Sign Wave motion of linear actuator

[lamboom 7]

Back in the days before digital computers, hydraulic rams with position feedback, were often controlled by servo amplifiers receiving an analog signal. The amplifier then controlled a servo valve, which ported high pressure oil to one side of the ram or the other, proportionally, in order to make the ram follow the analog signal precisely. Today we have very powerful electric actuators, controlled by computers. What I would like to do is control a not so powerful actuator, (originally intended for positioning, using a pulse motor and a simple controller for trapezoidal motion histories to get from A to B and so on..) like the IAI RCP2 Robo Cylinders .. to move just like that hydraulic ram. With a controller that accepts an an analog input just like that servo amplifier. IAI makes nothing like that. The RCP2 can be controlled by pulse chains ... and there are PLCs out there that produce pulse chains. But, is there anything out there that can accept an analog signal from a wave generator .. and produce the pulse chains that would drive the RCP2? note: I have another topic running similar to this one ... analog input to the motor controller was suggested... so, I launched this thread, to see if it's possible.

[b_carlton 61]

Try these http://www.axiomatic.com/TD2002AX.pdf http://www.axiomatic.com/TD2016AX.pdf or perhaps something like this http://www.omega.com/DAS/pdf/drp-8500.pdf Edited 18 Feb 2012 by b_carlton

[lamboom 7]

Thanks for the info.. Axiomatics (I believe) only vary the pulse width as a function of analog input .. I'm not sure how to connect that to the RCP2 actuator.. unless I'm mistaken, the Pulse motor varys its speed based on the number of pulses per time, rather than the pulse width. The Omega looks interesting.. I'll check those out.

[Peter Nachtwey 15]

Our RMC100 has a stepper output module. It can generate sinusoidal motion profiles as well as point to point moves with s-curves. I think it would be better to stick with analog control. Then there are more options.