Synchronizing the motion of multiple electric motors — New possibilities for smart motion control

Current technological solutions in the field of electric actuators, which integrate electric motors, sensors and control units, create complex mechatronic devices. Having in mind that this integration requires communication between sensors, actuators and their control units, and also communication with external control units and sensors, as well as other actuators, adds even more to their complexity. This integration of sensors, actuators, control units and communication technologies is nowadays often referred to as Industry 4.0, which is a collective term embracing a number of contemporary automation, data exchange and manufacturing technologies and is a facilitation of the vision and execution of a “Smart Factory”. This research deals with the problem of programing a group of electric actuators with integrated control units, which work simultaneously controlled by an external control unit, while communicating through EtherCAT communication protocol. The problem is discussed by presenting a case study of controlling four tubular linear, and two brushless direct current rotating motors.