RS232 Servo Drives
Last Updated: January 31, 2025
Description
RS232 Servo Drives are digital devices that provide electrical outputs to servo motors in closed-loop motion control systems. They are equipped with a communication port using the RS-232 serial standard, which allows for the setup of the drive's parameters and real-time control of multiple drives in automation applications. These drives are capable of controlling one or more axes and often feature integral motion controllers.
Working Principle
RS232 Servo Drives operate by using positional feedback and corrective signals to optimize the position, speed, and accuracy of servo motors. The RS-232 standard facilitates point-to-point data communication, allowing for the connection of a single drive to a master device, such as a PC or an embedded system. This setup enables the adjustment of software parameters like PID gains and acceleration ramp times, which are crucial for the precise control of the servo motor. The RS-232 interface is particularly useful for integrating the servo drive into systems where compactness and ease of communication are priorities.
Applications
RS232 Servo Drives are used in a variety of industrial applications where precise motion control is required. Specific examples include:
- Integration with PC-based systems for laboratory automation.
- Use in compact motion control systems where space is limited.
- Applications requiring direct control from a master device, such as in custom automation setups.
Advantages over other Servo Drives
RS232 Servo Drives offer several advantages over other types of servo drives:
- Ease of Integration: The RS-232 interface allows for straightforward integration with PC-based systems and embedded masters, making it ideal for applications where direct control from a computer is necessary.
- Compactness: These drives are often more compact, making them suitable for applications with space constraints.
- Cost-Effectiveness: RS232 Servo Drives can be a more economical choice compared to other communication standards that require more complex setups.
Limitations
RS232 Servo Drives have some limitations:
- Communication Speed and Distance: The RS-232 standard is limited to communication speeds below 20,000 bits per second and distances up to 50 feet, which may not be suitable for all applications.
- Single Device Connection: Typically, only one drive can be connected to a master device without additional converters, which can limit scalability in larger systems.
Considerations
When considering RS232 Servo Drives, several factors should be taken into account:
- Initial Costs: These drives are generally cost-effective, but the overall cost will depend on the specific requirements of the application and the need for additional converters or interfaces.
- Operating Expense: Operating expenses are typically low, but they can vary based on the complexity of the system and the need for regular maintenance.
- Durability and Accuracy: RS232 Servo Drives are known for their durability and accuracy, making them a reliable choice for many applications.
- Replacement and Maintenance Costs: Maintenance costs are generally low, but replacement costs can vary depending on the specific model and its features. Regular maintenance is recommended to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
from ElectroCraft
Capable of powering PMDC, brushless and stepper motors (both open and closed loop) the PRO Series is a full programmable motion controller with unprecedented flexibility in a compact footprint. Now available with EtherCAT ® network!. Technology: Brushless Digital Servo Drive. Quadrants: 4. [See More]
- Communication: CANbus; RS232; EtherCAT
- Axes: 1.0
- Description: Amplifier
- Motor / System: DC Brushed; DC Brushless
from Kollmorgen Corporation
S300 Series digital brushless servo drives are compact, easy-to-use and extremely versatile. The small footprint saves space in the switchgear cabinet, and with its wide-ranging connectivity options the S300 may be the only drive family you need. These drives work with our best-in-class rotary servo... [See More]
- Communication: DeviceNet (optional feature); PROFIBUS (optional feature); RS232; RS485; SERCOS (optional feature); Modbus RTU
- Commutation: Sinusoidal
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- AC Input: 115 to 480
from Galil
The AMP-43640 contains four linear, transconductance amplifiers for driving brushless servo motors with sinusoidal commutation. The AMP-43640 requires 15-30 VDC, and the gain setting of each amplifier is 0.1 A/V at 1 A maximum current. Hall sensors are not required for brushless motor commutation. [See More]
- Communication: Ethernet; RS232
- Drive Architecture: Analog
- Description: Amplifier; MCU
- Axes: 4.0
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
The Aries Controller combines the versatile and cost-effective Aries digital servo drive platform with the advanced control capabilities of the ACR servo controller into a single product, the Aries Controller single-axis drive-controller. Ethernet TCP communications. 3 power levels up to 6.3A... [See More]
- Communication: CANopen; Ethernet; RS232; RS485; USB
- Drive Architecture: Analog
- Description: Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Delta Electronics (Americas)
To meet the demanding requirements of stand-alone or distributed motion control applications in industrial automation and satisfy the needs of high-precision positioning control requested by machine designers and system integrators, Delta launched the high performance motion control ASDA-A2 series... [See More]
- Communication: CANopen; RS232; RS422; RS485; USB
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Speed Controller; Amplifier; Regenerative; Pulse Width Modulation Drive; DSP; MCU; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Aerotech, Inc.
