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Overview
Specification
Expansion/Accessories
Software
Support

Flex-7 -
Flexible Machine Controller

P770


The Flex-7 is Trio’s high performance, compact Flexible Machine Controller. Offering 128 axes of motion via EtherCAT, with update rates down to 125us.

Benefiting from a re-architected communications interface and a quad core processor the Flex-7 offers a step change in performance in Trio’s Flexible Machine Controller range. With separate cores dedicated to motion and communications combined with the Gigabit Ethernet hardware the Flex-7 can handle complex motion and high-speed communication interfaces for high axis count machines.

Highlights

  • Up-to 128 EtherCAT axes with update rates down to 125µs
  • Advanced Motion-iX core with new architecture for communications
  • Gigabit Ethernet ports
  • Modbus, Ethernet IP, support for upstream connection
  • Fully integrated into Motion Perfect
  • Programming TrioBASIC and IEC 61131-3 with PLCopen
  • EBUS interface, compatible with existing Flexslice hardware
  • Memory expansion via SD card or USB 2.0 drives
  • CAN port
  • Real time clock
  • 1.2GHz Quad Core 64-bit ARM Cortex A53
  • 2GB DDR4 Memory, 16GB eMMC storage
  • Dot matrix display (96 x 64)
  • RoHS and CE approved
EtherCAT logo
Performance Efficient

More Axes Please!

The P770 has 2 built-in EtherCAT axes which can be user upgraded with the purchase of P912 Remote Axis FECs. Up to 64 axes are supported using CSP, CSV and CST modes of operation.

Each P912 doubles the available axes, i.e:

P770 + 1 x P912 = 4 Remote Axes
P770 + 2 x P912 = 8 Remote Axes
P770 + 3 x P912 = 16 Remote Axes
P770 + 4 x P912 = 32 Remote Axes
P770 + 5 x P912 = 64 Remote Axes
P770 + 6 x P912 = 128 Remote Axes

Design Efficient

Fast and Flexible

Application programs can be written in TrioBASIC, Trio’s established multi-tasking programming language, or industry standard IEC-61131-3 using the powerful Motion Perfect application development software.

Flex-7
Integration Efficiency

Expanding the System

The Flex-7 is fully compatible with Trio’s Flexslice system consisting of a range of high performance I/O peripherals including digital and analogue I/O along with stepper controllers, temperature measurement and encoder interfaces.P366 Flexslice Couplers.

