September 1, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Elwood-Gettys Group Announces Integrated Servo Motor / Drive

Racine , WI — Elwood-Gettys Group announces the release of the new SERCOS-based SI-SERIES Integrated Servo Motor/Drive. The SI-Series marries Elwood-Gettys' S-Series of "ruggedized" industrial brushless AC servo motors with a fully digital intelligent servo drive. Combining the drive with the motor eliminates bulky and expensive cables, greatly simplifying installation and significantly reducing total installed cost. Additional benefits include elimination of electrical noise (EMI) related problems and reduction of potential failure points.

Designed for use in multi-axis distributed control applications, the SI-Series' intelligent servo drive utilizing state -of-the-art DISC (Distributed Industrial Servo Control) Technology (Patent Pending) from ARM Automation, Inc. (Austin,TX). The DISC unit communicates with 3rd party machine controllers via a fiber optic or twisted pait SERCOS interface. (Analog, Profibus, DeviceNet, and other interfaces will be available in the near future.) Full digital control allows each DISC unit to execute current, torque, velocity, position, and trajectory commands while providing high-performance motion coordination and electronic gearing. In addition to communication and servo control, each DISC unit is capable of interfacing with local/O and secondary feedback devices.

Built to withstand the harshest industrial environments, the SI-Series' servomotor can be sealed to IP=68 standards and is rated to 180 degrees Celsius. Frame sizes range from 2" to 7" (200W to 6KW), and numerous stack and winding configurations are available. A specially designed "Food Grade" version incorporates a finless aluminum housing. FDA-Approved epoxy coating, stainless steel shaft, and nickel-plated connectors.

The SI-Series' overall construction was modularized wherever possible to facilitate customization for OEM requirements and to improve serviceability in the field. In addition to SERCOS, other protocols such as Ethernet, FireWire, DeviceNet, RS-232/RS-485 and Analog can be easily accommodated. Internal feedback options include incremental, multi-turn absolute encoder or resolver. Mechanical modifications include special connectors, special shafting, special mounting flange dimensions, and an internal electro-mechanical fail-safe brake.

Elwood-Gettys has been a leading manufacturer high in performance stepper and servo motor products for over 40 years. ARM Automation has been developing custom and motion control solutions using DIC technology since 1993.