HMI operator panel uses CANopen interface

IP65-rated operator panel from Baldor Electric suited for intelligent drives and multi-axis controllers

March 30, 2011

Baldor Electric has added a compact IP65-rated operator panel with a CANopen interface to its range of motion control products. The operator panel provides machine designers and builders with a very cost-effective means of implementing simple HMI (human-machine interface) functions. It is also scalable using an optional plug-in digital I/O module to support simple system expansion.

The new KPD202-501 operator panel features a backlit four-line x 20-character LCD surrounded by six programmable function keys, enabling clear and actionable, multiple-choice menus for operator. A further 15 keys are provided to input of numeric values, together with four pairs of keys which can be used for functions such as jogging individual machine axes.

The panel is easy to fit in a rectangular cut-out. Built-in mounting clamps secure the unit by compressing its bezel gasket against the surrounding fascia. Once mounted, the panel has an IP65 protection rating. The only connections that are needed are a 24 Vdc power feed and the desired communications link. As standard, the panel is equipped with a CANopen port, which offers a choice of D-type and RJ45 plug-in connectors, and a user-selectable RS232/485 serial port.

No special programming software or tools are required – the unit can be programmed directly from the motion controller to which it is connected, using Baldor’s Mint programming language. The company says this has become one of the industry’s most popular motion control languages and it is installed on more than 100,000 systems worldwide. The operator panel is compatible with all of Baldor’s NextMove multi-axis controllers and Mint programmable drives, including the new Mint Lite versions of the MotiFlex e100 and MicroFlex e100. Where CANopen is not available, the panel can be operated as a standard VT100 terminal over its RS232/485 serial port.

An optional plug-in I/O expansion module is available. The module provides four optically-isolated digital inputs and four optically-isolated digital outputs, each of which can be operated over the CANopen bus as standard DS401 remote I/O, for use with ancillary devices such as push-button interfaces and indicator lamps. The inputs can be configured as PNP or NPN, while the outputs are PNP only. The I/O can be directly controlled from within the Mint language.

Baldor Electric, a member of the ABB Group

www.baldor.com

www.abb.com

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Edited by Peter Welander, pwelander@cfemedia.com