PLCopen releases motion specification

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.