PLC
Programmable controllers — five families, one compiled architecture
From an ultra-slim 25.2 mm machine-mounted controller to an EtherCAT master driving 32 axes. Compiled code, 200 kHz pulse outputs, and CAN expansion to 64 modules on the mainstream families.
All five families share a compiled architecture rather than an interpreter. The result is a scan cycle more than ten times faster than an interpreting controller at the same clock, and a program that cannot be decompiled from the hardware — a property machine builders tend to care about more than the microsecond figure.
Pulse-type control covers stepper and pulsed-servo drives at modest axis counts: FAs, FAT, FGs, FGR and FGm all generate their own pulse trains. PRO and MAX drive axes over EtherCAT instead, which is the right answer once a machine has more than eight axes, needs interpolation, or wants G-code motion.
Programming is SamSoar 2022 for FAs, FAT and the expansion platforms — ladder, function block, instruction list and SFC, with function blocks written in C. FGR, FGs and FGm use SamSoar II. Programs can be downloaded through a Rockhood HMI or updated from a USB drive, which removes the laptop from the service call.
Compiled, not interpreted
Arm Cortex-M4 at 200 MHz with low-level compiled software; scan cycles faster than ten times an interpreting PLC.
Expansion without a backplane
CAN bus at 1 Mbps accepts 64 S-series modules on FAs and FAT; each module can run its own program.
Program protection
Password protection on upload, download and monitoring, plus folder, subroutine and function-block passwords.
Competitor ladder import
Ladder programs from competing controllers convert directly, which shortens a retrofit.
Family comparison
Which family fits which machine
Start with the axis count and the supply; the family usually decides itself from there.
Mainstream compact controller
Compiled Arm Cortex-M4 at 200 MHz, 16–66 I/O, four 200 kHz pulse outputs, Ethernet with Modbus TCP/IP, CAN expansion to 64 modules.
Open FATDC 24 V narrow frame
The FAs architecture in a 64 mm wide 24 V DC body, 16 or 32 points, same 64-module CAN expansion.
Open FGs / FGRVolume and ultra-slim
FGs: AC supply, 16–64 points, 8 expansion modules. FGR: 25.2 mm wide, for machines with almost no panel depth.
Open FGmPulse motion specialist
Ten 200 kHz pulse channels driving ten servo axes, with interpolation and electronic cam.
Open PRO / MAXEtherCAT master platform
32 built-in I/O, 8 local pulse axes, EtherCAT master at a 500 µs cycle; MAX adds G-code and NURBS interpolation.
Open| Family | I/O | Supply | Pulse output | Expansion | Motion bus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAs | 16–66 | AC 100–240 V | Up to 4 × 200 kHz | 64 CAN modules | Pulse + CAN |
| FAT | 16–32 | DC 24 V ±20 % | 4 × 200 kHz | 64 CAN modules | Pulse + CAN |
| FGs | 16–64 | AC 100–240 V | 2–4 × 200 kHz | 8 modules | Pulse |
| FGR | 8–16 | DC 24 V | 2–4 × 200 kHz | A-E / FGR-E modules | Pulse |
| FGm | 32 DI / 32 DO | AC 100–240 V | 10 × 200 kHz | 8 modules | Pulse + interpolation |
| PRO / MAX | 32 built-in | DC 24 V ±15 % | 8 local axes | PRO-E slices | EtherCAT, 32 axes |
I/O counts are main-unit totals; expansion modules add digital, analogue, temperature and relay channels.
Next step
Tell us what the machine has to do.
Send the axis count, the I/O list or a photo of the existing panel. You get a model recommendation, a wiring note and a quote — usually within one business day.