Basingstoke, U. K., July 26, 2023 – Aerotech, a global leader in precision
motion control and automation, makes the Automation1 motion control platform
more powerful and user friendly with every release. Version 2.5 brings a TCP
socket interface (beta), Automation1 MachineApps HMI developments, new motor
setup helper modules, Machine Setup improvements for galvo laser scan heads
and more.
“Automation1 continues to improve at a rapid pace, enabling our users to do
more,” said Daniel Hong, a Controls Product Manager at Aerotech Inc. “Its
innovative design allows us to continually deliver new levels of control for
our users.”
Recent developments in the Automation1 motion control platform include:
– TCP Socket Interface – The TCP socket interface (beta) allows users to
communicate between the Automation1 controller and other devices over TCP.
New AeroScript socket functions make it easy to interact with other nodes on
a computer network and provide the ability to send and receive binary and
UTF-8 string data.
– Customizable HMI – Automation1’s Access Control feature now allows users
to customize access to specific MachineApps, making it easy for developers
to create different MachineApps and limit access to specific HMI screens
based on users or groups. The new MachineApps Camera Module makes it
possible to display a live video feed with optional crosshairs, capture
images, display saved images and view axes’ positions. With the new Message
Log Viewer, users can write custom date- and time-stamped messages to the
Message Log and view them in their custom HMI.
– New and Improved Graphical Helper Modules – The Motor Hall and Signal
Status module helps users visually verify proper hall sensor operation. The
Absolute Encoder Alignment module helps to set an offset in motor
commutation often required for axes that have absolute encoders. Additional
improvements have been made to other Studio application modules, including
the Frequency Response module’s loop shaping controls, the Homing module and
the Programming module.
– Laser Scan Head Improvements – Users can now change galvo calibration and
galvo power correction files without resetting the controller. Support for
higher-derivative feedforward control was added with snap feedforward. Laser
scan head drives now interpolate feedforward current automatically, making
this feature simpler to use.
– Improved Gantry and Encoder Features – Expanded support for gantries
includes a new homing configuration wizard and the ability to output
quadrature or clock and direction signals from a specified encoder port.
– Increased Documentation and Smoother Setup – Gantry setup is easier than
ever thanks to a Checklist sidebar module that provides specific steps for
configuring a gantry. Gantry configuration is now more streamlined within
the Device Catalog, too. Automation1 help documentation now features full
documentation for the C API.
