Abstract

The IBM PC standard has had a great impact on motion control and machine control. The PC standard is changing as a new category of flat-panel industrial computer is gaining popularity. These industrial computer appliances are often expansion slot limited or slot-less making the solution of placing a motion controller card into the PC unfeasible. This new trend mandates the use of distributed motion controllers. Communication and controller options for distributed controllers are discussed for different controller categories including a new category, the motion control terminal block. Distributed controller requirements to speed machine development are discussed.

Download Paper (MSB_WP.pdf 534K)