Machine Automation Controller
last update: April 22, 2024
[Problem]
To increase yield, it is necessary to analyze data (e.g., temperature, pressure, and flow rate) accurately for finding optimal processing conditions and to feed the analysis results back to machines in real time.
Since accurate analysis requires fast and accurate collection of high‐resolution data in chronological order, the amount of data is so large that the data transfer to databases becomes a bottleneck.
[NX5]
With approximately four times the data transfer capability of the previous model *1, NX5 can transfer all of the increasing amount of high‐resolution production data to a database at high speeds.
NX5 also ref lects results of database analysis in processing conditions in real time, contributing to defect prevention and yield improvement.
*1. NJ5 Machine Automation Controller
High-speed
database communications
NX-HAD High-speed Analog Input Unit Sampling as fast as every 5 μs
NX-HTC Advanced Temperature Control Unit Temperature control with 0.01°C resolution
[Problem]
As processing is becoming more and more precise, high‐frequency collection of diverse data is required in order to improve product quality early on while maintaining fast equipment cycle times.
Another challenge is insufficient communication bandwidth when the increasing amount of data is transferred to a PC or other system.
[NX5]
NX5 can update command values to send to servomotors and stepper motors as fast as every 250 μs, enabling smooth cam motion, and high‐precision interpolation and phase adjustment between axes.
In addition, NX5 can collect data from all EtherCAT® I/O synchronously with less than 1 μs jitter.
Up to four EtherNet/IP units, whose maximum allowed communications bandwidth per uni t is 40,000 pps, can be mounted to NX5, coping with high‐capacity communications. Fast cycle times can be maintained, and product quality can be improved early.
10 x 1 Gbps ports for high-speed, high-capacity communications
Controls 32 axes with cycle time of 250 μs
[Problem]
Amid technological innovation such as EV and digital devices, manufacturers need to cope with rapid demand changes by building flexible equipment.
They design software, hardware, and networks in a modular manner in order to efficiently change or add production lines and processes, especially large production lines.
However, network power supply for all processes must be turned of f for change or addi tion because safety communications are configured within the same network segment. This affects a wide area, thereby prolonging lead time.
[NX5]
NX5 enables you to modularize network configurations including safety as well as software and hardware.
Since a process to change is localized, you can adjust and check only the process without stopping the entire line.
In addition, up to 8 separate networks and 254 safety connections allow a large production line to be flexibly built.
These benef its signif icantly reduce lead time for line changes.
Safety control between machines Up to 10 separate networks
High-speed synchronous safety control in machine
254 connections
[Problem]
Reduction in time required to set up and reliably operate a new machine is always a challenge. It is time- consuming to solve problems that are hard to be reproduced.
Defects and line stoppages during mass production need to be addressed quickly to improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
[NX5]
NX5 comes with the Automation Playback function as standard, collecting and playing back control behavior data to allow you to quickly identify problems that are hard to be reproduced.
You can reliably use NX5 during mass production because data collection does not affect the control period.
Causes of problems can be quickly analyzed from huge amounts of playback data. This shortens the time required for finding the causes, contributing to increase in machine availability.
Control-first architecture and multi-core MPU
Easy reproduction using variable data and recording data
*1. Recording time and quality depend on the specifications of the network camera.
Playback data search
Jump to and reproduce time when variable value changed
Output causal search
Visualize cause of outputting variable
・ Controls 32 axes with cycle time of 250 μs
・ Used motion control servo axes : 256, 128, 64, 32, 16 axes
・ Program capacity : 80 MB
・ Memory capacity for variables : 260 MB*1
*1. Total value of retain attribute memory and no retain attribute memory
SQL functionality
・ Reliable, rapid, and easy direct access to databases and utilization of production data
MQTT support
・ Direct connection to cloud for easy, fast, and secure data collection
OPC UA functionality
・ Secure connection to IT systems such as MES and ERP
Expanded EtherNet/IP
・ 10 x 1 Gbps ports for high‐speed, high‐capacity communications (when connecting four NX‐EIP201 units)
Fail Safe over EtherCAT (FSoE)
・ High speed and high reliability with redundancy, suitable for safety control in machine
・ 254 connections for large and flexible production line
Common Industrial Protocol Safety (CIP Safety)
・ High scalability, suitable for safety control across production line
・ Up to 10 separate networks for network modularization
last update: April 22, 2024