Authorised Mitsubishi Electric Channel Partner · Authorised Oriental Motor Distributor
Oriental Motor · Authorised Distributor India
Multi-axis controllers and network-compatible drivers for stepper and servo systems.
Oriental Motor controllers and network drivers connect stepper, closed-loop and brushless motors to your PLC or industrial network. Network drivers let a PLC command position, speed and read status over a single cable, replacing pulse outputs and discrete I/O wiring.
Multi-axis controllers and network converters handle several axes from one connection, and Oriental Motor’s free setup software makes parameter setting, test operation and monitoring straightforward.
AB Automation integrates Oriental Motor networks with Mitsubishi Electric and other PLCs every day, so we can help you choose the right driver type and get the communication running quickly.
Oriental Motor groups its network-ready products under the FLEX concept. A FLEX driver has the positioning controller built in: operating data such as travel amount, speed and acceleration is stored inside the driver, so the PLC does not need a pulse-generating positioning module. The same driver can then be commanded in three ways: simple I/O signals, Modbus RTU over RS-485, or an FA network such as CC-Link, MECHATROLINK or EtherCAT through a network converter.
Beyond FLEX, Oriental Motor also offers drivers that connect directly to an FA network master. AZ Series drivers are available in EtherCAT (CiA402 drive profile), EtherNet/IP and PROFINET types, plus 2-, 3- and 4-axis EtherCAT multi-axis drivers, and the CVD Series has a 4-axis EtherCAT driver for PKP 2-phase and 5-phase stepper motors. Oriental Motor describes the two approaches as a 'motion system', where fast synchronised communication and interpolation are needed, and a 'field system', where each axis behaves like a network I/O slave and high-speed synchronisation is not required.
For robots built from AZ Series axes, the MRC01 robot controller adds kinematics on top. It controls in-house built articulated, SCARA and delta robots (and the MRC01-C version Cartesian/gantry robots), takes commands from a PLC over EtherNet/IP or from its own I/O, and is programmed with the MRC Studio software rather than ladder logic. MEXE02, the free support software, covers parameter setting, teaching, monitoring and backup for the driver side.
Start with what the PLC already has and how the axes must move together. If the machine needs interpolated or tightly synchronised motion across several axes, choose a driver that connects directly to a motion network such as EtherCAT. If each axis simply moves to stored positions on command, a field-type connection through Modbus RTU or a network converter is usually enough and costs less.
Remember that FLEX drivers already contain the positioning function, so for point-to-point jobs you may not need a positioning module or pulse outputs at all.
Pulse control is familiar and simple: the PLC generates pulse and direction signals and the driver follows. It needs a pulse output or positioning module per axis and a multi-core cable per driver, and the PLC only learns about alarms or actual position if extra signals are wired back.
With network control, commands, parameters and status travel over one communication cable. The PLC can read alarm codes, position and load information directly, change speeds or positions without rewiring, and add axes by daisy-chaining. The trade-off is that someone must set up the network configuration and the data mapping, and troubleshooting needs basic network knowledge. For one or two axes on a tight budget, pulse still makes sense; as axes and diagnostics requirements grow, network control usually wins on wiring and commissioning time.
A network converter (gateway) sits between the PLC's FA network and a chain of Oriental Motor RS-485 (FLEX) drivers. To the PLC it appears as one network node, for example a remote device station on CC-Link, while on the other side it talks Oriental Motor's own RS-485 protocol to the drivers.
This lets you put AZ Series, stepper, brushless and actuator products on CC-Link, MECHATROLINK or EtherCAT without a network-specific driver for each. Oriental Motor positions it for field systems such as index tables, conveyors and X-Y stages where axes do not need high-speed synchronisation.
On a pulse-controlled machine, every axis needs its own positioning output, pulse cable and I/O wiring back to the PLC. On a network machine, the same axes share one daisy-chained communication cable. Oriental Motor's 4-axis CVD EtherCAT driver goes further by putting four drive circuits in one 160 × 100 mm unit, and the AZ multi-axis drivers do the same for up to four AZ axes.
