Animatics®is proud to announce its expansion into upstate New York!
  Animatics® Publishes New 2005 Integrated Servo Products Catalog
  Animatics® SM1720D SmartMotor with D-sub Connector
  Animatics® New Add-A-Motor Cable Hooks You Up!
  Animatics vs Quicksilver Controls Inc. Patent Lawsuit Resolved
  Animatics Introduces SERVO STEP a Fully Integrated Motion Control Stepper Motor
  The Evolution of CNC continues with JenCNC™ + SmartMotor
  Animatics Launches New 3416 SmartMotor, a Nema 34 Size Low Cost Integrated Servo Motor
  The OEM Series - Integrated Motor and Integrated Control by Animatics Corporation
  Animatics Corporation Announces Alliance with Parker Hannifin
  Custom Product Engineering
  Introducing High Torque SM2337DT
  Mannetron Robots Get Smarter With SmartMotor™
  SmartMotors Now Take G-Codes
  RTC3000 - Credit Card Sized Servo Controller & Amplifier!
  Integrated Motors Benefit the Industry
  SmartMotor™ Now With Multi-Axis Contouring Capabilities
  Cam Programming
  Integrated Servo Control For The Masses! (SM2315)

Animatics® is proud to announce its expansion into upstate New York!

Please take a peak at our new facility and the related news coverage:

(Click to Watch Flash Movie)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information: Punita Pandit
Tel: 408.748.8721 x322
E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com

» click here for high resolution photos

June 2005 - Animatics, the world leader and patent holder for integrated servo motors has released the first single catalog to feature integrated servos built on both traditional servo motor platforms as well as fully commutated "servoed" step motor platforms.

For the first time, integrated servo users have access to both low and high pole count servos from a single supplier, using a common command set. The new addition of the high pole count integrated servos permit users to choose a motor to suit their application, where before they had to optimize their applications for a particular motor type.

The new high pole count servos, while not very fast, offer extremely strong low-speed torque and make a good replacement where a servo and gearhead combination were required before.

Additional new products featured in this catalog are the RTC-4000, stand alone servo controller, special cables, interface devices and JenCNC. JENCNC is a new CNC host level software choice for those using G-Codes and CAD/CAM software to drive "cabinet-free" fabricating machines using SmartMotors.

Animatics Corporation is the world leader in integrated motion control.
Animatics is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and designs, manufacturers,
and markets motion control products for industries ranging from semiconductor, nuclear,
automotive and machine tool to traditional industries such as CNC.
Animatics' strength lies in using technological innovation to meet complete solutions for motion control.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

January 2005 - The SM1720D, one of Animatics' most popular offerings in our Legend Series SmartMotors, has been redesigned and cost reduced to use the same industry-standard connectors that are available with our other SmartMotors: our Double D-sub connector with a 15-Pin D-sub I/O and a 7-Pin Combo D-sub Power and I/O.

The new connector provides more robust construction, better resistance to harsh environments, and better compatibility with existing systems. The SM1720D SmartMotor offers a compact size, fully-integrated motion control capability, and the flexibility to meet your most challenging motion control requirements.

Animatics Corporation is the world leader in integrated motion control. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Animatics designs, manufactures, and markets motion control products for industries ranging from semiconductor, nuclear, and automotive to machine tool and medical.

Animatics Corporation is the world leader in integrated motion control.
Animatics is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and designs, manufacturers,
and markets motion control products for industries ranging from semiconductor, nuclear,
automotive and machine tool to traditional industries such as CNC.
Animatics' strength lies in using technological innovation to meet complete solutions for motion control.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

			FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com
» click on the image for high resolution photos

Animatics Corporation achieves another industry first with the Add-A-Motor™ serial configuration cable. With Add-A-Motor cables and your SmartMotors, you get an entire off the shelf" servo system solution, including the cables, that is ready to plug and play. The fully-molded Add-A-Motor cable connects SmartMotor to SmartMotor in a daisy-chain configuration for serial operation, thus eliminating the need to create custom, multi-axis cable configurations for each SmartMotor application. Add-A-Motor cables are designed specifically to supply DC power and RS-232 communications to multiple SmartMotor 1700 and 2300 Series motors.

