of customers and applications. These trials allowed Delta Motion to fine-tune the EtherCAT implementation. Multiple firmware updates during the beta phase incorporated real-world feedback.
“Our beta testers played a crucial role in helping us refine the EtherCAT modules capabilities,” said Nylund. “The feedback we received confirmed that our solution delivers exceptional performance and reliability right out of the gate.”
The RMC200 is designed to handle up to 50 axes of position and pressure control and support any combination of directly connected and EtherCAT I/O. For example, on machines incorporating both hydraulic and electric motion, users may choose EtherCAT-enabled drives for electric axes, paired with traditional directly connected servo-proportional valves and feedback sensors for the hydraulic axes.
“Electric drives with EtherCAT often provide significant advantages with no cost adder, while the benefits for other devices depend on the application,” said Nylund. “Our goal is to give our customers the capability to implement best-in-class systems.”
