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COMAU Robots use POWERLINK

The C5G control unit for user-friendly and efficient multi-purpose management of the entire SMART5 Comau Robot range can handle robots configured with up to 16 interpolated axes. For their control with outstanding dynamics and precision, Comau created a modular design using B&R ACOPOSmulti intelligent servo drives and fast communication via POWERLINK. This real-time network backbone also connects a set of modular digital and analog I/O mod-ules from the B&R X20 series and a powerful Automation PC with dual-core processor that handles data transfer from the office world as well as hand-held programming devices.
The Comau Robotics S.p.A. ranges among the major players in the manufactur-ing of high quality industrial robots. With a combination of high speed and precision as well as outstandingly versatile kinematics, Comau robots cover a wide area of applications, predominantly in the automotive and general industry. “In automotive plants performing body welding there is a large amount of elec-tromagnetic interference, so EMC stability is absolutely essential for their com-munication networks. We at COMAU Robotics have thousands of robots in the field operating with complete reliability. That-s why Comau trusts in POWERLINK,” says Ing. Giorgio Alotto, Hardware Engineering Manager at Comau – Robotics Business Line.
“With POWERLINK as the core communication technology, Comau robots are offering an outstanding combination of speed and precision for complex applications,” says Stefan Schönegger, Managing Director of the Ethernet POWERLINK Standardization Group. “This innovative real-time Ethernet proto-col allows fast synchronization of numerous axis movements, not only within a robot, but including auxiliary equipment or integrating multi-robot cells.”
Since Comau-s first robot and control hit the market in 1978, no less than ten complete generations of robots for various purposes have been launched. Obviously, in these past 35 years that were characterized by fast and often revolutionary development in microelectronics, the robots- mechanical design was not the only subject of change. Comau was a pioneer of wireless data transfer for its teaching pendant, and robot control units by that manufacturer are now in their fifth generation.
About EPSG
The Ethernet POWERLINK Standardization Group (EPSG) is an independent organization founded in 2003 by leading companies from the fields of motion control and automation technology. Its aims are the standardization and further development of the POWERLINK protocol first introduced by B&R in 2001. This high-performance real-time communication system is an advanced protocol based on the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet standard designed to ensure real-time data transfer in the microsecond range. The EPSG cooperates with leading standardization organizations such as CAN in Automation (CiA) and the IEC. Anton Meindl, business manager of Controls at B&R, is the organization-s CEO.