Add-A-Motor cables, with fully-molded connector ends and durable high-flex cable, increase the reliability of SmartMotor installations by reducing the incidence of servo system failure.

Each Add-A-Motor cable has a female 7-pin SmartMotor 7W2 Combo-D-sub connector on one end and a female 7-pin 7W2 D-sub connector backed by a male 7-pin connector on the other end to transmit and receive data between SmartMotors. The cable on the compact dual connector end is displaced to the side to permit easy placement of the next Add-A-Motor cable. Add-A-Motor cables come in four standard lengths to help you eliminate tangled cabling in tight spaces and keep cables organized in serial SmartMotor applications. Standard lengths are: 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, and 7.5 meters.

Animatics Corporation is the world leader in integrated motion control. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Animatics designs, manufactures, and markets motion control products for industries ranging from semiconductor, nuclear, and automotive to machine tool and medical. At Animatics, our strength lies in technological innovation that delivers proven solutions for motion control.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

Animatics vs Quicksilver Controls Inc. Patent Lawsuit Resolved

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com High resolution photos available

Animatics introduces the ServoStep™, a new chapter in Animatics' SmartMotor™ Technology. The ServoStep was designed with one purpose in mind, to deliver to the marketplace the most cost-effective SmartMotor possible without sacrificing either features or benefits.

The ServoStep is a fully integrated motion control system designed around step motor technology. It features a high torque, 50-pole step motor, motion controller, drive-amplifier and encoder in one integrated system, the ServoStep is a true "Black-Box" solution.

The first release is a NEMA 34 frame size ServoStep. Delivering an impressive continuous torque capability of up to 650 oz-in and a nominal speed of 2,200 RPM, the ServoStep will become the workhorse of the motion control industry. Succeeding releases are planned including a line of NEMA 17, 23 and further NEMA 34 releases.

Features:

The Servo Step is the third new product line introduced by Animatics in the last 6 months (SM3416D released September 2003 and JenCNC released March 2004). Animatics will continue to innovate and aggressively bring forth an array of complimentary products.

Animatics Corporation is the world leader in integrated motion control. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Animatics designs, manufacturers, and markets motion control products for industries ranging from semiconductor, nuclear, automotive and machine tool to traditional industries such as CNC. Animatics' strength lies in using technological innovation to meet and complete solutions for motion control.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com High resolution photos available

Animatics is excited to release JenCNC™, a full-featured 3D CNC Software package designed exclusively to run Animatics SmartMotors. It combines features of both a CAD/CAM and a Motion-Control Software package into a unique graphical user interface for controlling 2 to 4 SmartMotors in true 3D coordinated motion.

With real time 2D and 3D plotting to the screen, DXF-to-G-Code conversion and conversational G-Code building, this is just the beginning to get a CNC machine up and running in no time.

JenCNC utilizes a simple serial interface to communicate and control SmartMotors. With custom tailored algorithms, motion is optimized for smooth control and continuous operation for all machining needs. With its ability to run in a constant vector velocity regardless of changes in direction, the software is ideal where dispensing or flow rate of glue or adhesives is critical to a given process.

JenCNC has been built upon 3 years of in-field testing and customer feedback in real-world applications including:
• Routers
• Hot-wire EPS foam cutting
• Plasma cutting
• Machining forms for vacuum-form molding of plastics
• Milling machine retrofits
• Sign making
• Engraving
• CNC drilling
• Gasket cutting
• Adhesive applicators

Our goal is to continuously add to its capabilities according to the needs and demands of customers to provide the best possible solution for any need that may arise.

