Anaheim Automation developed the Driver Pack to simplify the design of automated systems. Driver Packs are combination packages containing matched power supplies, high-performance step motor drivers, and/or indexers and interface circuitry. Anaheim Automation Driver Packs most often contain bilevel drivers, but Anaheim Automation also manufactures a 6 Amp Microstep Driver Pack to broaden the selection. In addition to their use in OEM equipment, Driver Packs are used to upgrade older equipment, develop prototype machines, increase system performance, or serve as on-the-spot substitution controls for testing. Installation is simple: just connect the step motor leads to the Driver Packs, hook up the system controller, i.e. computer or PLC, plug in the standard 115VAC line cord, and start operation. Other input voltages are available upon request.
Applications
Robotics
Advantages
The matched components simplify equipment design while the compact package makes installation easy.Performance
Anaheim Automation drivers ensure outstanding motor performance.Equipment Upgrades
Up-to-date circuitry can substantially improve performance in older equipment. These compact Driver Packs make test and evaluation easy. They are simple to install and make improvements permanent.Test and Service
Driver Packs are portable and make on-the-spot substitution and testing quick and easy.Compatibility
Whether your machine uses a PLC, computer, or a standalone motion controller, Anaheim Automation has a Driver Pack to match your application requirements.
The Driver Pack is a major innovation by Anaheim Automation, that incorporates step motor drivers and controls with an integrated power supply in one compact package. Anaheim Automation offers off-the-shelf Driver Pack models in the following series: DPL, DPS32, DPD72, DPF72, DPFEN, DPF11, DPI, and DPK72. These models come in two styles: all models are fully enclosed, except for the DPS32 series, which is an open-frame unit. The largest units contain a high capacity dual power supply (800 Watt), for use with high power step motors. Anaheim Automation can equip a Driver Pack to include up to six drivers. All models offer compactness, without sacrificing performance.
A typical Driver Pack shown below without the top cover. A bilevel driver board is on the left side and a programmable indexer is on the right side. The power supply / transformer is mounted in the center of the unit with the fan just below the transformer.
Two different types of drivers are available in Driver Packs: a bilevel driver with either clock and direction control, or clockwise and counterclockwise clock, and a microstep driver with clock and direction control.
Indexers (Manual Preset Indexers or Intelligent Indexers) can be packaged along with the driver(s) to produce a Driver Pack which is easy to control from computers or programmable logic controllers (PLC’s). These Driver Packs provide excellent OEM and end-user production hardware. Many customers have found these packages to be an indispensable and cost-effective developmental tool. The complete solution to a customer’s requirement is the salient feature of the Driver Pack.
Drivers translate clock and direction signals from indexers or other controls into phase current sequences required to run step motors. But sequencing phase currents is only the beginning, since actual motor performance is dependent upon a number of factors, the most important of which is; how fast the drivers can push the current to the required level in the motor winding being turned on at the beginning of each step, and how fast the driver can de-energize the windings being turned off at the beginning of the next step.
