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Drive Electronics Support

Find answers to frequently asked questions, specific information about your products and their usage or special PLC configuration files. If you need a quotation or general information about our products please contact our sales or info[at]faulhaber.com.

If you have any questions, please contact us at +49 7031 638-345 or mcsupport[at]faulhaber.de or use our support contact form.

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Teamviewer Support

FAQ

General
What protection do the products have against overvoltage?

High voltage, backwards induced from the motor, is measured from the controller. The controller tries to reduce the energy if the value which is set in the controller is exceeded. Via the motor or by reducing the deceleration.

Alternatively a brake choppers can be connected to the DC-supply

Is there some sort of thermal protection for my motor?

All FAULHABER Controllers do calculate an estimated winding temperature based on the environmental temperature and the measured current. If the calculated winding temperature is higher than a first threshold, the current is limited to the configured continuous current. If the estimated winding temperature is increasing further the power-stage will finally be shut off.

Is there some sort of auto-tuning for the control loops?

Yes of course. Using the motor selection wizard all control loops are preset for the selected motor. After this it's the speed loop and the position loop that might be tuned to the application.

So in a second step the connected inertia can be identified by means of a step response test – if possible. Alternatively you can enter a best guess for the inertia of the system compared to the motor. In both cases the control parameters for the speed- and the position loop are adjusted. Same for the profile parameters. Further tuning might be necessary and is supported by our interactive tuning tool.

MC V3
Which controller should be used for an xxxx motor?

Try to select a controller where the continuous current of the motor is not less than 30% of the continuous current of the controller. So for a 3268 BX4 with a cont. current of around 2A, the MC 5005 is fine, the MC 5010 might not be the best selection.

The reason is the limited resolution of the current measurement. But anyway: it always depends of the type of operation. Position control is usually fine even for a 1A motor at a 10A driver, torque control might be somehow dissatisfying.

How is it possible to duplicate the configuration to the next Controller?

Parameterization and duplication requires the Motion Manager software. The configuration can be send and saved via the Object browser. This parameter file (XDC) can be loaded in the same way into the unconfigured device.

Is it possible to restore the delivery configuration state of the device?

The command „restore_all“ must be send via the terminal. A power cycle is needed after this command.

Do these controllers support non FAULHABER motors too?

Yes we do. In the end it's a matter of the feedback-system and the parameter range of the motor. FAULHABER controllers are optimized for coreless motors. Electrical time-constants of these motors are as low as 50µs. But even state of the art standard servo-motors with an electrical time constant of around 1ms are supported. In the end we will have to check the parameters. So either try to add your motor to the database of the FAULHABER MotionManager or send a request to mcsupport[at]faulhaber.com.

Which feedback-systems are supported by the FAULHABER controllers?

There are various feedback options. BLDC-servo-motors will typically have either digital or analog hall signals. Additionally they can have an incremental encoder. Alternatively FAULHABER motors using an AES absolute encoder can easily be used.

DC-motors will require an incremental encoder.

Do these controllers support different Abs-Encoders or Mutli-turn absolute encoders?

The MC5010, MC5005 and MC5004 do implement an SSI encoder interface. Single turn and multi-turn encoders can be configured using either SSI or BiSS interfacece. There are some restrictions however. You might want to check with our AppNote 158 or send a request to mcsupport[at]faulhaber.com.

MC V2.5
How is it possible to duplicate the configuration to the next Controller?

Parameterization and duplication requires the Motion Manager software. A parameter file (.MCP) can be generated via the menu tab "Receive file". This parameter file can be downloaded in the same way on the unconfigured device.

Is it possible to restore the delivery configuration state of the device?

- RS232:

The command „fconfig“ must be send via the terminal. A power cycle is needed after this command.

- CAN:

The command „restore_all“ must be send via the terminal. A power cycle is needed after this command.

SC
How is it possible to duplicate the configuration to the next Controller?

Parameterization and duplication requires the Motion Manager software.