Overview of just some of the features that increase throughput and quality:

• Upon Start-up, JenCNC automatically detects motors and does a system update
  if any motor was changed out
• A full machine settings window allows for customization to physical dimensions
  of the machining space
• Machine tolerance levels can be set to ensure no product damage occurs in the
  unlikely event of motor drop-out or path divergence
• Slow-down proportional-to-angle is a feature that can be tailored to minimize
  machining time while providing the best surface finish thru sharp turns
• Customizable G-Codes for user-defined tooling positions
• Customizable M-Codes for I/O control and SmartMotor Commands or Subroutine calls
• Ability to call G-Code subroutines
• Ability to repeat a section of G-code a user definable number of times
• Z-Axis (tool length) offsets
• SAE or metric scaling
• On-screen and keyboard real-time jogging
• Auto-detection of Windows compatible Joystick for Jog control
• Menu selectable Inputs set-up window
• Wait-On-Input definable M-Codes
• Customizable outputs assignable to user-definable M-Codes
• CMM probing for setting tool offset
• Automatically send user defined SmartMotor commands on boot-up
• Terminal screen diagnostics page for testing/troubleshooting
• User selectable homing routines with configurable offsets
• Advanced settings screen includes events setup for E-Stop conditions
• Simulation mode (dry run)


Animatics Corporation is the world leader in integrated motion control. Animatics is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and designs, manufactures, and markets motion control products for industries ranging from semiconductor, nuclear, automotive and machine tool to traditional industries such as CNC. Animatics' strength lies in using technological innovation to meet complete solutions for motion control.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com High resolution photos available

The pioneer and leader of integrated motion control is excited to release the OEM Series of SmartMotors. The OEM Series was created specifically for high volume and price sensitive motion control applications. Like other SmartMotors™, the OEM Series is an integrated servo that is unique by virtue of its compact frame, network capabilities, high speed and high continuous and peak torque outputs.

The entire line of OEM Series of SmartMotor's is priced competitively for high quantity, OEM applications. Featuring standard NEMA 23 and 34 frame dimensions, the OEM Series will meet unique customer requirements with a very familiar package.

At the heart of the OEM Series of SmartMotors is the Animatics Motion Control chip, a single micro-controller that handles all processing functions of the SmartMotor, including the PID loop, trajectory generator, user program, execution, I/O control and all communication over as many as three high speed serial channels simultaneously.

The OEM Series of SmartMotors does nearly everything its predecessors can do, including:


• Program to stand-alone or operate as part of an RS232, RS-485, DeviceNet or Profibus Network
• Delivering up to 150 oz-in of continuous torque and nominal speeds in excess of 4,000 RPM
• CE and UL marked
• Capable to sub-network link to an array of peripherals
• On-board I/O that can be used as dedicated inputs, programmable inputs, outputs or even 10-bit analog inputs

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

Animatics Corporation Announces Alliance with Parker Hannifin

From left to right: Robert Bigler, CEO of Animatics Corp. and Roy Glassett, Automation Group VP of Operations Parker Hannifin

Custom Product Engineering

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com High resolution photos available

Animatics Corporation is the pioneer and recognized leader of integrated motion control, but our quest for innovation doesn’t end there. The engineers of Animatics are market-tested experts in designing and manufacturing custom products or Custom Product Engineering (CPE).

When an OEM in Switzerland recently asked us to literally unwrap" a SmartMotor™, Mike Hyslop, the International Vice President of Sales and Marketing said, no problem, looks like a job for Custom Product Engineering." Mike explains further It was a unique application that involved a robotic arm that was sensitive to weight and inertia; thus, in order to reduce the weight of our integrated product, they requested that we ‘unwrap’ or disperse the components of a SmartMotor, the Brushless DC servo, amplifier and motion controller throughout the length of the robotic arm –and- communicate over a Profibus network to other SmartMotors’ and components. It was a great challenge to our engineers."

Robert Bigler, the CEO of Animatics agrees, This is an exciting and high growth area. In order to maintain an edge in today’s competitive environment, companies are being pushed to find new and innovative ways of solving motion control problems and sometimes their solution can’t be found ‘off the shelf’. We have some of the best engineers in the industry and they always rise to the challenge."

