Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions has launched a size 17 Programmable Linear Actuator with RS-485 Communications Protocol.
Haydon - Programmable Linear Actuator
The new addition to the IDEA line of linear actuators is an easy-to-use, ROHS compliant, electronic drive with a fully programmable control unit combined with a linear actuator. This versatile and compact unit is perfect for both systems and equipment that need a small footprint. An RS-485 data protocol with capacity to communicate has been added, which would prove to be superior when compared to other drive communication methods. This linear actuator is also be ideal for industrial applications.
The RS-485 Protocol has the capability for long data transmissions, shows exceptional immunity to electrical noise, and this feature would be of great advantage for industrial equipment such as industrial motor drives, servo systems and stepper drives. This protocol uses differential signal lines for reducing common mode noise coupling. It also uses twisted pair cabling for eliminating induced noise current. This would help IDEA devices to communicate across a 1000 foot network without using termination resistors and reach about 256 addressable device nodes.
An industrial controller can either control each drive individually or send commands to all the drivers at the same time, when it is given a unique identifier i.e. a number between 0 & 255.
Other hardware features in the IDEA Drive Platform are a single supply voltage of 12 to 48 V DC maximum rated current per phase, programmable current control, along with 8 Opto-isolated general purpose I/O.