Hardware

Two controllers, one footprint

The controllers do the time-critical work in hardware and firmware: step pulses up to 500,000 steps per second, ramps, limits, homing and E-Stop. Both controllers share the same footprint and connections: 8.0 × 5.2 in (203 × 132 mm), Ethernet interface and opto-isolated I/O.

AMT SyncSys Ax

Ethernet motion and I/O controller

3 axes — STEP, DIR and ENABLE to external stepper or servo drives
Coordinated motion — not CNC interpolated motion
16 to 500,000 steps/s per axis, trapezoidal ramps
Three modes per axis: Positioning, Feeder-Index, Spindle
LIM+ and LIM− per axis; LIM+ also serves as HOME
4 digital inputs, 4 digital outputs, 2 analog inputs
Position-synchronized outputs: DO1, DO2, DO3 for X, Y, Z
E-Stop gates every step output in hardware

AMT SyncSys IO

The same controller for I/O only — no motion

13 digital outputs
10 digital inputs
2 analog inputs
3 fast pulse channels, 16 Hz to 500 kHz — a steady clock or an exact burst of pulses*
E-Stop stops the fast channels and holds the other outputs
Input and output polarity set per channel

* Fast pulse channels are provided in a coming firmware release.

15–30 VdcSupply, 24 Vdc nominal; reverse-polarity protected

Opto-isolatedDigital inputs and outputs

48 V / 150 mAUser outputs, open collector

8.0 × 5.2 × 1.5 in203 × 132 × 38 mm, without mating plugs

Drawings

Board layout and connections

Pluggable PTSM terminal connectors throughout; the main power connector is keyed. Click a drawing to open the full PDF.

AMT SyncSys board layout and connector locations

Board Layout and Connector Locations Open PDF →

SyncSys Ax Connection Diagram Open PDF →

SyncSys IO Connection Diagram Open PDF →

Growing the System

Several controllers, one script

The same AMT Script Engine that runs one controller also runs several — no separate edition is needed. One machine can use up to 2 SyncSys Ax and 4 SyncSys IO controllers on the same network.

Up to 6 axes: X Y Z on the first motion controller, U V W on the second
Up to 48 inputs, 60 outputs, 12 analog inputs and 12 fast pulse channels, numbered on from one controller to the next — a script simply says OUTPUT,17,ON
Only what is installed is accepted: the editor and the script check refuse an axis, input or output the machine does not have
Every controller is checked at connect; E-Stop and every stop act on all controllers
Moves, synchronized outputs and pulses are timed within each controller — put axes and outputs that must be timed together on the same controller

Safety

Fail-safe by design

E-Stop: a normally-closed loop; an open loop (pressed, or a broken wire) stops the machine. On SyncSys Ax it gates every step output in hardware.
Limit inputs: normally closed; a broken wire reads as tripped.
Watchdog: with the communications watchdog set, a controller stops on its own if the PC or the network stops talking to it.
Low-voltage detection: the controller makes itself safe and records how it last shut down.
Start-up: driver ENABLE outputs are off at power-up.

Safety note: the E-Stop input is a control function. A machine's safety circuit must still remove power through its own safety-rated hardware.

Ordering

Order items

AMT SyncSys Ax	3-axis motion and I/O controller
AMT SyncSys IO	I/O controller, no motion
AMT Script Engine	Operator and runtime software, for one controller or up to 6 (2 SyncSys Ax and 4 SyncSys IO)
Accessories	Mating plug connectors

1- and 2-axis versions are available as OEM specials. Full specifications →

Two controllers, one footprint

AMT SyncSys Ax

AMT SyncSys IO

Discuss your machine.