In the “drive configuration” (last tab) a parameter file can be created (.BIN) This parameter file can be downloaded in the same way into the unconfigured device.

Is it possible to restore the delivery configuration state of the device?

In the drive configuration (last tab) you will find the button "Load factory settings".

Is it possible to operate BL motors without sensors?

It is not possible with Motion Controllers. The feedback signal is needed for the commutation.

The Speed Controller (except SC5004 / 8) can control BL motors without sensors feedback. The commutation point is determined by the back EMF

RS232
What are the voltage levels of the RS232?

For the MC2 / 3, a voltage level of -5.5 volts can be expected on the TxD line. The MCxx 3002 x RS and the 22xx BX4 CSD deliver -4 volts. Depending on the master system, different voltages are possible on RxD (typically a PC delivers between -5V ... -9V).

CAN
What is a typical configuration of the CANopen network settings for a FAULHABER Motioncontroller?

Baud rate might be anywhere between 125kBit and 1Mbit. We recommend to use node-guarding. Guard time could be 100ms, life time factor of the guarding = 3. Use a Synch with a minimum of 10ms. Add 1ms to the synch cycle for every node. To reduce the bus traffic send the RxPDOs only if a value has changed (transmission type 255). In most cases actual values are monitored cyclically though. So change their transmission type to 1 – every SYNCH cycle.

Even using the FAULHABER Motionmanager I don't detect any CANopen controller at all?

Check the termination resistors. The standard configuration is a 120 Ohm termination at the two ends of the bus. So if the devices are switched off, you should be able to measure a resistance of 60 Ohm between CAN_H and CAN_L.

I don't have such an ideal bus. It's more like a star configuration. Where do I place the termination.

There is no strict rule. The overall value has to be in the range of 40 Ohm to 80 Ohm. But the places with the best effect have to be identified my minimization of bus errors. Start with a 60 Ohm in the central connection.

I seem to be unable to change the PDO mapping of the FAULHABER controllers using my CAN-master.

There is a sequence for the PDO mapping. Even dynamic mapping should be done while the nodes are still in the pre-operational stage of the CAN communication. It can be done in the operational stage too. To do this, the invalid bit of the PDO has to be set first. This is the MSB of the COB-ID parameter of the PDO. Then change the mappings and reset the invalid bit again.

EtherCAT
What is the typical / minimum update rate supported by our controllers?

The minimum update rate is 500µs, typical values could be 1ms … 2ms depending on the type of operation. For a system using server based interpolation 1ms is a good choice.

What are all these different OpModes for: Which one should I use?

Profile based modes (PP, PV) are used if only a single axis is moved or if the different axes to be moved don't need a tight synchronization. These modes are ideally suited for a bus system, with limited update rate such as RS232 or CAN. Controller based scripts are the same.

Cyclic modes (CSP, CSV, CST) are used, if the trajectory of the movement is calculated in the master. This can be for a single axis or for a multi-axis configuration. In these cases even some of the control loops (most probably the pos loop only) might be closed in the master. A typical configuration is a master using NC-I interpolation and a number of slaves in CSP mode like our milling cutter demo.

Analog modes (APC, AVC, ATC) are used, if the ref-value is not to be received via bus system but via one of the discrete inputs. This can be torque-, speed- or position control using an analog ref like a potentiometer or an analog output of a PLC. It can be a PWM-ref or a ref-encoder in gear-mode.

Application Notes

Product

Version

Category

Document

Version

Category

pdf

AN 016 - MCST3601 – stallGuard2TM

Version:  - 

Category:  - 

pdf

AN 017 - MCST3601 – coolStepTM

Version:  - 

Category:  - 

pdf

AN 018 - MCST3601 – Reference Search

Version:  - 

Category:  - 

pdf

AN 019 - MCST3601 – Encoder

Version:  - 

Category:  - 

pdf

AN 103 - Transition from 3564 … BCMCXX2805 to 3564 … BCS MCXX3006

Version: V2.5

Category:  - 

pdf

AN 108 - Motion Controller RS232: Homing to Hard Stop

Version: V2.5

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 109 - Gearing Mode - What works, what doesn't?

