The control and motion control functionality runs centrally on the SIMOTION C controller.

The functionality ranges from simple positioning to complex motion control tasks over cams and interpolation.

Position-controlled motion control

Setpoint output/actual value acquisition

• Position control with analog setpoint output
  For each axis, the SIMOTION C240 Motion Controller provides one analog output for the speed setpoint and one encoder input for cyclic detection of the actual position value. In the case of hydraulic drives, the setpoint for the positioning valve is specified via the analog output.
• Position control with pulse direction output for stepper drives
  For each axis, the SIMOTION C240 Motion Controller provides one pulse output for the position setpoint. Stepper drives can either be operated without an encoder or be position-controlled with an encoder.
• Position control with digital setpoint output
  The PROFIBUS DP interface with PROFIdrive or the PROFINET interface for the C240 PN is available for this purpose. The actual position value is fetched over PROFIBUS DP or PROFINET and the speed setpoint is output.
• Position control with mixed setpoint output
  Analog, stepper and PROFIBUS drives can be used in a mixed configuration on the SIMOTION C240 Motion Controller. The channels of the 4 onboard interfaces can be used for analog, stepper or hydraulic drives. PROFIBUS and PROFINET drives can be operated as mixed configuration for the C240 PN.
• Incremental position sensing (C240)
  Incremental encoders supply counter pulses for the traversed distance according to their resolution.
  It is usually necessary to search for homing references.
  The following can be used:
  • Rotary encoders
  • Linear encoders (length dimensions)
• Absolute position sensing (C240)
  Absolute encoders with serial interface can be used (SSI absolute encoders).
  It is not necessary to search for homing references.
• Position control/position sensing over  DI 4 or IM 174
  The ADI 4 (Analog Drive Interface for 4 Axes) or IM 174 (Interface Module for 4 Axes) module can be used to connect drives with analog setpoint interfaces.
  The IM 174 also supports the connection of stepper drives with a pulse direction interface.
  Both modules are connected over PROFIBUS DP.
  The following can be connected to an ADI 4 or IM 174 module:
  • 4 drives
  • 4 encoders
  • Digital inputs and outputs
• Isochronous PROFIBUS encoder