Hypertherm Phoenix 8.0 - Manual (Page 454)

Motion Overview
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SERCOS Interface Overview
The acronym “SERCOS” refers to SErial Real time COmmunication System servo drive
interface. This approach to communication with the drive amplifiers is performed
through use of a fiber optic ring and replaces the traditional +/- 10VDC analog output
motion control card with a new fiber optic driver card. Motion commands from the
amplifier to the motor are the same as in a traditional servo loop.
SERCOS has been widely accepted and is approved by International standard (IEC 61491
in 1995) and European standard (EN 61491 in 1998).
Due to the expandable nature of the SERCOS interface, Mariner can support up to 12
axes of motion currently available in control software. Additional I/O modules may be
added to expand the total number of digital and analog I/O.
The SERCOS Drive Interface has a number of unique advantages.
1. Reduced CNC - machine interface wiring by use of a single fiber optic connector.
2. Fast 32 bit communications between the drive and CNC.
3. Improved noise immunity due to the fiber optic communication.
4. Long fiber optic cable lengths supported.