Fewer terminations mean fewer wiring errors during panel building and fewer loose connections to hunt down later, which matters for OEMs building the same machine repeatedly and for plants in India where maintenance teams often have to trace faults under time pressure.
MEXE02 is Oriental Motor's free support software for its data-setting drivers. From a PC you can edit operating data in a table, set parameters, jog and teach positions, run test operations and watch I/O, status, alarms and waveforms on several monitor screens at once. Settings can be saved and copied, which makes replacing a driver or building a second machine much quicker.
For robots, MRC Studio handles the robot side: initial setup of the mechanism, programming with simple command selection and checking operation with a 3D simulator. Because robot programs live in the MRC01, the PLC program can stay unchanged when the robot motion is edited.
| Direct FA network drivers (AZ Series) | EtherCAT (CiA402 drive profile, ESI file), EtherNet/IP, PROFINET (Conformance Class B, GSD file), Modbus TCP/UDP on DC input mini driver |
|---|---|
| Network converters (gateways) | NETC02-CC (CC-Link Ver.2), NETC01-CC (CC-Link Ver.1.1), NETC01-M2 (MECHATROLINK-II), NETC01-M3 (MECHATROLINK-III), NETC01-ECT (EtherCAT) |
| Axes per network converter | Up to 16 (NETC02-CC, NETC01-M2, NETC01-M3, NETC01-ECT); up to 12 (NETC01-CC) |
| Converter power supply | 24 VDC ±10%, 0.2 A |
| Modbus RTU (RS-485) | Up to 31 drivers per serial communication module; operating data, parameters and commands over RS-485 |
| Multi-axis EtherCAT drivers | AZ Series 2, 3 and 4-axis (24/48 VDC); CVD Series 4-axis for PKP 2-phase / 5-phase steppers (24 VDC) |
| EtherCAT communication (CVD multi-axis) | 100 Mbps, 100BASE-TX; DC mode cycle from 0.5 ms; CiA402 drive profile |
| Driver power supply options | 24/48 VDC, single-phase 100–120 VAC, single-phase / three-phase 200–240 VAC (by driver type) |
| MRC01 robot controller | 24 VDC; EtherNet/IP to host; 8 direct inputs / 8 outputs; RS-485 to AZ Series drivers; up to 64 programs |
| Software | MEXE02 support software (free download); MRC Studio for MRC01 (free download, trial available) |
| Type | Description | Key ratings |
|---|---|---|
| AZD-KED / AZD-AED / AZD-CED | AZ Series EtherCAT drive-profile drivers | 24/48 VDC, single-phase 100–120 VAC, single/three-phase 200–240 VAC |
| AZD2B-KED / AZD3A-KED / AZD4A-KED / AZD4C-KED | AZ Series EtherCAT multi-axis controllers/drivers (4C = slim type) | 2, 3 or 4 axes; 24/48 VDC |
| AZ Series EtherNet/IP and PROFINET drivers | Direct connection to EtherNet/IP or PROFINET masters for AZ motors and AZ-equipped actuators | PROFINET Conformance Class B |
| CVD4A-KED / CVD4AR-KED | CVD Series 4-axis EtherCAT driver for PKP 2-phase / 5-phase stepper motors (R = right-angle connectors) | 24 VDC, 160 × 100 mm, 110 g |
| NETC02-CC / NETC01-CC | CC-Link network converters to Oriental Motor RS-485 (remote device station) | Ver.2: up to 16 axes; Ver.1.1: up to 12 axes |
| NETC01-ECT / NETC01-M2 / NETC01-M3 | EtherCAT, MECHATROLINK-II and MECHATROLINK-III network converters | Up to 16 axes each |
| MRC01 / MRC01-C | Robot controllers for custom-built robots on AZ Series axes (articulated, SCARA, delta / Cartesian-gantry) | 24 VDC, EtherNet/IP |
| MEXE02 | Free support software for data setting, teaching, monitoring and backup of Oriental Motor drivers | Free download |
Specifications are indicative. Contact us for the exact model, availability, lead time and pricing.