Version: V2.5

Category: System setup

Choose Language Deutsch English

pdf

AN 110 - Home to Hard Stop (CAN-Version)Motion Controller CANopen: Homing to Hard Stop

Version: V2.5

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 126 - Adapter PA2 - MCDC

Version: V2.5

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 132 - Speed Controllers for Motors with Analogue Hall Sensors

Version:  - 

Category:  - 

Choose Language English Deutsch

pdf

AN 134 - Integration of a Faulhaber controller into a Siemens PLC

Version: V2.5

Category: CANopen

Choose Language Deutsch English

pdf

AN 143 - Integration of a Faulhaber CANopen controller into a B&R PLC

Version: V2.5

Category: CANopen

Choose Language Deutsch English

pdf

AN 149 - Beckhoff TwinCAT 3 and FAULHABER MC V2.5/V3.0 CANopen

Version: V2.5, V3.0

Category: CANopen

pdf

AN 150 - Getting started with FAULHABER EtherCAT

Version: V3.0

Category: EtherCAT

pdf

AN 151 - Feedback Control Tuning with Motion Manager 6.3 or higher

Version: V3.0

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 154 - Updating FAULHABER EtherCAT controller

Version: V3.0

Category: EtherCAT

pdf

AN 155 - Support of Third Party BLDC motors

Version: V3.0

Category: Third party components

pdf

AN 158 - Support of Absolute Encoders with SSI / BiSS-C interface

Version: V3.0

Category: Third party components

pdf

AN 159 - Position encoder on the load-side of a gearbox

Version: V3.0

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 161 - Omron PLC and FAULHABER V3.0 EtherCAT

Version: V3.0

Category: EtherCAT

pdf

AN 164 - Codesys and FAULHABER V3.0 EtherCAT

Version: V3.0

Category:  - 

pdf

AN 165 - Using BASIC Scripts of a FAULHABER Motion Controller V3.0

Version: V3.0

Category: Sequence programming

pdf

AN 169 - TwinCAT 3 NC Axes and FAULHABER MC V3.0 EtherCAT

Version: V3.0

Category: EtherCAT

pdf

AN 170 - Selecting additional inductors for small BL-Motors (< 15mm)

Version: V2.5

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 171 - Kendrion and FAULHABER MC V3.0 EtherCAT

Version: V3.0

Category: EtherCAT

pdf

AN 174 - Setup and configuration of a CANopen sub-system

Version: V2.5, V3.0

Category: CANopen

pdf

AN 176 - Tutorial on the MomanLib

Version: V2.5, V3.0

Category: RS232 / CANopen

pdf

AN 177 - Datasheet operating points of Speed Controller Systems

Version:  - 

Category:  - 

pdf

AN 178 - Reduction of PWM motor power losses using additional inductances

Version: V2.5, V3.0

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 182 - Using a separately activatable motor supply

Version: V3.0

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 183 - Equivalent DC-current in FAULHABER SC and MC

Version: V2.5, V3.0

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 184 - Adapter settings for Motion Control Systems

Version: V2.5, V3.0

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 185 - Operating a MC V3.0 EtherCAT driver as a CODESYS SoftMotion drive

Version: V3.0

Category: EtherCAT

pdf

AN 186 - Operating a FAULHABER CO driver out of a CODESYS environment

Version: V2.5, V3.0

Category: CANopen

pdf

AN 187 - Grounding, shielding and filtering - Installation of the drive system in the machine

