01. Which are the main features of the IDS240 / IDS640?
02. Which are the main benefits offered by the IDS240 / IDS640?
03. What types of motors can be driven by the IDS240 / IDS640?
04. Which are the voltage and the currents of the IDS240 / IDS640?
05. Which are the maximum ratings of the IDS240 / IDS640?
06. Which is the temperature range?
07. Which is the size of the IDS240 / IDS640?
08. What types of control modes are possible?
09. What kind of internal motion reference generator can be used?
10. If I need a special control function, can the IDS240 / IDS640 be adapted upon request?
11. What type of feedback can be used?
12. Which is the maximum input frequency of the encoder?
13. What kinds of I/Os are available?
14. Are opto-isolated inputs / outputs available?
15. Are there any schematics available for the I/Os?
16. Is it possible to implement PLC functionality on the drive?
17. Is the board programmable? How can I program the board?
18. What types of commands are possible using the TML language?
19. What kind of software is needed to program the board? Can I control the IDS240 / IDS640 with my own commands,
or do I need to use the EasyMotion Studio?
20. Are there any tools to help me control Technosoft drives from a PC computer?
21. What type of communication is available?
22. What communication protocol is used on the CAN-bus?
23. How can I interface the Technosoft CAN network with my specific field bus network?
24. Is stand-alone operation possible?
25. Can I drive the IDS240 / IDS640 with an analogue signal?
26. Does the IDS240 / IDS640 have a pulse and direction input? Which is the maximum input frequency?
27. How can I parameterize the board?
28. How can I test / diagnose the system?
29. How can I control several boards?
30. Can the board be driven by a PLC? Or by another processor?
31. What type of protections are integrated into the board? With which settings?
32. Is it possible to know the temperature of the IDS240 / IDS640?
33. Where can I find additional application information?
34. Where can I find product literature?
35. Where can I buy a board and the relative software?
36. Do you have any distributors in my country?
37. Are the IDS240 / IDS640 available from stock?
38. Where can I get assistance if needed?
39. Do you provide application development assistance?
40. Do you provide training about your products and/or on Motion Control in general?
41. Does Technosoft sell any motor to be used with the IDS240 / IDS640?
42. In case I have different motors to drive of different technology and power, which solutions does Technosoft propose?

01. Which are the main features of the IDS240 / IDS640?

IDS240 / IDS640 are fully digital servo drives from Technosoft, with embedded intelligence, based on the latest DSP controller technology, to be used in multiple-axis distributed control configurations.
They control step motors in torque, speed or position control modes, using high-level motion commands and offering PLC-specific functionality.

02. Which are the main benefits offered by the IDS240 / IDS640?

The IDS240 / IDS640 represent state-of-the-art intelligent drive, offering at a very attractive price, features usually found only in high-power servo amplifiers.
They bring flexibility (on-the-fly configuration modification), high-performance (fully digital control implementation), advanced motion control (powerful reference generator module), embedded intelligence (high-level motion language programmable) and advanced programming and analysis tools (EasyMotion Studio platform). The result is a significant leverage on the road from concept to the implementation of a complete industrial motion control application.

03. What types of motors can be driven by the IDS240 / IDS640?

The IDS240 / IDS640 can drive step motors with or without encoder, in closed or open loop.

04. Which are the voltage and the currents of the IDS240 / IDS640?

Depending on the model, several options are available:

05. Which are the maximum ratings of the IDS240 / IDS640?

The IDS240 / IDS640 can be operated up to the following maximum ratings:
Supply voltage: IDS240: 48 VDC; IDS640: 80 VDC
Supply current, peak: 25 A
Output current, continuous: IDS240 - 5A; IDS640 - 8A; peak current (all models) 16A

06. Which is the temperature range?

The IDS240 / IDS640 can operate in an industrial environment with an ambient temperature between 0°C and 40°C. Some products are available upon request in extended temperature range.

07. Which is the size of the IDS240 / IDS640?

The IDS240 / IDS640 are packed in a compact, covered case, with the following dimensions (Length x Width x Height): 136mm x 84.5mm x 26mm [5.354" x 3.327" x 1.024"]

08. What types of control modes are possible?

The IPS640 can be configured to operate in one of position or speed control modes, which can be freely changed during the operation of the drive, based on application requirements. If no position sensor is mounted on motor shaft, the motor is driven in open loop mode, and can be driven as standard step motor, in micro-step or full step operating mode. If an encoder is mounted at motor shaft, the motor can be driven in closed loop mode, thus one can also use the step-less operating mode. In this case, the motor is driven using a vector control method (as a synchronous motor).

09. What kind of internal motion reference generator can be used?

Depending on the active control mode, several motion references can be selected: profiles (with trapezoidal speed), contouring (with linear interpolation), external (from an analogue input, pulse & direction, or on-line - through a communication channel) or test (saturated ramp). For multiple axes configurations, electronic gearing is also possible.
Note that one can change the reference type "on-the-fly", without the need to wait the end of the currently executed motion, usually based on the occurrence of an internal or external event.

