Aerotech Ndrive Linear (HLe/CL/ML) linear servo drive

Aerotech Ndrive Linear (HLe/CL/ML) linear servo drive

Overall general technical foundation

Control kernel: High performance dual precision DSP; The maximum current loop is 20kHz, and the maximum servo loop is 8kHz; Supports up to 8 second-order loop shaping filters and high-precision feedforward to achieve ultra smooth motion curves.

Supporting motors: brushed DC, brushless servo, stepper motor, voice coil motor.

Feedback options: TTL differential encoder, analog sine cosine encoder; Options support rotary transformers, Inductosyn, BiSS/EnDat2.1/2.2 absolute encoders.

PSO position synchronization output (laser triggered): hardware implementation; HLe supports single/dual/three-axis PSO; CL and ML only support single axis PSO; 50ns level high-speed data capture; PSO cannot be used when CL/ML is paired with MXU encoder multiplier option.

Bus architecture: FireWire serves as the motion control bus; Only HLe can add ENET Ethernet option, Ethernet is only used for third-party IO expansion and cannot be used for motion control; Different models of linear drivers can also be mixed with Ndrive HP/CP/MP PWM drivers and hung in the same FireWire network.

Protection and environment: overcurrent, short circuit, bus overvoltage, overheating, undervoltage protection; Working temperature 0-50 ℃; Storage -30~85 ℃.

Overview of Three Major Linear Subseries Comparison

Project Ndrive HLe (high-performance linear) Ndrive CL (economical linear) Ndrive ML (small DC linear)

Power amplifier type: linear linear linear linear

Power supply mode: two-phase AC mains input, two-phase AC mains input, DC bus power supply

Bus voltage ± 40VDC/± 80VDC ± 40VDC ± 40VDC

Peak current 10A/20A 10A 10A

Continuous current 5A/10A 5A 5A

PSO Capability Single/Dual/Three Axis PSO Only Single Axis PSO Only Single Axis PSO

Ethernet options ✅ Support ENET ❌ not supported ❌ not supported

Rotating Transformer RDP Options ✅ Support single/dual channel rotation ❌ not supported ❌ not supported

Basic IO 6DI (2 High Speed), 4DO; 1AI, 1AO 6DI (2 High Speed), 4DO; 1AI, 1AO Basic Off Board Universal DI/DO; 1AI

Expansion - IO board rear IO 16DI/16DO; 3AI/3AO 16DI/16DO； 1AI/1AO 8DI/8DO； 1AI/1AO

Encoder multiplier - MXH up to x 65536, with real-time orthogonal output - MXU up to x 8192, no real-time output - MXU (x 4096)/- MXH (x 65536)

Weight 10.36 kg 3.54 kg 1.0 kg

Installation dimensions (height × width) 234.3   mm × 206.9   mm 265.2   mm × 103.7   mm 141.0   mm × 92.1   mm

Control power supply 85-240VAC (Keep Alive) 85-240VAC (Keep Alive) 18-36 VDC

Note: The current indicators are all load related; Effective value of AC motor=peak value × 0.707.

1) Ndrive HLe (original HL upgraded model)

Sub models: HLe10-40, HLe20-40, HLe10-80

Positioning: Full featured flagship linear drive; The ± 80V high-voltage version is suitable for high back electromotive force voice coil motors;

Unique capabilities: Dual axis/three-axis PSO, RDP rotary transformer interface, ENET Ethernet; MXH encoder has a maximum multiplication of 65536 and can output orthogonal encoder signals after multiplication;

Standard configuration: ESTOP emergency stop detection input, limit, Hall sensor, motor thermistor input;

Expansion IO board: 16 isolated DI, 16 isolated DO, 3-channel 16 bit differential analog input, 3-channel 16 bit analog output, brake relay;

Mechanical: M5 mounting screws; Provide two types of exterior drawings with IO board and rotary transformer options.

2) Ndrive CL Economic Linear

Sub model: CL10-40

Positioning: Cost optimization, retaining the low noise advantage of linear power amplifiers, and eliminating high-order functions such as three-axis PSO, rotary converter, and Ethernet;

An external center tap transformer is required for power supply;

The multiplier option is MXU, with a maximum of 8192, and cannot output the encoder signal after doubling; The PSO function is not available after enabling MXU;

Expansion IO board: 16DI/16DO, 1AI/1AO, brake relay;

Mechanical: M5 screw, much smaller in volume than HLe.

3) Ndrive ML small DC linear

Sub model: ML10-40

Positioning: Space limited, DC powered equipment, with a total weight of only 1kg; no AC input; Control power supply 18-36VDC;

The main body does not come with universal digital IO, and an IO expansion board must be installed to have 8DI/8DO;

Feedback: There is only one main encoder channel; Only by installing an IO board can there be an auxiliary encoder channel for PSO;

Frequency doubling: MXU (× 4096)/MXH (× 65536); MXH supports outputting frequency doubled orthogonal signals;

Mechanical: M3.5 mounting screws, the whole machine is compact and lightweight.

Complete description of key options

Applicable models and functions of options

IO/IOPSO HLe/CL/ML IO expansion board, isolating digital IO, analog IO, brake relay, SSI Net, PSO optical isolation output

DUALPSO is only triggered by HLe biaxial vector PSO laser, relying on IO board

TRIPLEPSO is only triggered by HLe three-axis vector PSO laser, relying on IO board

PSOPTO2/3/4 only HLe different specifications PSO optocoupler isolation module

MXH HLe and ML encoder hardware doubling, up to x 65536, supports outputting orthogonal encoder signals after doubling

MXU CL, ML encoder multiplier, CL maximum x 8192, ML maximum x 4096, no encoder output; CL turning on MXU will disable PSO

ENET only uses HLe 10/100M Ethernet and third-party IO expansion

RDP1-xxK/RDP2-xxK only HLe single/dual channel rotary transformer feedback, carrier 5/7.5/10kHz

AUXPWR (Keep Alive) HLe, CL independent control power supply; Maintain logic, feedback, and communication during power outage of the main motor, used for emergency stop scenarios

Order coding rules

Example: Ndrive HLe 20-40-B-IO TRIPLEPSO ENET RDP1-10K

Basic model: Ndrive [series] [current bus voltage]

HLe voltage suffix (- A/B/C/D): - A (115VAC), - B (230VAC), - C (100VAC), - D (200/208VAC)

Control options: IO, DUALPSO, TRIPLEPSO, MXH, MXU, ENET

Rotary options (HLe only): RDP1-10K, etc

Key points of mechanical dimensions

The document comes with a complete set of 2D engineering drawings:

HLe: Distinguish between three shapes: standard, with IO board, and with IO+RDP rotary converter, with M5 mounting holes;

CL: Is there any IO board with consistent external dimensions, M5；

ML: Same appearance with or without IO board, M3.5 small screws, suitable for compact cabinets.

Ndrive Linear Series Overall Selection Guide

Need three-axis PSO, rotary transformer, Ethernet expansion, ± 80V busbar → HLe series;

Need linear low noise, limited budget, only single axis PSO, no need for rotary converter, Ethernet → CL series;

The installation space is very small, and the whole machine is a DC power supply system, pursuing lightweight → ML series.