Version: V3.0

Category: System setup

pdf

AN 188 - Settings for a RS232 network of Motion Controllers

Version: V3.0

Category: RS232

pdf

AN 189 - Designing a motherboard for a MC3001 Motion Controller

Version: V3.0

Category: System setup

zip

AN 191 - Control MC V3.0 MotionController via RS232 an Arduino Library

Version: V3.0

Category: RS232

pdf

AN 200 - SIN-COS interface and temperature sensor

Version: V3.0

Category:  - 

Downloads

Integration Electronics

  • 2232 BX4 CSD/COD
  • 2250 BX4 CSD/COD
  • 3242 BX4 CO, RS
  • 3268 BX4 CO, RS
  • 3564 BX4 CO, RS
  • MCS 3242 BX4 CO/ET/RS
  • MCS 3268 BX4 CO/ET/RS
  • MCS 3274 BP4 CO/ET/RS

Controllers

  • MCxx 3002 S/F/P
  • MCxx 3003 P
  • MCxx 3006 S
  • MC 5004 P CO/RS / ET
  • MC 5005 S CO/RS/ET
  • MC 5010 S CO/RS/ET

Libraries

ZIP

Beckhoff PLCDownload

ZIP

Omron PLCDownload

ZIP

Kendrion PLCDownload

ZIP

RaspberryPi with CODESYS ControlDownload

ZIP

MyControlLibDownload

ZIP

FAULHABER MomanLib (Win32 Programming Library)
Check the FAULHABER AppNote 176 for more Detail
Download

Software examples

A collection of examples for device scripting, with additional comments in Code.

Good for Beginners and Intermediates

ZIP

MC V2.5 / MC V3.0 Sample programsDownload

Integration Electronics

  • 2232 BX4 CSD/COD
  • 2250 BX4 CSD/COD
  • 3242 BX4 CO, RS
  • 3268 BX4 CO, RS
  • 3564 BX4 CO, RS

Controllers

  • MCxx 3002 S/F/P
  • MCxx 3003 P
  • MCxx 3006 S

Firmware

ZIP

MC V2.5 Firmware 3150.12 C for CS-BX4, CSD-BX4,

MCBL3003P-RS, MCBL3006S-RS, MCBL3002x-RS

Download

Support Files

PDF

Instructions for installing the FilesDownload

ZIP

Files for the Motion Manager (*.xdd)Download

ZIP

Files for CAN master / PLC (*.eds)Download

Integrated Electronics

  • MCS 3242 BX4 CO/ET/RS
  • MCS 3268 BX4 CO/ET/RS
  • MCS 3274 BP4 CO/ET/RS

Controllers

  • MC 3001 P CO/RS
  • MC 3001 B CO/RS
  • MC 5004 P CO/RS/ET
  • MC 5005 S CO/RS/ET
  • MC 5010 S CO/RS/ET

Firmware

ZIP

MC V3.0 Firmware L 03/2021 – FirmwareDownload

PDF

MC V3.0 Firmware L 03/2021 – Release NotesDownload

ZIP

MC V3.0 Firmware K 01/2020 – FirmwareDownload

PDF

MC V3.0 Firmware K 01/2020 – Release NotesDownload

PDF

MC V3.0 Firmware J 11/2018 – Release NotesDownload

PDF

MC V3.0 Firmware I 11/2017 – Release NotesDownload

PDF

MC V3.0 Firmware H 05/2017 – Release NotesDownload

Motion Controller

  • MCST 3601

Example files

ZIP

IDE and example filesDownload

How-to-videos

FAULHABER Drive Time Basics

1

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Mario Zeccin describes how create maximum efficient drive systems. What influences the efficiency and what should be taken care of in selection of your components if maximum efficiency is your target.

3

In diesem neuen FAULHABER Drive Time-Video erklärt unser Experte Andreas Knebel aus welchen Komponenten ein Antriebssystem besteht.

4

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Marco Härle explains how to unpack FAULHABER products and handle them in an ESD-compliant manner.

Getting started with Drive Electronics

1

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener gives you an overview about Drive Electronics.

2

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener shows you how to connect FAULHABER Motors to the Drive Electronics.

3

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener shows you how to commission your Drive System with the FAULHABER Motion Manager.

