MOOG 5 - Moog Animatics extends the capabilities of its Combitronic™ protocol by integrating the Moog DS2020 drive

Memmingerberg, Germany (November 14, 2019) – Moog Animatics, a subsidiary of Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B), extends its practical Combitronic™ protocol. Using the Moog DS2020 drive, motors with more than 800 W can now be integrated into the network.

Combitronic™ simplifies multi-axis systems significantly. Users benefit from lower time to market, higher machine reliability and outstanding efficiency.

What is Combitronic™?

The Combitronic™ protocol was developed by Moog Animatics in 2011 and operates on the CAN bus. Up to 120 fully integrated SmartMotor™ servos can be connected in each Combitronic™ network and no dedicated master is required to operate them. This means that all participating motors are able to communicate simultaneously with all others. The result is a very flexible, fast and easy exchange of information, unrivaled in this form.

Since 2018, Moog Animatics also offers the single-cable solution ‘CDS7’ for the SmartMotor™. It covers both, power supply and communication, and simplifies the setup of the CAN bus network.

Combitronic™ and Motors Above 800 W

The latest Combitronic™ enhancement concerns the power range. The Moog DS2020 drive, which now also processes Combitronic™ commands, can integrate motors outside the Moog Animatics product portfolio, like the Moog CD series motors, to the Combitronic™ network. The CD motors provide a nominal power of up to 12 kW and are therefore able to control significantly heavier axes. Typical applications that gain from this extension are winding and traverse constructions. The DS2020 takes over the heavy spool axis and the SmartMotor™ servos handle the complex traverse and winding tasks. Other applications are for instance welding oscillators, label or part feeders (to a given spacing), cut to length fly cutters or vision inspection scanners.

Machine manufacturers and users benefit in several ways: through exceptionally compact designs in conjunction with the SmartMotor™ system, fast and smooth communication between the individual components, and the reduction in complexity and the number of support contacts.

Legend:

Picture 1: Combitronic™ Logo
Picture 2: Using the DS2020 drive, you can integrate motors with significantly greater power into the Combitronic™ system.

Authors:Leonhard Dander, Moog Group; Jörn Jacobs, IHW Marketing GmbH