Fanuc Pulsecoder

Conversion of a Fanuc Pulsecoder into a TTL encoder

How can we drive an electric motor equipped with a Fanuc Pulsecoder?

Let’s go back in time

For decades the d.c. tacho-generator was used as a speed transducer for electric motors; all the control equipment had an input for this type of transducer and there were no compatibility problems.

Then the resolvers and TTL encoders arrived, so the servo drives also had to be equipped with an input for these new types of transducers. However it was not a big problem because these new transducers were all compatible between the various manufacturers, so in case of failure it was possible to replace one manufacturer’s TTL encoder with that of another while maintaining compatibility.

Let’s return to the present day

At present the transducers situation is further complicated: each manufacturer adopts a different system to interface with the servo drives with the aim of improving performance, reducing the number of electric wires, or simply to oblige the final customer to always contact them for spare parts.

Thus serial encoders are born with different communication protocols: SSI, Profibus, Profinet, EnDAT, Fanuc, HiperFace….. So now it becomes problematic to ensure compatibility with all these encoders, especially with those “proprietary protocol” of which are not released specifications for decoding.

My equipment only has TTL encoder input, what do I do?

This question was asked many times by our customers: some have the need to translate a resolver into a TTL encoder, others have to do it starting from a serial encoder, each has its own needs. For this reason our technical department has created a multifunction module able to be programmed to convert various types of transducers into a TTL encoder: among the various converter models we find the 13/013 “Serial encoder to TTL encoder converter“.

The Fanuc pulsecoder and the 13/013 module

This module allows translating a Fanuc pulsecoder into TTL encoders with Hall sectors between the following:

  • αi64 (Type: A860-0365).
  • αiAR128 (Type: A860-2010-T341).
  • αiA1000 (Type: A860-2000).
  • α64iA (Type: A860-2014-T301).
  • αA64 (Type: A860-0360-V501 e Type: A860-0360-T001).
  • For other models contact the technical service.

The output of the 13/013 module will then be connected to a normal servo drive with input for TTL encoders + Hall sectors (from ALTER or third parties): it will thus be possible to operate the Fanuc brushless motor (permanent magnet synchronous) with any drive.

The 13/013 module is configured via the USB port connected to a PC software; most of the standard parameters are sufficient for operation, but you can customize some parameters to adapt the module to your equipment. In it there are also the following useful functions:

  1. Monitoring of serial data and communication with the Pulsecoder, with anomaly signaling on digital output.
  2. Frequency / direction output for use with particular equipment.
  3. Adjustment of motor phasing vs. transducer.

Find all the information about Module 13/013 on this page (Click here).

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