-

Yaskawa Motion Kernel (Motion Axes Limits & Cycle time)

Version Number Description
1.0 Initial version
2.0 Added motion kernel cycle time information

This application note lists the axis limits for EtherCAT on an iC9200 controller and the cycle time update of the Yaskawa Motion Kernel.

1. Supported Components

Component Name Version
iC9200 series ≥ 2024.3
iCube Engineer ≥ 2024.3

2. Motion Axis limit

  • If no license is active, axis count is 4.  4 servo axes and 4 virtual axes are supported.
  • With a 64 axis count license, 64 servo axes and 64 virtual axes are supported.
  • When max axis count is exceeded, configured axes within the licensed limit are still useable.
  • When max axis count is exceeded, user receives WBM feedback that axis creation failed - unclearable motion alarm.
  • There is no limit on external encoders.

3. Motion Kernel cycle time

Starting the version 2025.6 it is possible to monitor the motion kernel cycle time with the following system variables "Y_FMK_MOTIONSCAN_INFO.INTERVAL" (see#69987 for more details).
Image
The interval selected by the Motion Kernel depends on the Hardware configuration, as shown below in the table of truth in light blue highlights.

Scenario Number EtherCAT sub device linked to Motion axis* EtherCAT IO sub device Slicebus module linked to motion Axis* Slicebus IO module Slicebus cycle time Slicebus synchronization FMK
1 Yes Yes Yes Yes Slicebus Cycle time must be set to EtherCAT cycle time (iCE). Must be activated FMK = SB rate = EC rate
2 Yes Yes Yes No Slicebus Cycle time must be set to EtherCAT cycle time (iCE). Must be activated FMK = SB rate = EC rate
3 Yes Yes No Yes Slicebus can be different from ECAT. FMK = EC rate
4 Yes Yes No No Slicebus can be different from ECAT. FMK = EC rate
5 Yes No Yes Yes Slicebus Cycle time must be set to EtherCAT cycle time (iCE). Must be activated FMK = SB rate = EC rate
6 Yes No Yes No Slicebus Cycle time must be set to EtherCAT cycle time (iCE). Must be activated FMK = SB rate = EC rate
7 Yes No No Yes Slicebus can be different from ECAT. FMK = EC rate
8 Yes No No No Slicebus can be different from ECAT. FMK = EC rate
9 No Yes Yes Yes Slicebus can be different from ECAT. Must be activated FMK = SB rate
10 No Yes Yes No Slicebus can be different from ECAT. Must be activated FMK = SB rate
11 No Yes No Yes Slicebus can be different from ECAT. FMK = ECAT rate
12 No Yes No No Slicebus can be different from ECAT. FMK = ECAT rate
13** No No Yes Yes Slicebus can be different from ECAT. Must be activated FMK = SB rate
14** No No Yes No Slicebus can be different from ECAT. Must be activated FMK = SB rate
15** No No No Yes Slicebus can be different from ECAT. FMK = ECAT rate**
16** No No No No Slicebus can be different from ECAT. FMK = ECAT rate**
*If link between the device/module has been removed, then the EtherCAT device/Slicebus module should be interpreted as a normal EtherCAT IO sub device/Slicebus IO module.
**When there is no device defined on the EtherCAT fieldbus, the EtherCAT cycle does NOT run at the specified cycle defined by the software but runs at 16ms.
Note: Virtual Motion axis are not impacting the motion kernel cycle.


 


This help information is valid for iCube Engineer Online Help 2025.6

Copyright © 2025 YASKAWA EUROPE GmbH and © 2025 YASKAWA America, Inc.