EM-337A-SPF is a synchronized positioning controller for four brushed DC motors or actuators. It incorporates four full-bridge power stages and uses pulse feedback from each actuator to maintain synchronized speed and position.
The SPF firmware uses an analog position command, allowing the driver to operate as a multi-axis servo controller. All four actuators are positioned according to the same setpoint while the synchronization control keeps them aligned throughout the movement.
The requested actuator position is supplied as a 0–5 V or 0–10 V analog signal. The usable setpoint range can be adjusted through parameters to match the required mechanical movement range.
The controller drives all four actuators toward the commanded position while continuously monitoring their pulse feedback signals.
Each actuator must provide a pulse feedback signal representing its movement. The EM-337A-SPF compares the feedback from all four channels and adjusts the individual motor speeds so that the actuators remain synchronized.
This active correction compensates for differences in actuator speed, mechanical friction and loading. It is particularly useful when several actuators move a common structure in parallel.
A configurable difference limit determines the maximum permitted synchronization error. If the controller cannot correct the difference and the limit is exceeded, all four motors are stopped. This helps prevent twisting, jamming and mechanical damage.
Adjustable acceleration and deceleration ramps provide smooth starts, stops and direction changes. Load compensation improves operation when the individual actuators are subjected to unequal or changing loads.
The adjustable current limit protects the motors, actuators and mechanical structure against excessive current, torque and force. The current limit can be set between 1 A and 25 A.
The driver includes a 90 °C overtemperature limit and a separate 120 °C power-stage shutdown threshold.
The driver supports selectable 2 kHz and 16 kHz PWM frequencies. The 2 kHz setting provides the highest motor-current capacity, while 16 kHz enables quieter operation with reduced current capability.
The digital control inputs can operate with either NPN or PNP logic. In NPN mode, an input is active at 0–1 V. In PNP mode, an input is active at 4–30 V.
A 0–5 V analog position output is available for external position indication. The NPN open-collector fault output can be used to transmit fault information to an external control system.
A 5 V auxiliary output is available for compatible sensors or external control circuitry. The driver also includes a high-current NPN brake output.
The driver can alternatively be controlled through its half-duplex RS-485 interface. Supported communication speeds are 9.6 and 19.2 kbit/s.
The EM-337A-SPF is available as a bare controller card or installed in a DIN-rail base. Fibox enclosure options are also available. The larger PC175/100 enclosure can be supplied with an integrated 300 VA power supply.
| Nominal supply voltage | 12–24 VDC |
| Supply voltage range | 10–35 VDC |
| Undervoltage shutdown | 8 V |
| Overvoltage limit | 38 V |
| Idle current | < 20 mA |
| Continuous motor current at 2 kHz | 4 × 10 A |
| Continuous motor current at 16 kHz | 4 × 5 A |
| Motor current at 25% duty cycle, 2 kHz | 4 × 15 A |
| Motor current at 25% duty cycle, 16 kHz | 4 × 7 A |
| Motor current at 10% duty cycle, 2 kHz | 4 × 20 A |
| Motor current at 10% duty cycle, 16 kHz | 4 × 8 A |
| Maximum starting current | 4 × 25 A |
| Adjustable current limit | 1–25 A |
| Overtemperature limit | 90 °C |
| Power-stage overtemperature shutdown | 120 °C |
| PWM frequency | 2 kHz or 16 kHz |
| NPN input logic | ON = 0–1 V / OFF = 4–30 V or open |
| PNP input logic | ON = 4–30 V / OFF = 0–1 V or open |
| Control input impedance | typ. 47 kΩ or 10 kΩ |
| Maximum pulse-input frequency | 700 Hz per input channel |
| Pulse-input pull-up or pull-down resistance | 10 kΩ |
| Fault output | NPN open collector, max. 30 V / 50 mA |
| Auxiliary output | 5 V / max. 20 mA |
| Position output | 0–5 V, Rout 1 kΩ |
| Position command input | 0–5 V or 0–10 V |
| Brake output | NPN, max. 4 A |
| RS-485 | Two-wire half-duplex, 9.6 or 19.2 kbit/s |
| Supply connectors | Max. 4 mm² cable |
| Motor connectors | Max. 2.5 mm² cable |
| Control connectors | Max. 1.5 mm² cable |
| Operating temperature (Ta) | −40…+60 °C |
| Weight | 190 g |
| EMC | EN 55022B and EN 61000-6-2 / EN 61000-4-2…-6 |
| Card dimensions | 142 × 73 × 28 mm |
| Dimensions with DIN-rail base | 145 × 127 × 50 mm |
| Fibox PC150/60 enclosure | 180 × 130 × 60 mm |
| Fibox PC175/100 enclosure | 180 × 180 × 100 mm, includes 300 VA power supply |
Ordering larger quantities +100pcs.
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