ACO5000D by Kollmorgen

The ACO5000D is an indexer driver produced by Kollmorgen and positioned within the 5000 Indexer Drivers series. It functions as the motion-control unit in automation cells, issuing position commands that downstream amplifiers translate into motor current. By storing and executing predefined move sequences, it offloads trajectory calculations from the PLC and shortens machine cycle times. This arrangement lets the controller handle recurring indexing patterns locally while the PLC remains focused on overall machine logic. In packaging, assembly, or pick-and-place stations, the unit coordinates multiple axes so that synchronized starts, stops, and velocity changes occur without external interpolation hardware.

The control electronics operate from a logic supply of 24 VDC, and system integration is handled through 8 opto-isolated digital inputs plus four digital outputs for status or handshake signals. Two analog outputs provide velocity or torque references to external drives when required. Energy drawn by the internal processor and I/O circuitry is converted with 96% efficiency at nominal load, limiting heat generation inside the cabinet. Position feedback enters through a 5 V TTL differential encoder channel, and the same connector offers a +5 VDC sensor supply for incremental transducers. Pulse trains or step-direction streams can be generated up to 5000 Hz, giving compatible drives enough resolution for fine positioning even on high-speed linear stages.

Timing integrity is maintained by a frequency tolerance of 0.5%, so repeated moves retain their programmed duration across temperature shifts. The hardware is specified for ambient conditions up to 40 °C and for continuous service at altitudes not exceeding 2000 m without derating. Up to 32 motor parameter sets can be stored internally, allowing fast changeover between different axes or product recipes without external memory cards. The analog channels can also report live axis variables back to connected equipment, which supports real-time supervision without adding a separate monitoring module.