Combining easy-to-integrate software and hardware designs, NEXCOM NET controllers reduce development efforts for machine makers, hastening the rollout of next generation industrial machines which can coordinate with other industrial systems and connect to the cloud.

NEXCOM EtherCAT master controllers, NET 101-ECM and NET 200-ECM, gear industrial machines and equipment for real-time precise motion control. Marching into the Industry 4.0 era, NEXCOM has built EtherCAT control, M2M communication, and network connectivity into the NET 101-ECM and NET 200-ECM. Combining easy-to-integrate software and hardware designs, the NET controllers reduce development efforts for machine makers, hastening the rollout of next generation industrial machines which can coordinate with other industrial systems and connect to the cloud.

Aimed at industrial machines, the NET 101-ECM and NET 200-ECM are PC-based EtherCAT master controllers powered by dual-core Intel® Atomâ„¢ processor E3826 and quad-core Intel® Celeron® processor J1900, respectively. Featuring solid computing power and a cycle time as short as 250 microseconds, the NET controllers can conduct real-time, precise control and synchronization of up to 10 axis and 250 I/O points. Machinery like bonding machines, packaging machines, and spiral spring coilers are some industrial equipment that can benefit from the NET 101-ECM and NET 200-ECM.

To provide high flexibility in system configuration, the NET 101-ECM and NET 200-ECM are designed with EtherCAT Master which can communicate with EtherCAT slave devices from any third-party suppliers. For control of non-EtherCAT devices, the NET controllers offer up to two mini-PCIe slots for optional add-on fieldbus modules. Machine makers can flexibly integrate, such as Modbus RTU hand wheels, PROFIBUS rotary encoders, and other devices onto the NET controllers.

Furthermore, the NET controllers are equipped with network connectivity to seamlessly connect industrial machines to a public or private cloud. The NET 101-ECM and NET 200-ECM support wired LAN by default and Wi-Fi/3G/LTE connections through expansion.

To shorten the development time of industrial machines, the NET controllers are pre-installed with a programming tool, NexECM. NexECM can detect EtherCAT slaves connected to the NET controllers, speed up building of machine functions with pre-written functional APIs, and support programming with widely used C/C++ languages, saving a significant amount of time for machine makers.

The NET controllers are also designed with space-saving and easy-to-mount features to facilitate system integration. With its compact size, front-accessible I/Os, and DIN rail kit, the NET controllers can be mounted on a DIN rail along with circuit breakers, terminal blocks, and other control components, allowing machine makers to install and arrange control cabinet components swiftly.