Animatics has completed a multitude of custom projects that involve engineered designs and pre-engineered integrated solutions for specific customer applications. Our engineers’ strengths lie in the ability to use our standard products as a foundation for creating customer products that meet unique customer requirements. Their success is due to a unique approach to motion control: Integrated controls and amplifiers, fully digital systems requiring no physical adjustments, sealed and compact packaging, and minimum component count for maximum MTBF.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

Introducing High Torque SM2337DT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com High resolution photos available

Animatics Corporation, designers and manufacturers of highly innovative motion control products, announces the latest release in their OEM Series of SmartMotors, the SM2337DT. The OEM Series SmartMotor™ is a complete motion control system that is compact, user friendly, and cost effective. Using a patented design, SmartMotors incorporate a Servo Motor, Amplifier, and Motion Controller into the same integral frame.

Similar to other members of the OEM Series of SmartMotors, SM2337DT is unique by virtue of its extreme low cost and high continuous and peak output torques. It delivers as much as 200 oz-in of peak torque while maintaining as much as 60 oz-in of continuous torque. The entire line of OEM Series SmartMotor's™ is priced competitively for high quantity, OEM applications. Featuring standard NEMA 23 frame dimensions, the SM2337DT will meet unique customer requirements with a very familiar package.

Animatics Corporation has been designing, manufacturing, and marketing motion control products for 14 years. The industries we address are limitless, ranging from the semiconductor, nuclear, and automobile, to the machine tool industry. The OEM Series of SmartMotors is equipped with all of the same features as the traditional SmartMotor™ line, including the ability to accept G-Code commands when used in conjunction with Animatics P.C. Resident SMNC™ (SmartMotor Numeric Control™) software. The SMNC software turns virtually any P.C. or Lap Top computer and two or more SmartMotors into a complete CNC control system for the operation of Milling machines, Lathes, Laser Cutting equipment, Water Jet Cutting equipment as well as many other machines used in the fabrication industry. It does all of this without a control cabinet and at a system cost that is less than the cost of an average CNC service call.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

Mannetron Robots Get Smarter With SmartMotor™

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com     High resolution photos available

Mannetron, one of the leading entertainment robot manufacturers has created a new generation of "anthrobots" (anthropomorphic robots) by incorporating Animatics' SmartMotor™.

Mannetron is installing 10 of the SmartMotors into International Robotics' latest version of the SICO 8 roll-around entertainment robot. The SmartMotor ™ was chosen because of it's stand-alone, brushless feature. According to Mannetron's chief engineer, Peter Jungen, the SmartMotor™ handled the need to design around where to put the servo amp, DSP card and positioning sensor wiring. "All of these are packaged inside the SmartMotor™ servo which solved our problem of limited space within the robot cavity", said Jungen.

Mannetron also developed a Real-time Windows driver and wireless transmitter. This software enables the robot to be controlled remotely by a keypad in the operator's pocket, which is used to transmit a single command or a macro to the SmartMotors. Jungen said, "Because of the amount of processing power in the SmartMotor's™ built in DSP which handles all the low level real-time calculations, we are able to use the power of the central processor entirely for the coordination of fluid and complex gestures."

Mannetron plans to use the SmartMotor™ in their next generation of the Maximillion anthropomorphic robot, which has 45 motions. With their development of the Real-time software, wireless transmitter and the SmartMotor™, they feel they have one of the most advanced entertainment robots to date.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

SmartMotors Now Take G-Codes
Now SmartMotors can be used with CAD/CAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com   High resolution photo available

Now SmartMotors can be used with CAD/CAM. Animatics the producer of the SmartMotor™, which is a combined motor controller, amplifier and servo motor, has been under intense pressure from its customer base to make the product do circular interpolation for applications such as milling, turning, laser and water jet cutting, glue dispensers, etc.
Historically, machine builders could enjoy the benefits of the SmartMotor's extreme integration only in applications with predominantly linear motion. The hurdles to overcome this were two fold. The first hurdle was to make a group of two to five SmartMotors operate from an RS232 or RS-485 network to perform highly complicated coordinated motion. The second hurdle was to create a host computer utility that would interpret G-Codes and play a role in coordinating the small SmartMotor network.
Enhancements in the firmware of the SmartMotor™ as well as in the communications accomplished the coordination tasks. The most important part of the package was the G-Code interface to make the capability accessible to the typical user. This host level utility looks much like a word processor where G-Codes can be loaded from the output of CAD/CAM software, or simply typed in. The software can be configured to talk with 2 to 5 SmartMotors and will automatically address the chain. Also configurable is the scaling of each axis to account for ball screw pitch and any gear ratios between the SmartMotors and the final linear motion. Once configured, the user simply presses PLAY and the multi-axis system executes the contoured motion flawlessly.

