Kollmorgen, a global leader in motion control systems, today introduced the P80360 stepper drive, the newest addition to the company’s flagship P8000 stepper platform. Like other drives in the series, the P80360 incorporates innovative stepless control technology to deliver smooth, quiet motion and optimal performance across the full speed range. Additionally, the P80360 stepper drive offers closed-loop position control and is fully programmable, enabling servo-like versatility, precision and repeatability in a stepper drive.

In addition to open-loop stall detection, the P80360 drive offers the ability to track load position via encoder feedback and automatically correct for any overshoot or undershoot errors. Closed-loop position control is useful, for example, in systems where gearing, couplings or heavy loads result in compliance that can cause motor missteps. By correcting for these position errors, the P80360 actively minimizes the risk of scrap or equipment damage. This feature has the added benefit of improving efficiency, so the motor doesn’t consume as much electricity and runs cooler.

The P80360 drive is fully programmable via an intuitive graphical user interface and programming language, available within the Kollmorgen Space software package offered as a free download on the Kollmorgen website. Using these tools, engineers can create simple point-to-point movements as well as linked motion sequences with ease. The versatility and functionality of the P80360 programming software eliminates the need for an external PLC or indexer to perform single-axis motion control, reducing overall system cost.

The P80360 stepper drive can be used with all stepper motors with phase current up to 3.0 Arms. It is ideal for labelers, indexing tables, CNC machines, XYZ gantry systems such as 3D printers, packaging, medical lab equipment, pumps and many other applications requiring simple point-to-point movements as well as linked motion sequences.