Motion and logic controller launch at SPS

Trio Motion Technology is launching a new class of controller that combines motion, robotics - and logic. The first unveiling of the controller will take place at the SPS – Smart Production Solutions exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany, Hall 1-Stand 360, 12-14 November.

The new controller will feature Trio’s advanced motion control performance with the functionality and simplicity of a PLC ... introducing Motion-PLC. For OEMs and machine designers who need motion control and machine logic, Trio’s new controller will reduce the complexity and cost of machine design.

Trio's President, Tom Alexander, says the new controller promises to be a true paradigm shift in the world of motion and factory automation.

Trio's LinkedIn channel will reveal more on Tuesday 12 November - as well as our Facebook and Instagram channels.

New Flex-7 extends control to 128 servo and robot axes

Trio is launching a new machine controller at SPS for large machines with control for up to 128 servo drive and robot axes over high-speed EtherCAT. The new quad-core Flex-7 Flexible Machine Controller increases machine automation capabilities by expanding network connectivity and data processing power.

The new Flex-7, a single controller for machine, motion, and robotics, precisely coordinates high axis counts while optimising control and integration with expanded automation systems. The multi-axis machine controller is designed for large applications in manufacturing automation, packaging, and material handling.

Providing powerful machine control, Flex-7 features high speed Ethernet to give fast, reliable data exchange, optimising communications with wider controllers and networks. This is achieved with two, 1Gbps Ethernet ports, compatible with Industrial Ethernet protocols including Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP.

Controlling up to 128 servo or robot axes, Flex-7 achieves EtherCAT update rates as fast as 125µs for up to eight axes, and the full 128 axes are coordinated with update rates down to 4ms.

A theme of Trio’s Flex controller range is compact size, and this is continued with the Flex-7. Just 51mm wide, 147mm high, and 107mm deep, the DIN rail-mounted machine controller enables simple design integration and installation.

Machine control functionality can be added directly with Trio’s range of click-in Flexslice I/O modules that communicate with the Flex-7 using EtherCAT via the Ebus interface.  Flexslice I/O slices give machine builders flexibility in adding required functionality while minimising space and cost.

Full details will be available soon on triomotion.com.

Trio opens new centre in Italy

Trio Motion Technology has expanded in Italy by opening a Sales and Applications Development Centre.

The new Italy operations hub marks Trio’s development in the European market. Located in Cardano al Campo near Milan, Trio Italy comprises a Motion Applications Development facility and product support team, as well as a Sales Centre for the country’s technical sales engineers.

Trio Italy will serve distribution partners, OEM machine builders, and systems integrators in the Italian market, developing motion-first machine automation solutions in sectors including packaging, food & beverage, and 2.5D.   

“Opening the new Trio Italy Application Development Centre will provide additional support to our customer base of machine builders in the country,” says Trio Motion Technology’s President, Tom Alexander. “Italy is an important market for Trio, and the country is a centre for sectors, such as packaging, that demand high-performance motion control systems. Our new Application Development Centre, under the management of Mauro Lavatelli, will help Trio grow in Italy.”

“Launching Trio Italy is an exciting opportunity,” says, Mauro Lavatelli, pictured above. “Our engineering team is highly experienced in motion control, drives & motors, and robotics applications development. The Italian machine build market remains strong, and we’ll be supporting our OEMs to create more productive and efficient machines.”

Safety added to servo drive and voltage increased to 480V

Trio has updated its DX3 EtherCAT servo drive with functional safety Safe Torque Off (STO), meeting safety levels SIL3 and PLe. Voltage has also been increased to 480V for both the DX3 EtherCAT model, as well as the DX3 Conventional model that supports pulse-and-direction, analogue, as well as CANopen control.

The DX3 single-axis servo drive range increases design flexibility for machine builders in a cost-optimal package. Both DX3 models are available in a 200V version that extends power from 50W to 2kW, plus the new 480V version with a power range from 1kW to 7.5kW.

The servo drive range features update rates down to just 125μs for the DX3 EtherCAT model, supported by a range of operating modes to cover a broad spectrum of applications.

The servo drive’s capability is achieved with a compact footprint, ranging from just 40mm wide, 172mm high, and 180mm deep for the 50W drive, to 90mm wide, 260mm high, and 230mm deep for the 7.5kW version. DX3 also features a zero stacking gap, enabling flush-fitting for cabinet or DIN rail mounting.

Find out more about the DX3 EtherCAT servo drive and the DX3 Conventional servo drive.

Successful USA Conference previews new technology

Trio recently hosted its USA Conference, taking place on 24-25 October in Pittsburgh, the home of Trio North America. Attracting distributors and system integrators from across the country, the Conference gave a preview of upcoming motion-first machine automation technology.

Over the course of two days, the event explored a range of topics including industry trends in automation, machine building, motion control, and robotics. The US Conference also showcased innovations in motion-first machine automation, including Trio’s new 128-axis Flex-7 Machine Controller for large machines, as well as the upcoming launch of the new motion and logic controller: Motion-PLC.

The US Conference also covered new features and capabilities in machine automation, backed up by application stories showing how Trio's technology has increased precision and productivity with robotics and motion control.

Visit triomotion.com for more information and click here to get in touch.