There are even provisions to choose vertex behavior. For example, it is often desirable when machining that no deceleration exists between command blocks for the best possible finish. The user can program vertex behavior to exclude deceleration, include it or even include a deceleration that is proportional to the sharpness of the angle. This proportional behavior is by far the most popular, especially in surfacing where there are thousands of tiny segments used to describe curves. These segments need to be executed at full speed, but at the end, it is desirable to have a gentle transition for abrupt changes in direction such as lifting the tool for another pass.

Finally, with this technology, people can create fabrication equipment without a cabinet full of controls and without being subjected to down time or expensive service calls. A spare SmartMotor can eliminate field service and a damaged SmartMotor simply gets put in a box and sent out with the mail.

The new contouring capability and G-Code interface connect SmartMotors to CAD/CAM allowing them to perform linear and circular interpolation and convert any manual machine tool into an automated work cell. The invention affords fabrication machine builders and users unprecedented advantages:

1) A CNC machine control is available now for half the previous cost.
Building a milling machine used to include a large cabinet full of controls. First the cabinet had to be installed and loaded with controllers, amplifiers and power supplies and then wired internally and to the rest of the machine. This forced the controls to be installed at a location other than the customer's facility with added labor and unnecessary cost. Because SmartMotors can now take G-Codes, such machinery can be made with no controls cabinet and without the associated cost.

2) The requirement of field service for a CNC machine can be eliminated. Historically, CNC equipment controls have been complicated enough to require a field service technician to be paid to respond to any machine failure. Such field service calls are expensive and the dread of any machine owner. Since SmartMotors have the control system built in, anyone who can turn a wrench can remove a motor and send it back to the factory for immediate repair and return.

3) Down Time can be eliminated.
Keeping a spare SmartMotor can eliminate down time. In the unlikely event there's a problem, the suspect motor can be swapped with a spare as soon as the problem is discovered, resulting in almost zero down time. With the SmartMotor's higher than average MTBF, failures will occur seldom if at all leaving plenty of time for the problem motor to be sent back for repair and then reinstalled or kept in reserve when it's returned.

4) CNC retrofitting is now an option for 3rd world countries.
Developing nations have enormous infrastructures of manual machine tools but little or no access to automation because of cost and complexity. These are the two key advantages of the G-Code compatible, contouring SmartMotor™ solution. SmartMotor™ technology is now positioned to be a tremendous facilitator for the retrofit of such machines, which number in the tens of thousands.
Accomplishing coordination in SmartMotors:

To accomplish the coordinated motion over a network with comparatively slow bandwidth (38,400 baud) the task of trajectory generation had to be split. The SmartMotor™ firmware was enhanced with the capability of taking buffered position-time packets. This information dictates to each motor where it has to be and at what time. The SmartMotor™ then contours its own velocity and acceleration to make its intermediate motion and arrival as smooth as possible. This results in continuous motion between the intervals where it gets its new information. Software resident to a host P.C. also plays a role in the trajectory generation by calculating and dispersing the position-time packets while monitoring the SmartMotor™ buffers to maintain continuous motion and synchronization. All of this is done with host level drivers and made available to the machine operator through a user interface.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

RTC3000 – Credit Card Sized Servo Controller & Amplifier!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com   High resolution photo available

Animatics Corporation, the creator of the SmartMotor™, has applied its highly interested and miniaturized motion control technology to a free-standing controller-amplifier called the RTC-3000. Measuring only 3.68x1.815x0.35 inches, the RTC-3000 is about the size of a credit card and will completely operate virtually any small Brushed or Brushless D.C. Servo. It is no longer necessary to use a bulky and expensive full size servo control when operating the many small D.C. servo's sold by such companies as Maxon*, Micro-Mi* and API Portscap*. Apply 24 VDC to the RTC3000 and download a program using the host utility and you have a completely stand-alone system including Controller, Amplifier, Logic Power Supplies and Program Interpreter with 32k of program memory and 32k of data storage. Alternatively, talk interactively between the RTC-3000 and a host or PLC over RS232 or RS-485. It will even milt-task between internal program and host commands.