Design Features. Up to eight integrated drives in one stand-alone controller. Additional external drive axes can be added to provide up to ten axes of coordinated motion. Controller architecture capable of coordinating motion of up to five independent tasks. Capable of driving and controlling linear... [See More]
- Communication: Ethernet; RS232; USB
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Multi-Axis; Amplifier; Pulse Width Modulation Drive; DSP; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0 to 8.0
from Nidec Control Techniques
The Modular Drive System (MDS) is a powerful and cost effective solution for applications with multiple axes. The MDS utilizes a unique backplane architecture that provides a common bus platform for one of three sizes of power modules* and up to eight drive modules. Plus, there are five different... [See More]
- Communication: DeviceNet (optional feature); Ethernet (optional feature); PROFIBUS (optional feature); RS232; RS485
- Axes: 1.0 to 1.5
- Description: Multi-Axis; Speed Controller
- AC Input: 187 to 528
from Industrial Indexing Systems, Inc.
The Emerald Servo Drives can be configured as a standalone full featured position controller and drive combo or used in a networked automation system. At-A-Glance. Designed to control high speed production machinery. Ideal for web control, synchronized cut-off, form-fill-seal, cut and seal, punching... [See More]
- Communication: RS232; SERCOS; USB
- Drive Architecture: Analog
- Description: Amplifier
- AC Input: 220
from Kollmorgen Corporation
This digital multi-axis system operates directly from 115 to 400 VAC lines and provides output current of 3 or 6 Amps RMS/phase, continuous. It supports 1 master and up to 7 extension axes, is CANopen compatible, and is fully programmable via an RS232 interface. These drives are supported for... [See More]
- Communication: CANopen; RS232
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Multi-Axis; Amplifier
- AC Input: 115 to 400
from Galil
The CDS-3310 is a single-axis controller and drive system for precisely controlling a brush or brushless servo motor. It combines a high-performance, programmable motion controller with a 500W PWM drive in a compact, cost-effective package. The CDS-3310 provides a 10/100 Base-T Ethernet port and up... [See More]
- Communication: Ethernet; RS232; RS422; RS485; TTL; USB (optional feature); ASC-II, Modbus
- Drive Architecture: Analog; Digital
- Description: PC-Based; Amplifier; Pulse Width Modulation Drive; MCU; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
Available in both 120/240 VAC and 480 VAC input versions. Current output from 2.5A RMS continuous to 155A RMS continuous. Available with ETHERNET Powerlink. Certified Category 3 Safety (EN954-1 Cat. 3). Programs in all five IEC61131-3 International programming standard. Scalable control technology:... [See More]
- Communication: CANopen; DeviceNet; Ethernet; PROFIBUS; RS232; RS485; EtherCAT
- Drive Architecture: Analog
- Description: Regenerative; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Delta Electronics (Americas)
Delta ’s ASDA-A2-E is an advanced AC Servo Drive with an EtherCAT communication Interface. EtherCAT is the fastest, most efficient and open, deterministic control network available in the market making it ideal for servo motion control. Complies with IEC standards to enable faster, real-time,... [See More]
- Communication: RS232; RS422; RS485; USB
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Speed Controller; Amplifier; Regenerative; Pulse Width Modulation Drive; DSP; MCU; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Aerotech, Inc.
Design Features. Network drives through a high-speed serial interface to coordinate up to ten axes of motion. Coordinate motion using up to five independent tasks. Drive and control linear or rotary brushless, DC brush servo, and micro-stepping motors. Command various motion types including:... [See More]
- Communication: Ethernet; RS232; USB
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Pulse Width Modulation Drive; DSP; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Industrial Indexing Systems, Inc.
Luminary Series Servo Drives provide the OEM market with a low cost but high performance servo drive for use in applications such as x-y tables, actuators, roll feeders, or any requirement where true position, velocity and torque control are desired. The Luminary Series is a cost competitive... [See More]
- Communication: RS232
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Amplifier
- AC Input: 100 to 240
from Galil
The DMC-22x0 stand-alone motion controller is a member of the Optima Series, Galil's prior-generation, multi-axis motion controllers. The DMC-22x0 features 10Base-T/100Base-T Ethernet connectivity. The controller is packaged in a compact, rugged enclosure and contains an internal power supply for... [See More]
- Communication: RS232; RS422; RS485; TTL; USB (optional feature)
- Drive Architecture: Analog; Digital
- Description: Multi-Axis; PC-Based; Amplifier; Regenerative; Pulse Width Modulation Drive; MCU; Controller / Drive (optional feature)
- Axes: 2.0
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
Drive for Brushless and Asynchronous Motors. High performance drive. Brushless and asynchronous motors control. From 2 to 150 Arms continuous current. Resolver, incremental/less wire encoder, SinCos+EnDat and SinCos+Hiperface absolute encoderfeedback. Positioner with speed trapezoidal profile. [See More]
- Communication: CANopen; DeviceNet (optional feature); Ethernet (optional feature); PROFIBUS (optional feature); RS232; RS422; RS485; SERCOS (optional feature)
- Drive Architecture: Analog (optional feature); Digital (optional feature)
- Description: Speed Controller; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Delta Electronics (Americas)
To meet the requirements of general-purpose machine control and enhance our competitive advantage in the industrial automation market, Delta Electronics, Inc. introduces its high-performance and cost-effective ASDA-B2 series servo motor and drive systems. The series has a wide power range for its... [See More]
- Communication: RS232; RS422; RS485
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Speed Controller; Amplifier; Regenerative; Pulse Width Modulation Drive; DSP; MCU
- Axes: 1.0
from Aerotech, Inc.
