This hands-on workshop offers a practical exploration of motion control using open-source tools, specifically focusing on controlling Danfoss FlexMotion devices, advanced motion control solutions from Danfoss, designed for precise and synchronized movement in a variety of industrial applications.
In the session the participants will receive a FlexMotion device to directly engage with the material and gain real-world experience in controlling industrial automation equipment using open-source software using OPC UA.
The workshop will introduce OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture), a platform-independent standard for industrial communication. Participants will learn how the FlexMotion devices are controlled via a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) that exposes its functionality through an OPC UA server. The core of the workshop involves hands-on exercises where participants will learn to use open-source OPC UA client libraries (e.g., Python-OPCUA) to command the FlexMotion devices, through the PLC, to perform various movements.
Attendees will learn how to establish communication between their computers and the PLC hosting the OPC UA server, write code to browse the OPC UA server’s address space, read and write data to control the FlexMotion devices’ axes, and configure basic motion profiles. The workshop will cover fundamental motion control concepts such as position control, velocity control, and acceleration/deceleration settings, all accessed through the OPC UA interface. Participants will also gain experience in troubleshooting common communication and control issues. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a foundational understanding of how to control industrial motion control devices using open-source tools and the OPC UA standard, with the FlexMotion devices controlled via a PLC. This will empower them to explore more advanced applications and integrations. The workshop will also touch upon the benefits of using open-source solutions in industrial automation, including increased flexibility, customization, and community support, and the interoperability advantages offered by OPC UA.