The RTC-3000 employs the same expansive command set that has allowed SmartMotors to control entire machines. It has inputs for the Encoder, the Motor, the Hall Sensors (if BLDC) as well as general purpose I/O, an additional Encoder Input and the ability to take Step & Direction signals. The general purpose I/O includes several channels of 10 bit analog input. Also, like the SmartMotors, the RTC-3000 has an additional "AniLink™" port that links in a vast array of peripherals such as LCD Displays, Push Wheel banks, Opto-22* racks, etc.. As many as 120 RTC-3000s can be combined on a single RS-485 network. It was designed for multi-axis applications, but because of its size, it can often be located next to each motor, vastly reducing the amount of system cabling and distributing the control and I/O functions throughout the machines.

The innovative drive design inside the RTC-3000 is well suited to run motors with a wide range if inductance, including very low inductance motors that are otherwise difficult to drive. Units are available from stock.

* These names are registered trademarks of their respective company names and brands.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

Integrated Motors Benefit the Industry
Every Application Can Benefit from Mechatronics Integrated Motor technology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com   High resolution photo available

Animatics Corporation offers high performance Integrated Servo Systems, AKA: the SmartMotors. Each Animatics SmartMotor™ is an all-in-one integrated servo motor system (closed loop servo motor, amplifier, and controller) that optimizes machine control and automated tasks. Compared to the technology of typical servo systems, which historically consists of individual controls, drive amplifiers and motors, the SmartMotor is revolutionary. With capabilities of multi-axis coordinated motion and G-Code software, CNC motion couldn't be easier and by utilizing highly flexible on-board I/O and additional expanded I/O, any SmartMotor™ can control an entire machine. Frame sizes range from standard NEMA 17 to NEMA 56 with speeds up to 18,000 RPM. Today, the integrated servo system technology, pioneered by Animatics, has become the benchmark standard in prototype development. During the Mechatronic decade the development of the typical servo system into one integrated unit was first named the SmartMotor. This technology has made a remarkable difference in automated machine design standards.

The simple design of the SmartMotors has brought these important benefits:
• Much smaller NEMA control cabinet or eliminate it entirely (no drive amps or controls to install)
• Less cabling (no command signal, encoder feedback or motor amp)
• With 7 onboard I/O lines per motor and expandability, PLC's can be eliminated
• Easily controlled by a simple PC or HMI (Human Machine Interface)
• Less parts means longer life and less downtime

Animatics Corporation has 14 years of proven reliability and performance with product guaranties to match. In the past such motors were very expensive but are now readily available at considerably lower prices starting at only $499 (in quantities). At this price many motion-system designers are finding this the simplest and most cost effective solution to replace past generation technologies like steppers or conventional servo systems to gain more control and broaden the capabilities of applications while saving space.

Standard features that come with the SmartMotors, depending on size, include:
• On-the-Fly variable electronic gearing.
• Phase offset adjust while gearing
• Electronic camming w/relative and absolute cam modes
• True 3D coordinated motion (not limited to any plane)
• RMS voltage and current feedback for true torque sensing
• Both RS232 and RS-485 serial communications at the same time.
• Data mode communications allowing for specific communication protocols
• Up to 64 channels of expanded I/O per motor via the Anilink protocol
• More than 800 channels of I/O via dedicated RS-485 expanded I/O
• DC input to 48V (NEMA 17 through NEMA 34 frame sizes).
• AC input to 208V 3 phase (NEMA 42 through NEMA 56 frame sizes).
• Standard military connectors (NEMA 42 through NEMA 56 frame sizes).

