MCS2

The MCS2 series is based on a highly modular system concept which allows SmarAct to provide you with a perfectly adapted and pre-configured control system. 

MCS2 controller are available in product variants for different drive technologies with a variable number of channels. Technology specific power amplifiers are integrated into the controller. Different interface options are available. Optional  I/O modules may be integrated for external trigger and synchronization tasks. A hand control module may be integrated into 3-channel controller or may be connected externally. Table-top and rack module housing options are possible. 

The MCS2 is designed to support positioning stages with the following drive technologies: 

Stick-Slip Piezo Drives  Scanner Piezo Drives  Electromagnetic Drives 

All MCS2 variants share the same basic control concepts and the same application programming interface. Available operating modes as well as specialized firmware features may vary between drivers. 

The driver modules are the core components of every MCS2 configuration. These modules contain the technology specific power amplifiers. They connect to the host interface and to optional I/O modules. These modules perform signal processing of the sensor data from the sensor modules, they host the control loops to perform closed-loop position control and output signal generation as well as control logic, etc.

Its stringent modular design makes it the perfect choice for all fields of application. To meet the specific requirements of each setup, product variants for three positioning stages up to variants with an EtherCAT® interface for real-time control of the most complex multi-axis systems are available.

• Powerful
  • Compatible with all SmarAct stages with stick-slip piezo drives, scanner piezo drives and electromagnetic direct drives with or without integrated positioning sensors
  • 3 to 18 channels in one controller
  • Integrated technology specific power amplifiers
  • Support for S, L, I position sensors with nanometer resolution
  • Fast control loop with up to 50 kHz
  • Is able to utilize SmarAct’s PICOSCALE Interferometer as a high-resolution position sensor with picometer resolution
• Smart
  • Well documented property-based Application Programming Interface (API) for Linux and Windows 
  • SCPI based ASCII command protocol for ethernet interface 
  • Different closed-loop trajectory generators for point-to-point, streaming and waveform generator movements:
    • Synchronous motion of multiple axes
    • Closed-loop positioning with velocity and acceleration control and high-resolution positioning accuracy 
    • Complex customizable trajectories with up to 1 kHz trajectory point frequency 
    • Open-loop scan modes for sub-nm motion of piezo driven stages 
    • Waveform Generator for trajectory generation based on predefined wave forms 
  • Sensor power save mode for thermal management in vacuum applications
  • Positioner ID System to automatically detect and configure connected stages
• Versatile
  • USB and Ethernet interface available 
  • EtherCAT® interface enabling integration of the SmarAct-products into a larger sensor/actuator system of the customer with real-time performance 
  • Intuitive Hand Control Module for precise, manual control with graphical display and tactile control via 2D joysticks, buttons and knobs 
  • Optional I/O Modules with digital and analog inputs and outputs for external triggering and synchronization 
• User Friendly
  • Service Tool for easy setup and quick testing 
  • Comprehensive Programmers Guide 
  • Programming examples for C/C++, Python and LabVIEW™ 
• Upgradeable
  • In the field firmware update system 
  • Sophisticated firmware modules