Polaris CNC Motion Control System
Polaris Motion provides CNC motion controllers for precision laser micromachining, laser additive manufacturing (LAM), 3D metal printing, and for ultra precision optics manufacturing. We specialize in CNC motion control systems that use laser tools and single-point diamond tools. Many other tools are supported, including metal cutting tools, grinding tools and dispensing. Our platform may be used on standard XYZ stages and for robotics. Custom machines such as hardware in the loop simulators for aerospace and automotive are also supported.
For laser processing, our CNC motion controllers use infinite field of view technology (IFOV) for synchronizing stages, Galvo scanners and lasers automatically. We also support laser wobble and 3D scanning.
Fig 1: Polaris Motion Control System using Native Polaris Drives for Best Coordination and Synchronization
Our CNC motion control system supports 3, 5 and full-featured 9 axis coordinated motion. High performance coordination and synchronization is provided for all XYZ-ABC-UVW axes.
The Polaris CNC motion control system includes powerful, easy-to-use software, controllers, drives and peripheral devices for everything you need to control a state-of-the art OEM machine tool.
The CNC controller and drives are connected using PMDi’s patented Gbps real time motion control network Mercury™. The CNC controller uses Intel processors running standard Linux and real-time electronics to manage all the motion, data acquisition and networking tasks.
A Polaris drive provides power to the actuator, computes its own servo loop, and responds to the controller. A dedicated processor in each drive makes higher order feedback filters possible. Servo rates as high as 100 kHz may be achieved. Other Polaris components include digital I/O, analog I/O, pulse & direction, and XY2-100 modules.
The following illustration shows a typical Polaris system configuration for a CNC laser micro machine. By using all native Polaris drive components, the best possible coordination and synchronization is achieved for optimal infinite field of view performance.
In addition to native Polaris drive technology, we offer an easy interface to third party drives, ac servo motors and third party Galvo scanner systems. Several Polaris modules make this possible including: a four axis pulse/direction module, a 4 axis +/-10V servo module, and for 3rd party Galvo scanners we have XY2-100 and SL2-100 modules.
Fig 2: Polaris Motion Control System Interfacing with 3rd Party Drive and Galvoscanner Systems
Performance Motion
The Polaris CNC motion controller features advanced path planning including G-code processing, cubic splines, PVT profiles, and jerk control. Example setpoint rates as high as 50,000/s per axis for a system having 8 axes of motion. The Polaris controller and drives perform double floating point calculations for the highest resolution and dynamic range of any motion control system in the industry.
The servo loop executes in the drive where the loop rate is guaranteed. Polaris drives are used to control demanding actuators, including brushed and brush-less dc motors, voice coil actuators and Galvo scanner motors.
Polaris drives offer high-speed, high-precision synchronization of servos and Galvos with laser and camera triggers.
Powerful Computing
The Polaris motion controller connects to a HMI over Ethernet. Gigabit Ethernet is supported with a high bandwidth data transfer mechanism. The controller has a large permanent memory which can be used to store motion programs, G-code files, configuration files and it can be used for data logging. The controller manages all real time motion and real time networking tasks with its powerful Intel processor and fast digital logic.
