Configurators Make a Comeback

Online tools that help engineers select the right components and devices for the systems or work cells they’re designing have been popular for years. But there has been little news within recent memory of significant advances made in this area.

Now, based on new announcements from Festo and Parker Hannifin, it appears that configuration tools are making a bit of a comeback in terms of bringing new levels of functionality to engineers. While these new configuration tools remain, essentially, the kind of product selector guides we’re very familiar with, their application goes a step further than typical online configuration tools.

在Parker Hannifin的情况下，它Virtual Engineermotion control design tool appears to be a basic configurator in that users enter their application specifications—such as speed, load, external forces, axis orientation and motion profiles—and are then guided toward accurately sized product options. What happens next is what differentiates the Virtual Engineer from more common online configuration tools. Once the user selects the product(s) needed, the Virtual Engineer delivers a custom specification report, CAD models, and a ready-to-issue request for quote.

Other Virtual Engineer features include product life estimation, a “compare” function for multiple products, and a “My Projects” area that allows engineers to create, save and share projects for future reference. at a later date.

在其他配置器新闻中，Festo宣布它已经扩展了它的能力在线处理指南for designing Cartesian robots. The added dimension here is that the Online Handling Guide’s new capabilities address the robot’s controller as well as the corresponding control cabinet, components and wiring. According to Festo, control cabinets designed using the Online Handling Guide will arrive fully wired and ready to be installed. “The OEM simply adds power, Ethernet connection, I/O and wiring to the gantry motors,” says Festo in its release announcing the configurator’s new capabilities.

The release from Festo also notes that OEMs can use a function block to fill in key motion parameters on the configured control cabinet. “No specialized or manufacturer-specific programming knowledge is required,” says Festo. “Basic motion can be taught through a web server or iOS or Android app.”

只有两年前开始运营，Festo的在线处理指南最初配备了负载，循环时间，负载电压和工作空间大小的基本应用信息。这些参数使工程师能够指定单轴，2D或3D笛卡尔机器人，并在大约20分钟内接收机器人的CAD绘图，其中引号在48小时内交付。OEM可选择订购龙门架完全组装或作为拆卸模块。

通过在线处理指南输送的控制柜是Festo的运动控制包（FMCP）-A控制系统，用于协调运动，可为拾取和其他高速精密笛卡尔主机应用的协调运动。据该公司称，这款预期和即可安装的控制系统为H-Portal，T-Portal，2D和3D Festo标准龙门系统提供了运动学。Festo注意到FMCP与所有领先的控制架构兼容，以便于集成。

FMCP提供：

• A complete robotic solution through a single part number that includes motion controller and accessories.
• 具有第4类安全扭矩OFF（STO / SS1类型C）的预先终端UL508A认证的CABIINET。通过通过重型连接器穿过机柜底部的所有信号来预先推向每个电动机控制器。
• 预配置的电动机控制器 - 每个轴带有轴配置，电机参数和IP地址。
• 具有标准化功能块的多轴控制，内插运动和现场总线集成。控制器可以充当与更高级别系统的单一连接，显着降低IT基础架构中的IP地址数量。

The FMCP can also be used to address robotic end-of-arm-tooling. Via its IO-Link connection, the FMCP can reportedly control eight external digital inputs and eight digital outputs within the standard function block.