This is Part II of a three-part series on laser processing with modular control. Read Part I and Part III.
Laser processing puts additional hardware requirements onto an automation system, and the system designer needs to be aware of the input and output needs of connecting a laser to a controller. In theory, every time a system integrator designs a new system with advanced laser control abilities, the system integrator must take the input/output capability of the master controller or the master drive unit into consideration.
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This is frustrating because the focus shifts from the servo performance required to the laser connection functionality. Typically, the machine builder has to literally rebuild the entire control system to take account of these additional requirements. This may involve replacing the first drive unit with a physically larger, much more complex and more expensive drive that combines such capabilities (Figure 1). This can have a significant impact on cost, including time for redesigning the system, additional hardware, stock of spare parts and larger electrical cabinets. Modular design
A laser control interface (LCI) introduces a way to construct motion systems, based on the EtherCAT industrial network. It does not rely on encoder data and allows drives to select specified axis requirements. This approach offers system integrators, particularly those who are new to the field, a way to expand capabilities when it comes to laser control and gives them the flexibility to add high-performance, multi-axis capabilities only when they are needed, greatly simplifying the system architecture of the drives.