Link an axis object to hardware

Automatic creation and linking of an axis when scanning the EtherCAT configuration

1. Scan the EtherCAT fieldbus configuration: I/O Nodes > Devices > Context menu (right-click) > Scan
Link an axis object to hardware 1:

2. In the “EtherCAT drives added” dialog box that opens, select the MC – Configuration (1) option. If a motion configuration has already been created in the TwinCAT project, you can select the desired instance from the drop-down menu. Selecting New Instance creates a new motion configuration node. Confirm the dialog with OK (2).
Link an axis object to hardware 2:

In the TwinCAT project in Solution Explorer, a new motion configuration and an axis are created. It is automatically linked to the hardware.

Link to I/O – Manually link an axis

Procedure – Example for EL72xx/ELM72xx, AX5000, AX8000

The hardware configuration has been created.

A motion configuration with one MC3 axis has been created.

3. Select the axis you want to link (1) > Settings tab.

4. Click on Link to I/O...(2).

5. Select the drive hardware (3) you want to link.

6. Confirm your selection with OK (4).

Procedure – Example: Analog drive with an additional encoder

In this case, the same steps as in the previous section apply initially. In the “Select I/O Box/Terminal” dialog box, note the following selection:

7. Select the Force extra encoder selection option before clicking OK to close the dialog box.
Link an axis object to hardware 4:

Another dialog opens.

Select an encoder and confirm your selection by clicking the OK button.

The text field next to the Link to I/O… button displays the linked hardware devices (1).

The type of axis and the additional encoder are displayed (2).

The cyclic interfaces between the MC3 axis and the I/O devices are visible (3).