ctrlX MOTION

ctrlX MOTION – a motion control system for a variety of applications

Whether it’s a production plant, a test bench, a packaging line or a machining center: the demands placed on motion tasks are becoming increasingly complex for machine and plant manufacturers – not to mention programmers, operators and maintenance personnel. In this context, the range of applications extends from Cartesian handling systems and pick-and-place robots through to highly dynamic machines with 100 synchronized axes.

ctrlX MOTION provides an holistic range of motion functions for every application – and offers maximum openness. The functionality as a whole is bundled in a unified motion kernel: high precision, easy to implement, and open to the integration of own IP. The system handles both classic axis movements and cam profiles as well as robot kinematics and CNC functions.

Openness, high scalability, standardized interfaces, real-time capability and flexible configuration enable a straightforward adaptation to new requirements without the need to combine multiple systems or control solutions. ctrlX MOTION sets completely new standards.

Image of a computer monitor showing the ctrlX WORKS Motion engineering environment

The key facts at a glance:

One motion app for all tasks
Open motion core for extending functionality, also by the user
Flexible programming

Web-based engineering environment
Pre-built templates and function blocks for easier engineering
Highest cybersecurity standards

One app for all motion tasks

Standard Motion

Useful toolbox for point-to-point motion
Straightforward fieldbus handling with predefined axis profiles (EtherCAT)
Engineering and axis control via Axis Interface and PLCopen library
Intuitive web interface for configuration, commissioning and troubleshooting

Synchronized Motion

Precision synchronous movements as a basic function
Linear couplings and master-slave relationships via point tables
Flexible profile for real-time motion sequences
Cam Designer for cam discs and motion profiles
Function blocks for complex tasks

Coordinated Motion

Robotics:

Over 15 kinematic types selectable
Straightforward integration of individual kinematics and robotics functions
Numerous robotics and safety functions for precise, rapid and safe movements

CNC:

G-code app translates commands into motion functions for kinematics and axes
Extensive command set according to DIN 66025 for the control of CNC machines for dosing, additive production, bending or laser beam cutting.

ctrlX MOTION API

Extension of motion functionalities with the open interface ctrlX Motion API
Integration of own IP into the ctrlX MOTION app
A MOTION API SDK supports users with help files, libraries and code examples
E-learning courses offer rapid knowledge acquisition and accelerate the implementation

An infographic shows a city and various industries from a side view looking down.

One platform. Endless possibilities.

With ctrlX AUTOMATION, you can implement advanced automation projects for a wide range of industries and applications. Thanks to the consistently open and modular platform, you can either configure a solution tailored precisely to your needs or use one of our ready-to-use solution sets to shorten the time to market for your application.

Discover individual and preconfigured solutions

Scalable motion engineering: EtherCAT power, web tools and templates

Motion control as an app

A single motion app covers the complete spectrum: from single-axis motion through to synchronized multi-axis movements and coordinated motion behavior for robotics and CNC. The uniform motion core provides all the relevant functions, eliminating the need for separate hardware or isolated solutions for the realization of the differing motion tasks.

This reduces the complexity, minimizes interfaces and lowers both the hardware and engineering costs. Users benefit from a stable, reusable basis – less system variety also means less training needs and quicker project workflows.

High performance and full EtherCAT integration

ctrlX MOTION supports short motion cycles and can synchronize up to 250 drives in real time. This makes it easy to implement scalable machines – from simple machine modules with single-axis movement through to complex systems with more than 100 synchronized motion axes.

The holistic support of EtherCAT via the widely-used CoE and SoE protocols enables the manufacturer-independent and transparent control of a wide variety of drives. Multiple EtherCAT masters on a single controller also offer significantly greater flexibility for contemporary machine topologies.

Flexible programming

Programmers are free to choose the approach that suits them best: on a traditional basis via PLC, on a more advanced basis via a REST-API, or directly via scripting languages such as Python or G-code. The optimal programming language can be used for each sub-function. The shared data layer guarantees seamless communication at all levels.
Projects can therefore be handled flexibly and using the optimal tools without the need for lengthy training. This increases the speed of implementation and has a positive impact on quality.

Axis Interface – simple motion via PLC

With the Axis Interface from ctrlX MOTION, controlling axes and kinematics is easier than ever before. The interface provides an alternative way to operate motion functions directly from the PLC program – without complex state machines or special function blocks.
This significantly reduces the complexity and potential for errors while considerably reducing the engineering outlay.

Web-based engineering environment

Contemporary engineering is browser-based – without local installation and offering immediate web access. The engineering environment provides pre-built dialogs and assistants for motion applications, such as the grouping of axes into kinematics and the initiation of dialogs.

The central web-based interface also simplifies the collaborative work, reducing the time-to-market and making the commissioning significantly simpler. Customers benefit from minimal IT costs, high flexibility, rapid scalability, and a significant reduction in typical sources of error.

Templates & function blocks for quicker implementation

Industry-specific app templates and pre-built technology modules from Motion Control reduce project timelines: solutions become productive more quickly, as they are precision-adapted, and don’t need to be redeveloped for recurring tasks. The templates connect ctrlX HMI, ctrlX PLC, and ctrlX MOTION, and provide the ideal templates for typical use cases. The examples are also freely available and can be easily extended or individually adapted to the specific application. Parameterizable function blocks enable “configure instead of program” – no time-consuming new coding needed. This consolidates years of motion expertise into PLC function blocks.

Maximum freedom with the application of personal knowledge

Mechanical engineers seek solutions that offer openness to their own know-how and freedom to implement new requirements both rapidly and independently.

The platform offers the maximum flexibility and allows the user to seamlessly integrate their IP into a powerful, immediately usable motion environment – from individual algorithms through to specific motion sequences and industry-specific innovations.

The ctrlX MOTION API – the open interface of the ctrlX MOTION app – accelerates the implementation of personal ideas and significantly reduces the time-to-market. The accompanying SDK offers practical examples for the rapid implementation of:

Custom Kinematics: implementation of custom kinematics with a full focus on mathematical transformation.
Special filters: application of individual filters to axis or kinematic positions, e.g. for vibration damping.
Individual safe zones: implementation of dedicated safety areas for maximum machine and process safety.

ctrlX MOTION is perfectly suited for the following applications and machines

Users solve a wide variety of automation tasks with the ctrlX MOTION software: from the simplest Cartesian handling tasks to highly dynamic machines with numerous synchronized axes in the consumer industry to high-precision motion solutions in Semicon & Electronics applications.

Horizontal flow wrapper for chocolate packaging

Consumer goods

Flow wrapping machines
Flexo printing machines
Laminators
Packaging machines
Corrugated board applications

Factory hall with gantry robots supplying machining centers with material

Robotics and logistics

Cartesian robots
Delta robots
Scara robots
Mobile robots

Automated plasma cutting of a metal plate

Manufacturing

Bending machines
Additive manufacturing machines
Dispensing machines

Person handling wafers in semiconductor production

Semicon and electronics

Assembly lines
Stacking machines for battery cores
Welding machines for pouch cells

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ctrlX MOTION – a motion control system for a variety of applications

The key facts at a glance:

More information about the motion solution ctrlX MOTION