Flex-7

All in one Solution

The Flex-7 can be used as a stand-alone controller or can "plug" straight into our EtherCAT Flexslice System allowing expansion of the system to include servo and stepper drives, I/O and other functionality that conforms to the EtherCAT standard.
Model Flex-7
Part number P770
Power Supply Main supply 24V DC ±20% 
Backup supply 24V DC ±20%
Environmental Conditions Temperature Ambient temperature: 0˚C to 45˚C 
Storage temperature: -20˚C to +85˚C
Humidity Both operating and storage: 5% to 95% (with no condensation)
Protection Class IP20
Dimensions Height 147.0 mm
Depth 107.0 mm
Width 51mm
Mounting DIN rail mouting 
Certifications and Approvals CE
UKCA
UL (US and Canada) (Pending Approval)
Processor ARM A53, quad core, 64-bit, 1.2GHz
EBUS Compatible with all Flexslice units
2700mA (13W) for EBUS slices
Up to 16 Flexslices units
Ethernet Port 0 RJ45 with integrated activitiy LEDs
1000Mbit/sec (recommended cable 100Mbit/sec CAT5e shielded SF/UTP / 1000Mbit/sec CAT6)
Generic Ethernet (e.g. Motion Perfect, Uniplay HMI, GigE devices)
Industrial Ethernet protocols (e.g. Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP)
Ethernet Port 1 RJ45 with integrated activitiy LEDs
1000Mbit/sec (recommended cable 100Mbit/sec CAT5e shielded SF/UTP / 1000Mbit/sec CAT6)
Generic Ethernet (e.g. Motion Perfect, Uniplay HMI, GigE devices)
Industrial Ethernet protocols (e.g. Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP)
EtherCAT Port RJ45 with integrated activity LEDs
100Mbit/sec (recommended cable CAT5e SF/UTP)
Dedicated for EtherCAT master
USB 2x USB 2.0 host ports
Type A connectors
200mA per port
SD Card Micro SD card slot
Supports Micro SD and Micro SDHC (high capacity) devices up to 32Gb
Display OLED graphical display 
Indicator Lamps 2x status LEDs
Performance Number of axes 8 Axes at 125µs
16 Axes at 250µs
32 Axes at 500µs
64 Axes at 1 ms
128 Axes at 2 ms
128 Axes at 4 ms
512 + 512 I/O Channels
EtherCAT Communications Update Rate 125µs, 250µs, 500µs, 1ms, 2ms, 4ms
Jitter < 5us
Profiles supported CoE (CSP, CSV, CST, TP), FoE
Maximum PDO telegram 1514 bytes @ 2 ms and above
986 bytes @ 1ms
896 bytes @ 500us and below
Cable Category 5, Shielded/Foiled Twisted Pairs (CAT5e SF/UTP)
Run mode Distributed Clock (DC) or Free Run mode
Flex-7
EtherCAT logo  Specification
Speed 100Mbps
Physical Layer 100BASE-TX full duplex (IEEE 802.3)
Cable Shielded Twisted Pair (TIA/EIA-568B CAT5e)
Topology Line, tree or star (1)
Isolation Pulse transformer with common-mode choke
Connector RJ45
Cable Length 100m max between nodes
Supported Cyclic period 125µsec, 250µsec, 500µsec, 1000µsec, 2000µsec, 4000µsec
Synchronisation Distributed Clocks technology.  Jitter < 5µsec
Protocol CoE, SoE (2)
Number of Axes 128
Number of Nodes 128 slave nodes maximum
Motion modes Cyclic Synchronous Position, Cyclic Synchronous Velocity, Cyclic Synchronous Torque
Parameter transfer CoE Object read/write.  SoE IDN read/write
Input/Output Up to 1024 input bits and 1024 output bits
 
(1) Tree and star require the use of EtherCAT switches.
(2) CanOpen application protocol over EtherCAT. (CoE)
Servo drive profile according to IEC 61491 over EtherCAT. (SoE)
Products - DX Servo Drive Systems
DX3 AC Servo Drive EtherCATDX3 Servo Drive System
DX3 AC Servo Drive Conventional
With a power range from 50W to 7.5kW and options for EtherCAT or Conventional (Pulse & Direction, Analogue and CANopen) control, DX3 will suit a wide variety of machine types. DX3 is fully integrated into Trio’s application development tool, Motion Perfect, our software environment for system planning, configuration, virtualisation and machine programming.


DX4 AC Servo Drive (D0100 - D0108)DX4 Servo Drive System
The DX4 is designed to work seamlessly with Trio's EtherCAT controllers and be fully integrated into Trio’s application development tool, Motion Perfect. The DX4 comes in 3 frame sizes with power ratings from 50W to 3kW. Designed to be matched with the MX motors and accessories it offers a high-speed, high-precision machine solution.

DX5 AC Servo Drive (D0500 - D0508)DX5 Servo Drive System
DX5 dual axis drive modules come in 2 compact frame sizes and combined with the power supply units can be configured for up to 16 axes with power ratings from 400W to 750W. Designed to be matched with the MXL motors and accessories it offers a high-speed, high-precision machine solution.
Products - Flexslice Modules
The Flexslice Expansion Range all flexslice expansion modules
The EtherCAT Flexslice System is designed to let you do more!
It offers fast flexible expansion for motion applications and can be used with Trio or 3rd Party Masters.
The advantage of the I/O slice approach compared to a traditional PLC for analogue and stepper integration is a saving on footprint and cost, combined with our motion-first specialisation.
Products - Generic
UNIPLAY 7-Abolt on expansion module
UNIPLAY 10-A
UNIPLAY 15-A
Trio’s unique UNIPLAY HMI system is a revolutionary way to make operator interfaces better, easier and more secure! The UNIPLAY series boasts a 7", 10" and 15" colour displays.
Firmware - Flex-7
Latest USER Release:
File:FLEX7_20333.zip
Version:2.0333
Size:397126273 bytes
Date:2024-Nov-05
Software - Programming
Motion Perfect
Motion Perfect is designed to make setup, diagnostics, commissioning and using our range of Motion Coordinators as simple as possible. It provides the user with an easy to understand Windows based interface for rapid application development, controller configuration and monitoring of controller processes.
IEC 61131-3 Runtime Software (P877)
IEC 61131-3 standardises the programming language, the instruction sets and the handling and structuring of projects. As supplied, the IEC 61131 system will run programs for one hour after power-on, to allow engineers to try out their standard programs on the Motion Coordinator hardware. For continuous running, a software key (Feature Enable Code) can be downloaded from the Trio E-Store or purchased form your distributor for each Motion Coordinator to run IEC 61131 programs.
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Software - Expansion
Kinematic Runtime FEC (P750)
The P750 Robot kinematic runtime enables the more complex FRAME transformations which enable easy programming of various types of robot Including SCARA and Delta.
(Log on to E-Store to purchase).
2 x EtherCAT Remote Axis FEC's (P912)
The controller has 2 built-in EtherCAT axes which can be user upgraded with the purchase of P912 Remote Axis FECs.

