Ethernet compatible machine controller
September 1st 2006

The dynamic control of motion delivered by the high-speed Ethernet Powerlink machine network, is behind a new generation of aircraft door trainer that is said to offer exceptional flexibility to simulate emergency conditions.

The Cabin Emergency Evacuation Trainer (CEET), made by EDM, uses Baldor's Ethernetcompatible machine controller, with two servo motor axes to control the operating characteristics of the emergency exit door's hinge and handle.

The 100Mbits/sec speed of the Ethernet control network allows EDM to dynamically vary the loading force that each of the two motors apply throughout the door's operational cycle. This gives EDM's airline clients the means to simulate a range of problems.

The motion and I/O control software is written in Mint, Baldor's machine and motion control language.

The availability of a free multi-tasking kernel avoided a lot of programming effort by allowing the code for the standalone motion control axes of the previous simulator to be imported and treated as individual tasks, giving developers a good starting point.

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