10. If I need a special control function, can the IDS240 / IDS640 be adapted upon request?

If a specific control function is needed, not implemented on the standard IDS240 / IDS640, Technosoft can, upon request, adapt the existing functionality of the drive.
As an alternative to the use of such "code extensions" on the IDS240 / IDS640, in cases of medium to high volumes, specific applications, one can also consider the use of the ISCM4805 or ISCM8005 Intelligent Servo Control Modules from Technosoft.

11. What type of feedback can be used?

There are several types of feedback devices that can be used with the IDS240 / IDS640. Up to two incremental encoders (single-ended or differential) can be used. Also, absolute encoders of type SSI/EnDat can be used.
As already mentioned, no feedback sensor is needed if the motor position or speed is to be controlled in open loop mode.

12. Which is the maximum input frequency of the encoder?

The incremental encoder pulses can go of up to 5 MHz. Note that internal quadrature encoder circuit (QEP) multiplies by 4 the number of pulses, thus increasing by 2 bits the equivalent encoder measurement resolution.

13. What kinds of I/Os are available?

Depending on the model, several options are possible. Digital inputs and digital outputs are available, with dedicated (as limits switches, drive enable, homing, index, pulse& direction) or general-purpose, functionality.
All models have also 2 analogue inputs, in the range of [-10…+10] V.
As a special remark, if the encoder is not used, the associated input signals can be used as general-purpose digital inputs, too.

14. Are opto-isolated inputs / outputs available?

For all models, the following digital I/O resources are available:

15. Are there any schematics available for the I/Os?

The IDS240 / IDS640 User Manual contains complete connection scheme for the I/O interfaces, together with the electrical specifications (logic, voltage and current limit), thus providing all the required information needed to connect external equipment to the drive.

16. Is it possible to implement PLC functionality on the drive?

The TML environment offers you the possibility to combine motion control commands with PLC-specific operations, mainly related to handling of I/Os, events occurring, arithmetic operations, interrupts, functions and decision features.
This gives you a lot of flexibility through the embedded intelligence at drive level, covering most cases where an additional PLC controller might be needed.

17. Is the board programmable? How can I program the board?

The IDS240 / IDS640 are programmable using the Technosoft Motion Language (TML). The drive can execute binary TML code, stored in the local E2ROM memory (stand-alone mode), or sent on-line via the serial communication line from a PC or an external host.
The TML instruction set is a high-level, motion-oriented language, allowing you to setup, parameterize and implement advanced motion commands, in a very straightforward manner.

18. What types of commands are possible using the TML language?

The TML instruction set contains more than 90 instructions, grouped as assignment, arithmetic, decision, reference mode setting, I/O treatment, event, configuration, command, communication and multiple axes categories.

19. What kind of software is needed to program the board? Can I control the IDS240 / IDS640 with my own commands, or do I need to use the EasyMotion Studio?

EasyMotion Studio is an advanced development platform for Technosoft intelligent drives. Including automatic TML code generation tools, it allows you to program the IDS240 / IDS640 without even writing TML code. During system testing, the simplest way is to use EasyMotion Studio, which directly can generate the TML code (automatic code generation), and then download and execute the code onto the drive.
This does not exclude the possibility to send to the drive binary TML commands from another external host, in order to setup / modify drive parameters, or to get status information about drive operation.

20. Are there any tools to help me control Technosoft drives from a PC computer?

Yes, you can use the TML_LIB library for this purpose. TML_LIB library is a collection of functions allowing you to implement motion control applications on a PC computer, in order to drive Technosoft intelligent drives based on the MotionChipTM technology.

Implemented as a .dll file, the library can be included in a user-defined Windows application developed in C/C++, Basic, Delphi or LabVIEW, and will allow you to communicate with a drive, set up its parameters, interrogate about its status, send motion commands, define motion events, test input and set output ports status, etc.

21. What type of communication is available?

The drive can communicate on a serial interface, of RS-232 or RS-485 type. Communication speeds of up to 115 kilo-bauds are possible.
A CAN field bus interface is also available on the IDS240 / IDS640 drives. Communication speeds of up to 1 MHz are possible on this channel, and up to 256 axes can be connected on the CAN network.

22. What communication protocol is used on the CAN-bus?

The communication protocol used on the CAN-bus is adapted to the Technosoft TML instruction set, and is based on the CAN 2.0B protocol (29 bits standard).
A CANopen communication protocol implementation is currently under development.

23. How can I interface the Technosoft CAN network with my specific field bus network?

Technosoft offers the CMC207 Can Master Controller card. This dual processor card can be programmed, upon request, to be used as a gateway between a local Technosoft CAN network, and external field bus networks as CANopen or DeviceNet.

24. Is stand-alone operation possible?

An important advantage of the IDS240 / IDS640 is the possibility to combine the stand-alone operating mode (executing local program) with on-line / slave operating mode (executing on-line commands).
The stand-alone operating mode is possible due to the local E2ROM memory, which can be loaded with a local TML program, executed by the drive if configured in the "Autorun" mode. At power-on, the drive will immediately start the execution of the local application.

25. Can I drive the IDS240 / IDS640 with an analogue signal?

The IDS240 / IDS640 drives have 2 differential analogue inputs, in the range of [-10…+10] V. Depending on the structure of your application, you can use them as reference input, feedback signal (as from a tachogenerator, or position potentiometer), or load torque limit or feedforward signal.

