Version 1.0 of Function Blocks for Motion Control, developed specifically with packaging machinery in mind, is the first step toward an attempt to reduce the wide variety of incompatible motion-control systems. A less technical version of this specification, as well as a short description, is available at the PLCopen site under “What’s new.” Motion-control standardization means not only the programming language itself, but also the interface between the motion controller and the rest of the packaging machine. As a result, according to PLCopen, motion-control programming becomes less hardware dependent; the programs themselves have the potential to be reused for other applications; and the costs associated with engineering, training, and support are reduced. The OMAC Packaging Workgroup is in the process of evaluating the specification.
PLCopen releases motion specification
PLCopen, a vendor- and product-independent association supporting standardized approaches to machine control, has released a motion-control specification that it hopes will take hold in the packaging community.
Feb 28, 2002
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