Beckhoff AM Series Motors

Introduction

The latest release of Athena software now supports the entire Beckhoff AM series motors from the earliest AM2 series, AM3, and the latest AM8 series as well.  Beckoff AM motors can be equipped with many different feedback types including resolvers, Heidenhain EnDat serial encoders, Hengstler BiSS serial encoders, and SICK Hiperface and Hiperface DSL serial encoders. See below for detailed info among the several different series. 

Common Test Cables

AM2 and AM3

Resolvers - TI-5905 : https://www.dropbox.com/s/zy6be3mv44lkda9/TI5905.pdf?dl=0 (M23 12 Pin)

EnDAT/BiSS/EQI - TI-5083 : https://www.dropbox.com/s/pdldtyy3gttp42e/TI5083.pdf?dl=0 (M23 17 Pin)

SKS/SKM - TI-5094 : https://www.dropbox.com/s/0npdf7u2to2b85m/TI5094.pdf?dl=0 (Direct-to-Encoder) 

AM8

OCT (Hiperface DSL Encoders)

TI-5735 : https://www.dropbox.com/s/cagj7m1gcq9xgze/TI5735.pdf?dl=0 (Springtec 9 Pin)

TI-5737 : https://www.dropbox.com/s/hqd6lz6kbf81kbc/TI5737.pdf?dl=0 (M23 9 Pin)

TI-5739 : https://www.dropbox.com/s/vz8v0la4rdjczp7/TI5739.pdf?dl=0 (M40 11 Pin)

Power Connector

TI-3028 : https://www.dropbox.com/s/9p94ztqa1gjbhdo/TI3028.pdf?dl=0 (M23 8 Pin)

*Refer to feedback cable for OCT connectors. 

Standard Alignment

Beckhoff AM motors all appear to use the standard alignment listed below. 

+U-V: 60E

+U-W: 120E

Memory Data 

Our software currently does not have memory support for Beckhoff motors, however, we can offer limited support in certain situations. The BiSS encoders do have a memory chip, but we are currently unable to read or write memory from BiSS encoders. We do not know if they are storing data on these encoders. We hope to add this support in the future. 
Any of the newer AM8 series motors with OCT feedback (Hiperface DSL) do store a memory file in the encoder, listed as 'NAMEPLTE'. Although we do not have a Beckhoff memory test, we can still save the data from an encoder and write it to another with our software. Please contact our support team for instructions on reading and programming data on these OCT feedback options. 

We have not personally documented any Beckhoff AM motors with Heidenhain EnDat or Hiperface encoders, but we know that these encoders are capable of storing memory data. Our software would be able to save and program the memory to a replacement encoder if needed.  Please contact our support team for instructions on reading and programming data on these feedback options.  

Motor Model Designation

AM2

The AM2 series motors come with 1 speed resolvers as a standard, however, there are less-common options for being equipped with a single-turn (ECNxx13) or multi-turn (EQNxx25) Heidenhain EnDat serial encoders. 

AM3

The AM3 motors again come with resolvers as a standard feedback, but this series has many more possible feedback options including EnDat, BiSS, and Hiperface serial encoders.

AM8

The newest AM8 series motors are often equipped with the 'OCT' feedback option, meaning 'One Cable Technology'. The encoders used on the OCT options are Hiperface DSL EKS/EKM-18 bit and EKS/EKM-23 bit encoders. They can also be fitted with older Hiperface encoders SKS/SKM or a resolver.