Each P912 doubles the available axes, i.e:

controller + 1 x P912 = 4 Remote Axes
controller + 2 x P912 = 8 Remote Axes
controller + 3 x P912 = 16 Remote Axes
controller + 4 x P912 = 32 Remote Axes
controller + 5 x P912 = 64 Remote Axes
controller + 6 x P912 = 128 Remote Axes

(Log on to E-Store to purchase).
Software - Support Apps
CAD2Motion
The program allows the user to create motion paths in a CAD package such as AutoCAD and convert them into code executable by a Trio Motion Coordinator.
AutoLoader
A compact, self-contained package designed to allow simple distribution of projects written using Motion Perfect. Simply add the project to the Autoloader folder, edit a script file to provide control of the loading sequence and send to the customer.
Trio MCLoader
The Trio MC Loader is a Windows ActiveX control which can load projects (produced with Motion Perfect) and programs onto a Trio Motion Coordinator. Communication with the Motion Cordinator can be via serial link, USB, Ethernet or PCI depending on the Motion Coordinator.
Trio PCMotion
PCMotion is an ActiveX component allowing direct connection to the Trio Motion Coordinator from a custom user application. It can be used to control any of the Motion Coordinator functionality as well as send text files down to the controller.
TextFileLoader
The file loading functionality of the Motion Coordinators allows files to be easily loaded into the controller memory or the SD card (when fitted). This allows programs written in text based languages such as G-Code and HPGL to be loaded to the controller where they can be parsed and executed by a TrioBASIC program. The transfer process is optimized to compress the file and reduce transfer times, or it can be set to stream the file into a FIFO buffer on the controller. This can help reduce overall machine cycle times when file sizes can be large and so making communication time significant.
Guides
Sales Brochure
Quick Start Guide Simple set up guide
EMC Guide Electromagnetic Compatibility guide for Trio products v6
Tools
Flexslice EBUS load calculator Flexslice EBUS Load Calculator Tool
Manuals
Full Manual The Technical Reference Manual can be downloaded in PDF format.
Certificates
EU Declaration of Conformity Flex-7 EU Declaration of Conformity
UL Listing Please insert E238097 UL File Number in the search box.
EtherCAT Data
EtherCAT Extension Files Configuration and set up of EtherCAT slave devices
EtherCAT Documents Various notes for help with EtherCAT
Videos Various instruction videos for help with EtherCAT
Fieldbus Data
EtherNet IP EDS (Electronic Data Sheet) files EtherNet IP EDS (Electronic Data Sheet) files
CAD Data
CAD Model Drawings are available in various formats in the Zip file below.
Customer Help
Customer Support Forum Trio has a world-wide technical support network providing information to our Distributors, Solution Partners and Customers. This page includes a knowledge-base, user forum and direct online ticketing system where answers will be provided by our engineers in the UK, USA, India, China and Italy.
Training Courses Our 2-day introductory courses are designed to provide an overview of the Motion Coordinator product range and to give an introduction to programming using the Motion-iX technologies. The course is based upon practical worked examples of each topic covered to enable the attendees to gain some valuable hands-on experience of using Motion Perfect to develop applications.
Product Repair Information We offer a fixed price repair service via our distributor network. This page provides information on how to get your product repaired.
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