26. Does the IDS240 / IDS640 have a pulse and direction input? Which is the maximum input frequency?

One of the operating modes of the IDS240 / IDS640 is the Pulse and Direction. In this case, the motion reference (position or speed, as configured by the user) is imposed via pulses applied on the Pulse input pin of the drive. The pulses are used to increase or decrease the reference value, in correlation with the status of the Direction pin (0 or 1).
Both inputs are opto-isolated. The maximum frequency of the Pulse signal is 5 kHz.

27. How can I parameterize the board?

The most effective way to parameterize the IDS240 / IDS640 drives is via the EasyMotion Studio environment. Based on predefined templates of the program, you only need to add some basic parameters of the motor/load, or use the parameters identification functionality of the program. Then, advanced tuning features will help you to setup and test the controller parameters.
Once the system is parameterized, you will only focus on motion definition.

28. How can I test / diagnose the system?

EasyMotion Studio offers you the possibility to test, in a logical, successive sequence, the functionality of all the basic components of the motion system. This goes from correct phase connections, integrity of sensor signals, detection of sensor parameters and motor/load electrical and mechanical parameter identification, up to automatic tuning and testing of control loops performances.

29. How can I control several boards?

For multiple-axes configuration (implemented using the CAN or the RS-485 communication channel), you can send TML commands from a master axis to slave axes, including electronic gearing information. Also, from a PC connected to the network, EasyMotion Studio offers the possibility to setup, control and examine any of the axes active at that moment.

30. Can the board be driven by a PLC? Or by another processor?

You can use two means to drive the IDS240 / IDS640 from an external PLC or host processor. On one side, you can do it by sending TML commands (including download of a TML program) on the serial communication channel (CAN or RS-232/485). On the other side, you can use external I/O signals to select / activate specific TML functions previously stored on the IDS drive.

31. What type of protections are integrated into the board? With which settings?

There are several protections which can be activated on the IDS240 / IDS640 drives. It includes: limit current, short-circuit, under and over-voltage, drive temperature and I2t protections. The parameterization of the protections is easily accomplished at high-level, in engineering units, from the EasyMotion Studio platform.

32. Is it possible to know the temperature of the IDS240 / IDS640?

The IDS240 / IDS640 have an internal temperature measurement circuit, allowing you to detect the value of drive temperature. Activating the over-temperature protection will allow you to protect the drive if this value overrides a specified limit value, for a given period of time.

33. Where can I find additional application information?

Complete drive information can be found in the User Manual of the drive. Additional information, including application examples, application notes, complete project files for specific cases, executable in EasyMotion Studio, together with specific technical FAQ lists, can be found on product CD-ROM and on Technosoft WEB site, www.technosoftmotion.com.
Consulting in our WEB page the "User Information Page", for each of the intelligent drives of Technosoft, will help you to find the last updates and information related to them.

34. Where can I find product literature?

Complete product literature is included in the product CD-ROM delivered to you when buying our product. The most recent updates can be downloaded from our WEB site, www.technosoftmotion.com.
Registering in our WEB page database allow Technosoft to keep you informed about the most recent products updates and news regarding product releases.

35. Where can I buy a board and the relative software?

You can order the drive and associated software directly from one of Technosoft sales offices, or from one of our distributors from your area. Please consult our sales addresses for more precise information.

36. Do you have any distributors in my country?

Technosoft distribution network is continuously increasing, covering most of the regions worldwide. Please consult our sales address directory for a most recent update of this information.

37. Are the IDS240 / IDS640 available from stock?

Up to 5 samples can be ordered from stock. For larger quantities, please consult our sales offices.

38. Where can I get assistance if needed?

Our technical support specialists are ready to help you to use our drives. Get assistance via e-mail, contacting us to our hotline at support@technosoftmotion.com. We'll be glad to provide you more details, examples, or answer your specific questions related to the configuration and programming of our drives.

39. Do you provide application development assistance?

A dependable team of Technosoft experienced specialists is available and can assist you, upon request, to implement your specific application. Going from support in system configuration and setup, up to the development of a complete motion application, we can do or help you to do it on a case-by-case base.

40. Do you provide training about your products and/or on Motion Control in general?

Upon request, Technosoft provides training in the field of digital motion control (DMC). Based on the several dozens of experience years in this domain, we can organize workshops and seminars in the DMC field.
Ranging from generic DMC design, up to specific Technosoft intelligent drives workshops, we bring you the essential information needed to start to work in this challenging activity domain.

41. Does Technosoft sell any motor to be used with the IDS240 / IDS640?

Technosoft has only a limited type of motors in stock for test purposes, but we can also recommend, through our network, an adequate motor for your application.

42. In case I have different motors to drive of different technology and power, which solutions does Technosoft propose?

Technosoft provides a large variety of products that cover different power levels. The family of intelligent power drives from Technosoft ranges from 100W to 640W, for brushless or step motors, with encoder, Hall or resolver transducers.
Based on your application specific requirement, Technosoft will assist you to select the most appropriate solution.