Omron 3G3AX-MX2-ECT, User Manual

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1 EtherCAT Network
EtherCAT Communication Unit USER’S MANUAL (3G3AX-MX2-ECT)
1-3 EtherCA
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1-3-2
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The overview of each structural device is as follows.

EtherCAT master
Manages the EtherCAT network, and performs slave status monitoring and data exchange with the
slaves.

EtherCAT slave
Receives data from the Master Unit and sends data to the Master Unit across the EtherCAT
network. The sent and received data can be output externally, input from an external source, or used
to perform various types of control for slave equipment.
The EtherCAT slave types shown below are available.
• Field network slaves
Slave devices that perform sequence control.
Examples: Digital I/O slaves, analog I/O slaves
• Motion network slaves
Slave devices that perform motion control.
Examples: Servo Units, Inverter Units
When this 3G3AX-MX2-ECT EtherCAT Communication Unit is installed on an inverter, it can be
operated as a motion network slave inverter.

Configuration tool
Computer software for setting the EtherCAT network and each slave.

Communications cable
The communications cable that connects the Master Unit with the Slave Units, and the Slave Units
to each other.
In an EtherCAT network, use an STP double-shield cable of Ethernet category 5 or higher.

EtherCAT Slave Information (ESI) file
A file in XML format that contains the information unique to the EtherCAT slave.
When this ESI file is loaded into the tool, it makes it easy to perform the various settings, such as the
mapping of the EtherCAT slave's I/O memory.
If OMRON's Configuration Tool is used, the ESI file is used together with the Configuration Tool, so
you need not worry about installing this file.
If a master by other manufacturer is connected, the ESI file must be loaded into a Configuration Tool
supporting that master.
1-3-2 Overview of Component Equipment