Cost-effective servo system ideal for light-duty applications

OMRON has introduced the C6 Series, an AC servo system designed for light-duty axes across modern machine automation environments. The system delivers motion control functionality across a power rating spanning 50 W to 7.5 kW, offered in 230 V single-phase and 400 V three-phase configurations.

Hardware Architecture and Mechanical Design
The C6 servo drives maintain a compact footprint with a uniform height across ratings up to 3 kW, simplifying control cabinet layouts, reducing assembly duration, and lowering installation overhead. Wiring and replacement procedures are streamlined through pluggable physical connectors dedicated to incoming power, motor connections, encoder feedback, and integrated digital I/O.

Control Specifications and Functional Safety
Feedback is provided by an integrated 26-bit motor encoder configurable for either incremental tracking or absolute positioning via battery backup. The servo drive achieves a velocity loop frequency response of 3.5 kHz and supports full closed-loop operation when paired with an external second encoder. For machine safety compliance, a hardwired Safe Torque Off (STO) function is integrated as standard, meeting ISO 13849-1 Category 4, PLe, and IEC 61508 / IEC 62061 SIL 3 criteria.

Portfolio Positioning and Software Integration
Within OMRON’s product lineup, the C6 Series serves as a cost-effective solution for light-duty motion axes, while the existing 1S Series remains designated for high-performance and heavy-duty applications extending to 15 kW. Configuration, commissioning, and system maintenance are managed directly through the Sysmac Studio integrated development platform alongside NX-series machine automation controllers, distributed I/O, sensing, machine vision, and safety hardware over a high-speed EtherCAT real-time fieldbus network.

Additional Context
This section details technical specifications not included in the original news release.

Modern AC servo architectures targeting light-duty automation rely on high-bandwidth current and velocity control loops combined with high-resolution feedback to minimize tracking errors and settling times. A 26-bit absolute encoder provides 67,108,864 counts per revolution, which significantly enhances low-speed speed-ripple suppression and micro-positioning accuracy compared to conventional 17-bit (131,072 counts/rev) or 20-bit options. High-speed feedback channels enable drive processors to execute complex disturbance observer algorithms and vibration suppression filters, counteracting resonance in mechanical couplings, belts, and ball screws.

A velocity loop frequency response of 3.5 kHz allows the drive to react rapidly to dynamic load fluctuations, maintaining phase margin and positional rigidity during aggressive acceleration and deceleration profiles. In dual-loop or full closed-loop modes, direct feedback from linear scales or secondary rotary encoders eliminates the effects of mechanical backlash, thermal expansion, and compliance inherent in drive-train components. Furthermore, network synchronization via EtherCAT Distributed Clocks (DC) achieves sub-microsecond jitter tolerances, aligning multi-axis trajectory generation across decentralized servo nodes in high-speed packaging, electronic assembly, and pick-and-place machinery.

Edited by Romila DSilva, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.