RTA programmable stepper drives

RTA has launched three models of stepper drives that incorporate motion controllers and range from 24 VDC to 240 VAC supply. In many cases, this eliminates the need for a separate motion controller, reducing the cost and size of the system. An added advantage is that the programming language used is specially designed for motion control rather than the standard PLC-based languages.

Several motion programs can be loaded into the drive and stored. A program is selected using dedicated inputs in BCD and run using a Start input. The drives run standalone so it is not necessary to have a computer or PLC connected at all times. The drives also have several digital I/Os, a datum switch input and emergency stop input.

For multiaxis machines, up to 48 drives can be linked on a single serial line. Several instructions are available such as indexed run with or without ramp, free run with or without ramp, run with programmable braking distance, time delays, conditional jump, For/Next loop and programming in absolute or relative coordinates. Some drives have an optional analog speed control via an external potentiometer or an analog DC voltage.