Trio launches servo package to create plug-and-play motion solution
Motion control specialist, Trio Motion Technology, a member of the Estun Group, has expanded on its motion controller range with the launch of a servo drive and motor package. OEMs can now benefit from Trio’s specialist motion control performance with a complete plug-and-play solution, enabling faster machine development and optimum cost effectiveness.
The launch of the new DX4 servo drive and MX servo motor series expands Trio’s machine solution and now makes it faster and easier for OEMs to utilize the high performance motion control available from Trio’s range of Motion Coordinators. The DX4 servo drive has plug-and-play compatibility with Trio’s controllers and slice I/O systems, all programmed within a single software, Motion Perfect 5. This increases the speed of application development and commissioning for OEMs in industries including packaging, medical, metal, CNC, robotics and 3C. The DX4 servo drive operates at 200V AC and power extends from 50W to 3kW.
Trio’s specialization in high performance motion control enables machine builders to achieve optimum productivity. Utilizing high speed EtherCAT communications, the Motion Coordinator range can control up to 128 axes with precision accuracy. Developed over more than 30 years of motion control expertise, Trio’s Motion-iX technology core encapsulates a motion-first approach, capable of complex kinematics within a powerful application programming interface (API). Trio’s open communications mean that the performance of its controllers can connect to factory automation across the primary Ethernet-based protocols.
The new DX4 servo drive extends high control performance to the motor shaft, achieving fast and accurate positioning with the matched MXL low inertia and MXM medium inertia servo motors. The drive features Ether CAT update rates down to 125μs and 350% overload for high dynamic applications, as well as functional safety dual STO (SIL3, PLe). The motors host 23-bit absolute multi-turn capability for increased positioning accuracy.
High performance motion control as well as servo drive and motor precision are rapidly achieved through the Motion Perfect 5 software. Plug-and-play functionality instantly identifies the drive and motor for easy configuration, and accurate motor performance is quickly achieved using tools including adaptive autotuning and anti-resonance features. 
For motion programming, Motion Perfect 5 flexibly supports IEC 61131-3 languages and PLCopen to enable development to suit all programming backgrounds. The Windows-based software includes an oscilloscope for up to 8 channels as well as a digital twin visualization tool. The 3D offline simulation speeds up development by validating motion control before it is physically deployed. This technology is particularly useful for complex control such as robotics, and Motion Perfect 5 can be used to program robots with up to six axes.
The new DX4 servo drive is highly compact. It has amongst the lowest footprint available across each of its three versions, which span 50W – 400W, 750W – 1.5kW and 2kW – 3kW. With a slim frontal area and zero stacking gap, space saving advantages are further emphasized for higher axis counts. Reduced dimensions are also achieved by retaining
additional control functionality within the Motion Coordinator and I/O slices, instead of including it within a more sizeable, complex drive. Compact footprint is an established benefit of Trio’s Motion Coordinator range, for example the Flex-6 Nano, which controls up to 64 axes, is literally pocket-sized.
Trio’s motion control solution is also scalable and additional functionality can be quickly added when required. Flex slice I/O modules covering a broad range of control functionality are easily clicked into place and programmed through Motion Perfect 5.
Scalable functionality has also been designed for cost effectiveness and the OEM only pays for the capabilities they need, according to Trio’s design principle of ‘everything you need and nothing more’. As a result, the DX4 servo drive doesn’t require additional functionality onboard which significantly reduces cost and even greater savings are evident as axis count increases. The Motion Perfect 5 software is available free of charge and the competitively priced Motion Coordinators mean that Trio offers the lowest cost-per-axis motion control at 64 axes.
About Trio Motion Technology
Trio Motion Technology was founded in the UK in 1987 as a manufacturer of motion controllers. Today the range, branded Motion Coordinators, can control up to 128 axes of servo, stepper and piezo motors as well as hydraulic systems. Trio’s expertise of motion programming is based within its Motion-iX technology. Launch of the new servo drive and motor package now develops Trio’s offering into a motion solution in addition to providing motion controllers for automation vendors and system integrators.
The company headquarters is based in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, UK, which also comprises its primary research and development hub. Additional R&D facilities are located in Italy, Bulgaria, and also China, where Trio’s products are assembled. Application development teams are located in the UK, India, USA, Italy and China, and a global sales network comprises over 100 partners.
In 2017 Trio was acquired by the Estun Group, which is supporting Trio in its growth with assistance through shared facilities and R&D as well as financial backing. Trio has exceeded 15% growth year on year since the acquisition. In addition to the primary global markets, a significant proportion of Trio’s business is in China where the company’s motion control capability has enabled Estun to become a major player in the China automation market. Despite the presence of the Estun brand, motion control products in China carry Trio branding.
Launch of the DX4 is symbolic of the collaboration between Trio’s engineers and the wider Estun Group. Lead by Trio’s domain expertise in motion control, the launch has delivered a jointly developed servo system, specifically optimised for superior performance in motion applications.
About Trio India
Trio India was established in Pune in 2010 to introduce high performance motion control to OEMs in India. Today, Trio India focuses on industries including packaging machinery, machine tools and textiles. Within the packaging sector, Trio is India’s market leader for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) food packaging machines, and expertise also includes pharmaceutical industry packaging.
With its headquarters in Pune, Trio India has a 7,000 square foot state of the art facility that includes a training suite as well as a robotics & machinery lab. Trio has coverage across India with offices in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Banguluru, Delhi and Mumbai and customer support is also available 24-hours a day. Trio India has 24 employees including application engineers, maintenance engineers, sales, accounts, administration and logistics.
About Motion-iX
At the heart of every Trio Motion Coordinator is Trio’s Motion-iX core. Motion-iX is Trio’s powerful motion engine and encapsulates over three decades of experience within an intuitive API that delivers optimal motion performance for machine designers. This motion-first technology consistently leads to advantages in machine productivity and precision over more general automation solutions.
Motion-iX is capable of simple and advanced motion trajectory profiling, including common robot kinematics, with all motion commands accessible through an easy to use API allowing rapid and scalable motion application development. Engineers can use a variety of high level IEC 61131-3 languages and tools including PLCopen function blocks for OEMs looking for a standards-based programming solution.
About Estun Group
Estun started its activity in 1993 in Nanjing, China as a manufacturer of control systems for metal forming machinery. Today the company comprises six business groups focussing on automation and robotics, distributed around the world. Estun reported 2018 global sales figures at $230 and has more than 40% growth rate in recent years.
Estun is one of China’s tier one robot manufacturers and has a 100,000 m2 robot manufacturing facility, as well as a servo drive and motor manufacturing plant. The company is operated with an Automation Business Group, focused on machine performance, and a Robotics Business Group, based on on turn-key factory projects including robotics and automation.
Estun’s acquisition strategy is one of collaboration over assimilation with many of its acquisitions being less than 100%. The spirit of collaboration also extends into key partnerships with suppliers and customers for mutual benefit.
Estun’s business groups comprise:
• Estun (100% ownership), specialists in robotics, China headquarters;
• Trio Motion Technology (100% ownership), specialists in motion control technology, UK headquarters;
• Cloos (100% ownership), specialists in welding technology and welding robots, Germany headquarters;
• Euclid Labs (25% ownership), specialists in 3D vision technology for robot applications, Italy headquarters;
• MAI (52% ownership), specialists in production cells using robotics, Germany headquarters;
• Barrett Technology (52% ownership), specialists in special purpose robotic manipulators, USA headquarters.
For more details please contact
Trio Motion Technology India Pvt.Ltd.
sshah@triomotion.com
www.triomotion.com
