New CTRIO

[johnofeasttex]

Checking on the status of the new CTRIO design. Any idea how long before it is available to the market?

[BobO]

It is currently being held hostage by UL over the connector of all things. Weird. We've been shipping UL certified products with the same connector for a very long time...but...something changed apparently.

As soon as we get through UL, ADC will start the launch process, after which it should be about 4 months to the shelf.

[WRT]

If you were down to dealing with connector bureaucrats in July, when will the new documentation be made available, at least on a preliminary basis?

[BobO]

They have finally finished the connector test, and I think it passed. I don't know if we have gotten formal approval, but it is close.

We met with ADC on starting the launch process, and I know CTRIO2 is officially in the pipe. I have not heard anything from them about when they will be assigning documentation resources. I doubt that it has happened yet, since I haven't gotten any questions from them.

Here is the rundown of the changes:
1. Significantly faster processor. Typical scan types won't exceed a few hundred micro seconds.
2. Inputs are 1MHz.
3. Outputs are 250KHz.
4. All counting and pulsing functions are fully digital. This should fix the spurious direction change issues with certain types of encoders.
5. New PLS discrete profile. Not an optimal implementation...1 bit per table. If you want to use all 4 outputs, you have to load 4 tables. Sorry.
6. All existing profile types (except DynaVel) are capped at 65535Hz. This was to maintain compatibility with existing CTRIO.
7. Dynamic velocity supports the full 250KHz.
8. Two new pulse profile types: Dynamic Position Plus, and Trapezoid w/Limits.
   a. DynaPos+ adds asymmetrical accel/decel, 250KHz max freq, and encoder feedback. The encode feedback mechanism is pretty simplistic. You set the ratio between the stepper and encoder and specify a deadband in counts, and we close the loop on the encoder. Works pretty well when setup correctly, but it isn't intended to be a replacement for true motion. You can also send it to a new position before arriving at the previous, and it will accel or decel or reverse as required to get there. Suspend does a decel rather than an abrupt stop...meaning...it's actually useful now. This single profile can do prett7 much all of your positioning.
   b. Trapezoid w/Limits does all of the same stuff as DynaPos+ as far as suspend and encoder feedback. It allows you to run to a limit switch, then decel to a creep freq and stop at another switch...or...run to a limit switch then go to a position (specified by Parm3) relative to the switch. When position is specified, an encoder can be used to determine the position. This becomes a pretty nifty home search or registration function.

Other than that, it is essentially a drop in replacement for the CTRIO.

No, it isn't all that we wanted it to be. Host is currently developing a new CPU, control engine, and programming software...very cool stuff...and a very big job. After shipping that...hopefully early next year...we will be starting a couple of new modules that will be very tightly integrated with the new control engine. Rather than trying to cram it all in one module, we thought it best to separate the high speed counter functions and the motion functions into two module. So we will be reviewing all of the function requests at that time and will see if we can't get you a proper motion module with all the stuff you need. In the meantime, the CTRIO2 should be a nice improvement on the current CTRIO.

[johnofeasttex]

Have we had any word from Automation Direct on a time line for release? I have been holding out for an upgrade to one of our systems that the new features would be great for. If it is going to be long, I will have to start looking at alternatives.

[BobO]

I got an email from the product manager at ADC, about a week ago, expressing interest in starting the launch process. So...<dramatic pause>...I think we are finally going to be moving forward on this. There are handful of Host products in the pipe (some very major) and I think we are finally moving forward on many of them. As I am not the guy with direct control of these things I cannot say for certain, but, once products get entered into ADC's launch system there is every reason to believe that product will be on the shelf in 4 to 6 months.

[johnofeasttex]

Have had any new news on the release. AD is being kinda tight lipped.

[BobO]

Oops...sorry for the delayed response...

We are launching the CTRIO2 at the same time as the new MX CPUs, during Q1. It is done, except for whatever additional firmware tweaks we make between now and then, but due to manual resources and the normal ADC launch process, will be going out with the new PLC.

[scott.lawrence]

any news yet? it's mid-Q1.......

[BobO]

Well...it's still done...and still not launched. Basically it got bound to the 275 project, and will ship when it does.

The good news is that both the 275 and CTRIO2 are currently in pre-launch testing at ADC. This is the last milestone prior to loading into the launch system, which will produce an actual launch date. Best guess for product on the shelf is June.

[scott.lawrence]

thanks for the update!