Optional devices include:
• 256,000 line high-resolution encoder
• Built in automatic brake powered by the SmartMotor
• High speed I/O trigger option
• IP65 protocol with environmentally sealed connectors and joints
• Precision straight and right angle planetary gear heads
• Isolated communications and power DIN rail mount distribution block
• Isolated DIN rail mount motor I/O break-out that accepts standard optical modules
• Dedicated DIN rail mount, 8-in 8-out expanded I/O block
• 24VDC optically isolated I/O cable assemblies

SmartMotors have been introduced into nearly every type of manufacturing process including: Animatronics, semiconductor handling equipment, medical equipment, automotive equipment and countless other manufacturing sectors.
Some of the uncommon applications integrated motors are used for include: autonomous and remote controlled robotics, human head impact studies and Electronic Tuna robotic undersea devices.
As awareness and the ability to integrate reaches its full potential the usefulness of these motors will be realized and will become the standard in every area of production, development and research.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

SmartMotor™ Now With Multi-Axis Contouring Capabilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Information: Punita Pandit
Tel: 408.748.8721 x322
E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com

Animatics has now added multi-axis contouring capability to its line of SmartMotors. The SmartMotor™ is a single component that combines the technologies of Servo Motor, Controller, Amplifier, Encoder and PLC. This totally integrated servo motion control system delivers higher reliability, smaller foot print and radically simplified field service. With this new contouring capability, an RS-485 network of SmartMotors can perform motion profiles as complex as multi-axis splines or as simple as circular and linear interpolation.

CAD and G-Code host interfaces can turn a Lap-Top computer and three SmartMotors into a complete 3-Axis CNC control system on the back of the machine, without a NEMA cabinet. Such machines are typically expensive to service and render the owner helpless in the face of down time whereas a SmartMotor™ based machine consists simply of motors and a PC.
The contouring function employs PC resident drivers. These drivers are used by Animatics host interfaces and are available to OEMs for custom applications. The interfaces are compatible with Visual Basic as well as many other tools.

Applications that benefit from this technology range from CNC milling and turning to laser cutting and water jet cutting to glue laying or engraving. It is appropriate for any application where circular interpolation and G-Code compatibility are needed, but also where the machine builder wants a simpler, less expensive solution that is easier to support.

All that is needed is a PC with an RS232 port. Animatics supplies an RS232 to RS-485 converter, resident to the mating connector to link the chain of SmartMotors. Because bulky PC expansion cards are not used, a simple Lap-Top will complete a system.
Contouring capability will be standard in all SmartMotors starting May 1, 2000 and comes at no additional cost. Host level programs to support the capability range from free to $985.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

Cam Programming

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com   High resolution photo available

Animatics Corporation is proud to announce that it has just introduced the Cam Programming Feature to its Cutting Edge" line of SmartMotors. This long awaited breakthrough feature makes it possible to eliminate the carved out steel reciprocating motion cams and has given rise to the next wave of the SmartMotor™ design.

The new SmartMotor™ technology provides an electric alternative to using Mechanical Cam Replacements. This efficient, space saving Cam Programming Feature is the next step in the "evolution" of the SmartMotor™. Utilizing meticulous design and testing processes the Cam Programming Feature eliminates the impractical use of large steal rotors, while dramatically reducing the space needed to accomplish specific functions.

Animatics new process which involves integrating an encoder on the rotating part of the machine, sending the signal to the SmartMotor™ and programming the Cam profile into the SmartMotor™ allows for the complex, repeating motions to be sustained. This repetitive process is accomplished and maintained without any of the typical mechanical limitations. The Cam feature will also perform linear interpolation between those entries as well as between the first as the Cam progresses through the table and back to the beginning.

With vigorous testing and methodology Animatics commitment to revolutionizing the smart motor industry has lead to ground breaking technology that is clearly illustrated in this new Cam Programming Feature.