Guide rails and stops on a carton or pouch machine are moved by AZ Series axes on EtherCAT. The PLC sends new positions for each product format, and the absolute sensor means no homing after power-up.
Format change from the HMI without manual adjustment
A DGII hollow rotary actuator and linear axes are put on the plant's existing CC-Link network through an NETC02-CC converter. Each axis runs stored positions like an I/O slave, which is all an indexing job needs.
Adds axes without adding PLC positioning modules
Stepper axes for traverse and take-up on a winding or texturising machine are controlled over Modbus RTU from a small PLC or HMI, with speeds and strokes changed as data rather than by rewiring.
Recipe changes over one RS-485 line
An X-Y stage and rotary axis for stone positioning use AZ Series drivers so the controller can read position and alarm data directly. Closed-loop monitoring helps catch a missed position before it becomes a wrong measurement.
Position and alarm data visible to the host
Brushless motor drivers with RS-485 run conveyor sections at speeds set over Modbus RTU, while the PLC reads load and alarm status for maintenance.
Speed changes and diagnostics without extra analog wiring
An in-house built SCARA made from AZ Series axes is controlled by an MRC01. The line PLC starts programs over EtherNet/IP while the robot motion is programmed and tested separately in MRC Studio.
Robot and PLC programming split between engineers
Compact AZ DC-input axes on a multi-axis EtherCAT driver move pipetting heads and trays in a benchtop instrument, keeping cabling inside a small enclosure manageable.
Up to four axes from one compact driver
An older machine with a pulse-output controller keeps its controller but moves to pulse-input AZ drivers with RS-485, so alarms and position can be monitored without rewriting the whole control program.
Better diagnostics with minimal control changes
Source: Oriental Motor USA blog – Case Study: SCARA and Cartesian/Gantry Robots for Automated Assembly
Need the complete system? See our plc, hmi & motion control service.
Yes. RS-485 (Modbus RTU) and network driver types can be controlled from Mitsubishi Electric PLCs. As a Mitsubishi Electric channel partner as well, we set up both sides.
A network driver reduces wiring, lets the PLC read position, alarms and status directly, and makes it easier to change motion parameters from the PLC.
A network converter (for example NETC02-CC for CC-Link or NETC01-ECT for EtherCAT) translates your PLC's FA network into Oriental Motor's RS-485 protocol. Use one when you want several RS-485 (FLEX) drivers to appear as a single node on an existing network, typically up to 12 or 16 axes per converter.
Yes. MEXE02 is a free download from Oriental Motor. It is used to set operating data and parameters, teach positions, run test operation and monitor status, I/O, alarms and waveforms from a PC.
Oriental Motor states up to 31 drivers can be connected to one serial communication module over RS-485 (Modbus RTU). In practice the count also depends on the cycle time your application needs.
Yes. AZ Series drivers are available as EtherCAT drive-profile types (AC and DC input), as 2 to 4-axis EtherCAT multi-axis drivers, and the CVD Series has a 4-axis EtherCAT driver for PKP stepper motors. Other products can join EtherCAT through the NETC01-ECT converter.
Usually the one your PLC already speaks. If you need synchronised or interpolated motion, pick a direct-connection driver on a motion network such as EtherCAT; for simple positioning on a Mitsubishi CC-Link system, a CC-Link converter or Modbus RTU is often the simpler route. Share your PLC model and axis count and we will suggest the most economical option.
Closed-loop stepping motor with a battery-free ABZO mechanical absolute sensor.
Stepper Drivers2-phase and 5-phase microstepping drivers and motor packages — low vibration, affordable, ideal for OEM machines.
Brushless MotorsCompact, high-efficiency brushless motor and driver packages, 30 – 400 W.