With a view to mechanical engineering, the company, which was founded in 2010, is expanding its integrated drive systems from the 'Link' series with the extended 'Actilink' version. The 'Link' systems each comprise a drive controller from the 'Somanet Drive Node' series, an encoder and, if necessary, additional sensors, a PMSM motor with brake and a reducer. As solutions for fully integrated motion axes, they are ready to install and are suitable for robot arms and drives for automated guided vehicles. Their individual components can be combined according to customer requirements.

With 'Actilink', Synapticon now wants to go one step further: "We have seen the potential of our highly integrated technology for this segment in various projects with machine manufacturers," explains Synapticon Managing Director Nikolai Ensslen. "We analyzed the market accordingly and compared it with our expertise. We are now presenting the results at SPS IPC Drives in the form of our first products."

The initial 'Actilink Motion Node' portfolio comprises two series of servomotors with integrated 'Somanet Servo Node', with 60 and 80 mm flange dimensions, designed for operation at 48 V. While the 60 series covers the power range from 200 to 500 W with continuous and peak torques of up to 1.2 Nm and 5 Nm respectively, the 80 series covers the range from 600 to 1000 W with continuous and peak torques of up to 3 Nm and 12.5 Nm respectively. Both series are designed for a continuous speed of up to 3600 rpm and 6000 rpm for short periods. EtherCAT (CoE, DS 402) is used as the standard communication interface. Ethernet, Profinet and Sercos III are prepared on the hardware and software side and are available for bulk buyers as an option with customer-specific command sets.

In addition to the servomotors with integrated servo drive, 'Actilink' also includes the power supply and decentralized cabling with integrated braking resistor as a complete solution. The 'Actilink' standard version with EtherCAT communication is compatible with controllers based on software packages such as Codesys and TwinCAT. The motors are also compatible with the 'Motorcortex' motion control solution offered by Synapticon.

Reference design for small robots

With Synapticon's quick-start package, machine builders will be able to quickly produce small robots in series.

© Synapticon

With the reference design, Synapticon wants to enable machine manufacturers, among others, to quickly and easily produce robots in series production themselves. The quick-start package is based on Synapticon's 'Link 6-Axis Reference Design' (L6RD), which was originally conceived as a demonstrator. Until now, the small robot has acted as a technology carrier for the company's hardware and software. The 800 mm long and 6 kg robot arm, which is designed for fast, precise movements, does not require a control cabinet.

"With the reference design, we enable traditional machine builders to develop their own articulated arm robot solutions without a great deal of effort," emphasizes Nikolai Ensslen. The reference design includes a construction plan (CAD design), a complete bill of materials, a 2D assembly sketch, documentation and prototype test results as well as a commissioning guide. Buyers of the reference design also receive advice and support from Synapticon.