This development will greatly enhance the smart motor in all it's capacities, and in turn, have an affect that will create a new vision for Designer Engineer and Customers to benefit for years to come.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com

Integrated Servo Control For The Masses!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Information: Punita Pandit Tel: 408.748.8721 x322 E-mail: ppandit@animatics.com   High resolution photo available

Animatics is excited to release its latest product, the SM2315. Like other SmartMotors, the SM2315 is a Controller, Amplifier and Encoder built into a true Brushless D.C. Servo Motor™, but what sets it apart from the others is the cost, $799, quantity-one. Rather than competing with other Servos, the SM2315 is actually priced competitively with many Stepper Motor Systems.
At the heart of the SM2315 is the Animatics Motion Control Chip, a single micro-controller that handles all processing functions of the SmartMotor™, including the PID Loop, the Trajectory Generator, the User Program Execution, I/O control and all communications over as many as three high speed serial channels simultaneously. A machine wound stator and molded, high energy magnet add to the savings as does a completely die-cast aluminum housing assembly. The SM2315 was designed for high volume applications and is already being manufactured in the thousands.

The SM2315 does nearly everything its predecessors do. The motor can be programmed to stand-alone or operate as part of an RS232 or RS-485 network. Delivering up to 30 oz-in of continuous torque and driving as fast as 10,000 RPM, it also has a sub-network to link in peripherals like LCD Displays, OPTO-22 I/O, Digital Joysticks, and much more. The 7 bits of on board I/O can be used as dedicated inputs, programmable inputs, outputs or even 10-bit analog inputs. A family of adapters dedicate different I/O points as 24Volt isolated I/O. The adapters occupy half of the mating connector's back-shell, with a small screw terminal also inside the back-shell for fast and easy connection.

The SM2315 also has a bonus for OEM customers and a first for SmartMotors. Like a computer, it has an expansion slot for additional or custom electronics. This is a space in the back of the motor next to the connection bus loaded with Power and I/O, even more than is available outside the motor. Expansion cards already exist to regulate and control power to an optional external brake. Board layout information and signal specifications are available to OEM customers as are custom solutions engineered and implemented by Animatics. The point is, however, that no matter how customized the final product may be, the motor itself remains low cost. It still fully enjoys the economies of scale arising from the many thousands manufactured each year, even if it serves a custom purpose by virtue if its add-in card.

With all of this, the total motion control system still falls in at a mere 2.3 inches in length. It is 2.25 inches wide and fully conforms to NEMA-23 stepper motor frame and shaft dimension standards. It even takes Step & Direction signals as a form of input. The SM2315's price and physical design makes it an excellent choice for replacing both a stepper motor and its driver. This can benefit applications wanting greater throughput, quieter or smoother operation or simply closed loop reliability. Just route the Step & Direction signals directly to the motor itself and reduce or eliminate the drive cabinet.

The main benefits of SmartMotors over traditional controls are that they increase reliability and cost less by virtue or their lower component count, decrease development time because there is one part to work with instead of four, and increase throughput because they are cost effective replacements for stepper motors. One unforeseen benefit that pleasantly surprised Animatics are testimonials from customers eliminating on site service of their machines in the field when using SmartMotors in the design. They report that any customer who can turn a screwdriver can swap out a SmartMotor and in so doing, can update the entire control system. No NEMA cabinet full of controls means no waiting for a technician on a plane with a schematic and an oscilloscope. By sending a spare SmartMotor™ with a machine or set of machines, downtime is eliminated. Companies designing their machines for field serviceability using SmartMotors are enjoying savings before and after their motor purchase.

The SM2315, like other SmartMotors has some capabilities no other servo motor control system has. In its Basic programming environment there are variables that reflect every aspect of the motor's operation. For example, there are variables that reflect the actual voltage the SmartMotor™ is connected to, variables that are the current flowing through the motor or the temperature of the motor itself. By monitoring these parameters for anomalies within the program or from a host, the machine designer can gain information about the actual mechanism. If, for example, the motor monitored its own current requirements, it could infer that the mechanical system was under greater load-- which could be a result of lubrication breakdown. A machine failure could be averted by alerting the operator to lubricate the system during the next maintenance cycle. Likewise, if the motor monitored its voltage level in a battery powered application, it could accurately predict the time of power loss. In most implementations, the SM2315 can actually add reliability to the other parts of a machine.
The SM2315 is the first in a broad line of extremely low cost solutions in the works at Animatics Corp.

Animatics is Defining the Future in Motion Control!
Animatics Corporation,
3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054
Tel: 408-748-8721  •  Fax 408-748-8725  •  Email: service@animatics.com