Nanotec introduced a new controller specifically for integration into devices: the NP5 plug-in motor controller, which is suitable for brushless DC motors as well as for stepper motors. A PCI Express connector allows for fast and easy integration into a customer-specific board – thus offering a compact and affordable solution that reduces the wiring effort, particularly for multi-axis applications. The NP5 controller can control motors with a rated current of up to 6 A via FOC, Hall sensors, or sensorless control. In addition to position, speed, and torque control, operating modes with cyclical set value specification are also available for interpolated multi-axis operation. For parameterization and programming Nanotec offers the free Plug & Drive Studio software. The NP5 can be connected to a higher-level controller via SPI, EtherCAT, Modbus RTU, or CANopen. In addition, the controller can be programmed in the NanoJ V2 programming language so that time-critical subtasks can be executed directly in the controller, independently of the fieldbus communication. The new controller is equipped with 6 digital inputs and outputs, 2 A/D converters, 2 encoder inputs, and one brake output. For evaluation, single-axis motherboards are available for various fieldbuses.