Motion Controller Tuning

1

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener shows you how a motor control is constructed.

2

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener explains how to set tuning parameters in FAULHABER Motion Manager.

3

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener shows how to do simple tuning for FAULHABER Motion Controller V3.0.

4

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener shows how to do tuning for high inertia.

5

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener shows how to compensate disturbance with tuning.

6

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener shows how to operate a 3rd party motor with FAULHABER Motion Manager.

7

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Andreas Wagener describes how different encoder systems influence the control loop.

8

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Andreas Wagener describes how different encoder systems influence the control loop and shows the detailed procedure for each encoder.

How to use discrete inputs

1

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener gives you an introduction into the topic of how to use discrete I/Os for FAULHABER Motion Controller stand alone operation.

2

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener gives you an overview about how to use analog inputs as target values.

3

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener explains how to use analog input for target speed.

4

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener shows how to use analog input for target position.

5

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Dr. Andreas Wagener shows how to use analog input as switch.

Stepper Motor

1

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Julien Berger shows how to connect a FAULHABER Stepper Motor to a Motion Controller.

2

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Julien Berger shows how to select a winding for a FAULHABER Stepper Motor.

3

In this new FAULHABER Drive Time video, our expert Julien Berger shows how to use Microstepping with a FAULHABER Stepper Motor.

More videos

Webinars

Faulhaber EMC Book, VOGEL Edition

Improving EMC of controlled electric drives

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The Webinar will give an overview why and when EMI is happening and which measures need to be taken to enable EMC and thus a robust and compliant operation of a controlled electric drive.

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Noise and vibrations reduction with small drive systems

English

In this webinar you will learn what causes vibrations and noise in the application and how these issues can be addressed using a drive system. Starting with the basics of vibrations, their mode and ...

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FAULHABER Drive systems selection for industrial automation

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In this webinar you can see the main drive system technologies designed for industrial automation, with specific design to meet the important requirements.

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FAULHABER Drive systems for medical applications

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In this webinar you can see the main drive system technologies used in many medical applications, with specific design to meet the high-level requirements in this field. From laboratory instruments to ...

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FAULHABER Product Group image

Using controller based BASIC scripts for distributed local automation

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The webinar about local scripting will give short introduction of the BASIC dialect and the MotionController specific enhancements. The coding environment integrated within the FAULHABER MotionManager ...

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Drive systems for space applications

English

In this webinar, held in English, our expert will drive you through our experiences in space applications, starting with an overview about space economy and the importance of commercial off the shelf ...

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Motion Controllers Series MC 3001

The new MC 3001

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Meet the smallest Motion Controller that is available worldwide! In this webinar, we will introduce you to our new MC 3001 Motion Controllers, available as MC 3001 B (board-to-board connectors) or MC ...

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FAULHABER Speed Controller - Optimal use and customer-specific adaptation

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FAULHABER Speed Controllers are specifically designed to get the most out of FAULHABER DC and BL motors. They are compact, easy to operate and offer precise as well as efficient speed control.

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webinar faulhaber vibration noise reduction

Noise Emission with small Drive Systems

English

In this webinar, our expert will tell you everything there is to know about vibrations and noise in a drive system, what causes it and how these issues can be addressed.

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FAULHABER Campaign Feel the Power

Motion Control & Speed Control

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If you are interested in learning more about our MotionControl, the easy to use single axis positioning controllers tailor made for the control of FAULHABER DC, Brushless, linear motors and the ...

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Drive System Technology Selection

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In less than 45 minutes, our webinar will get you set to select the right system for your application, based on your specific requirements and desired product characteristics.

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TechNews
Drive Electronics
New products
New family member for the medium power range

FAULHABER has added another extremely compact Motion Controller without housing to its product range. The new Motion Controller is ideal for integration in equipment manufacturing and medical technology applications. With 36 V and 3 A (peak current 9 A), it covers the power range up to approx. 100 W…

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