"Many of our customers are looking for ways to reduce their costs and at the same time gain more flexibility by integrating their drive systems into higher-level, open automation strategies. This is why we were asked to support CANopen. We are all the more pleased to announce that we now offer both CANopen and SAE J1939 functionality for our popular Electrak HD actuators," explains Anders Karlsson, Product Line Specialist for Linear Actuators at Thomson.

CANopen is an open industrial integration protocol based on the Controller Automation Network (CAN). Originally developed for industrial systems, it is increasingly becoming the preferred protocol in production automation - especially for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and PLC-controlled material flow.

CANopen offers the full functionality of SAE J1939, a protocol also based on the CAN network bus. However, it uses an independent standard platform that enables a directly available connection to other standard devices. This means that motion functions can be easily integrated into higher-level automation systems.

CANopen not only facilitates connectivity, however. It also enables users to control the movement of a linear component with high precision using programmable parameters such as distance traveled, temperature and speed. In turn, programs can provide data that is useful for diagnosing problems, issuing maintenance alarms, improving quality control and optimizing processes.

These data-related CANopen advantages are fully utilized by the embedded "on-board electronics" of the Thomson Electrak-HD actuator, which makes separate control units superfluous. This electric actuator thus offers an equally intelligent, powerful and compact alternative to hydraulic systems. In addition to load capacities of up to 16 kilonewtons, the Electrak HD achieves a stroke of up to one meter, adjustment speeds of up to 75 millimetres per second and is protected against adverse environmental influences with protection class IP69K.

The linear actuators with CANopen are now available. They comply with specification 301, which was published by the standards organization "CAN in Automation" (CiA). Thomson is also currently considering future implementation in other models of electromechanical linear actuators, the manufacturer also announced. as