The first by VIPA and YASKAWA common developed product series consists really of three single products, which are the VIPA SLIO CPU iMC7, the YASKAWA Sigma-7 servo drives series and the programming and configuration tool SPEED7 Studio.

The new CPU iMC7 is based an the existing standard functions of the CPU 015, that means PG/OP communication, functions blocks, supported protocols of the Ethernet communication and the configuration of the CPU via the VIPA Set Card (VSC). Additionally the variant motion control function and EtherCAT is configured via the VSC. An important aspect for the universal applicability of the CPU iMC7 is the presentation of the STEP7 function block in the same look like the PLCopen motion function blocks. They define a library of function blocks for motion control and include the functions of single axes or axis groups. EtherCAT as communication protocol was elected for the data exchange between the PLC CPU and the motion control modules. Besides the possibility of the real time communication one fact recommends EtherCAT, that as well from VIPA as from YASKAWA hardware solutions for this kind of communication and experience values for the users exist. The direct connection between the automation world and the office world becomes more and more important. For this purpose EtherCAT offers the best conditions.     

The revised version of the programming and configuration tool SPEED7 Studio allows directly the configuration of the field bus between the CPU iMC7, the drives and the I/Os. For that the YASKAWA Sigma-7 drive modules can be directly called from the integrated hardware catalogue and via „drag & drop“ transferred into the hardware configuration. It’s no problem to program the user application by the motion control function blocks and to configure cam profiles, even if the programmer or user has no deep knowledge of the motion and drives world.

With the Sigma-7 series YASKAWA sets standards regarding to diversity, precision and reliability in the drives technology. The series offers standard rotation motors as well as linear and rotation direct drives and linear slider including the suitable control modules „SERVOPACK“.
The well-known YASKAWA auto-tuning functions allow the complete configuration of the servo-axis in a machine within less than two hours. The YASKAWA Sigma-7 servo drive solutions consist basically of servo motors und the servo amplifiers. Both components have exactly integrated the necessary properties for optimal operation.      

The Sigma-7 servo drive solutions include motor power from 50W until 15kW for rotation motors and peaks loads of 7560N for linear motors. The optimised motor construction results in improved cooling, which implies energy savings of ca. 20%, because there is no additional cooling needed at temperatures between 0° and 55°. The position accuracy impresses by a resolution of 16 Mio. Impulses per rotation in a 24-bit resolution.