Design Features. Networkable with any Ensemble drive to control up to ten axes of piezo and/or servomotor stages. Multi-axis Position Synchronized Output (PSO) for real-time triggering of events. High-precision 20-bit sensor resolution for capacitive sensor feedback. Thermally-stable feedback... [See More]
- Communication: Ethernet; RS232; USB
- Drive Architecture: Analog (optional feature); Digital (optional feature)
- Description: Multi-Axis; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 10.0
from Galil
Galil's AMP-19540 is a 4-axis amplifier for driving brush or brushless motors up to 500 Watts. By interfacing directly to Galil's DMC-18x2, DMC-18x0, or DMC-18x6 controllers, it provides a cost-effective controller/drive solution for multi-axis applications. The AMP-19540 contains four... [See More]
- Communication: RS232; RS422; RS485; TTL; USB (optional feature)
- Drive Architecture: Analog; Digital
- Description: Multi-Axis; Amplifier; Regenerative; Pulse Width Modulation Drive; MCU; Controller / Drive (optional feature)
- Axes: 2.0 to 4.0
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
Up to 8 axes of servo or stepper control. 150 MFLOPS, 32-bit floating-point DSP. Advanced Multitasking of up to 24 simultaneous programs. Interpolation of 8 axes in any combination. Up to 10 encoder inputs at 20 MHz. 10/100 Base-T Ethernet. Supports EtherNet/IP protocol. USB2.0. Absolute Encoder... [See More]
- Communication: CANopen; Ethernet; RS232; RS485; USB
- Drive Architecture: Analog
- Description: Multi-Axis
- Axes: 2.0 to 8.0
from Aerotech, Inc.
Design Features. Single-axis digital servo controller with integral power supply and amplifier. Advanced software architecture shortens customer development time; use C#, VB.Net, C, and LabVIEW?? combined with our full IDE and multitasking operating system. Host-mode operation allows you to send... [See More]
- Communication: Ethernet; RS232; USB
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Pulse Width Modulation Drive; DSP; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Galil
The DMC-300xx Series is Galil's latest generation single-axis motion controller. It uses a 32-bit RISC processor to provide higher speed than older models. The DMC-300xx is available as a compact card-level or box-level unit and connects to a stepper or servo motor amplifier of any power range. Or,... [See More]
- Communication: Ethernet; RS232
- Drive Architecture: Analog
- Description: Pulse Width Modulation Drive; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
Combines the powerful features of the 6K Controller with the Gemini GV digital servo drive for a complete stand-alone servo solution in one small package. Six powerful ranges for up to 11.8 kW of continuous power. Full ASCII communication capability. Control features such as registration,... [See More]
- Communication: Ethernet; RS232; RS485
- Drive Architecture: Analog (optional feature); Digital (optional feature)
- Description: Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
ETHERNET Powerlink expands the ACR9000 family by adding real-time motion control over standard Ethernet. The high-speed digital communications network enhances machine performance and configuration possibilities while reducing set-up time and installation complexity. Control of 16 ETHERNET Powerlink... [See More]
- Communication: CANopen; Ethernet; RS232; RS485; USB
- Axes: 1.0
- Description: Controller / Drive
- Resolution: 12
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
Compact Digital Servo Drive. From 1.25 A to 17 A continuous current. 230 VAC, 1 and 3 phase operation. Internal braking resistor. Configurable feedback. Current, torque and speed control. Positioner. Electronic shaft. Electronic cam. Internal PLC - programming according to IEC61131-3 (option). [See More]
- Communication: CANbus (optional feature); RS232; RS422; RS485
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Multi-Axis
- Axes: 1.0 to 32.0
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
1-8 axes of stepper/servo control (any combination). Outputs standard +/- 10V or step & direction. Servo update rates of 62.5 axis. Motion Planner Software provided 10 Mbps twisted pair Ethernet. TCP/IP and UDP protocol. 4-8 digital outputs [See More]
- Communication: DeviceNet; Foundation Fieldbus; PROFIBUS; RS232; RS485
- Drive Architecture: Analog (optional feature); Digital (optional feature)
- Description: Multi-Axis; PC-Based; Controller / Drive
- Axes: 1.0 to 8.0
from Parker Hannifin / Automation / Electromechanical Division - Europe
Fully digital design. Field-oriented control for improved low-speed performance. Panel or DIN rail mounting. 2.5A & 5.0A RMS rating. Up to 80V DC bus. Built-in controller using Parker's proven EASI code. Powerful front-end software - EASI-V. Programmable resolution. Optional CANopen/RS485... [See More]
- Communication: CANopen (optional feature); RS232; RS485 (optional feature)
- Drive Architecture: Digital
- Description: Pulse Width Modulation Drive
- Axes: 1.0