Add and Configure I/O Slices

This topic discusses adding AKT (K-Bus) and AKT2G-IO (EtherCATClosed Ethernet ofr Control Automation Technology. EtherCAT® is an open, high-performance Ethernet-based fieldbus system. The development goal of EtherCAT is to apply Ethernet to automation applications which require short data update times (also called cycle times) with low communication jitter (for synchronization purposes) and low hardware costs./E-Bus) I/O devices. All devices are children of the EtherCAT node in the Project tree.

AKT2G-IO example AKT example

For local I/O, see Configure Onboard I/O.

  • AKT2G-IO (E-Bus)
  • AKT (K-Bus)

Add an AKT2G-IO (EtherCAT) I/O Coupler

  1. In the Project Explorer, right-click the EtherCAT node to open the menu.
  2. Select the Add Device command.
    (this option is only enabledClosed Enable signal for the drive, Hardware-Enable with 24V signal to X8, Software-Enable command by setup Software, fieldbus or permanently set. Both are required for enabling the drive. when you are not connected to the controller)
  3. Select the system coupler and click OK.
  4. In the Project Explorer, right-click the coupler node and select the Rename command to change the name.
  5. Click OK.
    The device is added to the EtherCAT node.

Add an AKT2G-IO (E-Bus) I/O Slice

  1. In the Project Explorer, right-click the EtherCAT node to open the menu.
  2. Select the Add Device command.
  3. Choose an I/O slice from the list.
    In this example an 8 channel digital input is selected.
  4. Click OK.
    The device is added to the EtherCAT node.

Add an AKT2G-IO Stepper Drive

  1. In the Project Explorer, right-click the EtherCAT node to open the menu.
  2. Select the Add Device command.
  3. Open the Terminals:DriveClosed In electrical engineering, a drive is an electronic device to provide power to a motor or servo. Control device for regulating the speed, torque and position of a motor. A unit controlling a motor using the current and timing in its coils. group and choose a device from the list.
  4. Click OK.
    The device is added to the EtherCAT node.

For more information see:

Add an AKT (K-Bus) I/O Coupler

  1. In the Project Explorer, right-click the EtherCAT node to open the menu.
  2. Select the Add Device command.
    (this option is only enabled when you are not connected to the controller)
  3. Select the coupler and click OK.
  4. In the Project Explorer, right-click the coupler node and select the Rename command to change the name.
  5. Click OK.
    The coupler is added to the EtherCAT node.

Add an AKT (K-Bus) I/O Slice

  1. In the Project Explorer, right-click the Coupler node to open the menu.
  2. Select the Add I/O Slice command.
  3. Choose the I/O slice from the list.
    Add I/O Slice

    4. Figure 1: Add I/O Slice

  4. Click OK.
    The device is added below the coupler.

Configure the I/O Slice

For more details, see Map Input and Output to Variables.

Concept Link IconSee Also