YOKOGAWA F3NC1Z-ON-Z01 Position Module – FA-M3 Series

YOKOGAWA F3NC1Z-ON-Z01 Single-Axis Position Module — Deterministic Pulse-Train Motion Control on the FA-M3 Backplane

The F3NC1Z-ON-Z01 is a single-axis position control module engineered for YOKOGAWA’s FA-M3 modular PLC platform. It generates a high-frequency pulse-train command signal directly from the FA-M3 backplane bus, eliminating the need for an external motion controller or dedicated DSP card. The module accepts incremental encoder feedback (A/B/Z phase), closes a hardware-level position loop, and synchronises its execution cycle with the FA-M3 CPU scan — producing deterministic, jitter-free axis motion that is essential in servo-driven machinery where positional repeatability is measured in micrometres.

Unlike generic pulse-output cards, the F3NC1Z-ON-Z01 integrates natively with YOKOGAWA’s WideField3 / ToolBox FA programming environment through dedicated function blocks (FB). Engineers configure homing sequences, trapezoidal velocity profiles, and electronic gear ratios entirely within the PLC project — no separate motion-controller software licence, no proprietary fieldbus gateway, and no additional panel real estate.

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Technical Parameters

Data sourced from YOKOGAWA published datasheets. Contact us to confirm the latest hardware revision.

Hardware Logical Analysis

The F3NC1Z-ON-Z01 is built around a dedicated motion-control ASIC that operates independently of the FA-M3 CPU’s main processing loop. This architectural separation is deliberate: the ASIC handles real-time pulse generation and encoder counting at hardware speed (up to 500 kpps), while the CPU scan merely writes target position, velocity, and acceleration parameters into the module’s dual-port RAM at each scan cycle. The result is that pulse output continuity is never interrupted by CPU task scheduling — a critical requirement in servo systems where a missed pulse translates directly to a position error.

Pulse Generation Engine. The internal pulse generator uses a 32-bit accumulator with hardware-interpolated velocity ramping. Trapezoidal and S-curve acceleration profiles are computed inside the ASIC, not in ladder logic, so the velocity ramp is smooth regardless of CPU scan jitter. At 500 kpps with a 10,000-pulse/rev encoder and a 1:1 gear ratio, the module can command a servo at 3,000 rpm — sufficient for the majority of industrial servo applications without requiring an external high-speed counter card.

Encoder Feedback Path. The A/B/Z differential encoder inputs are received through RS-422 line receivers with hardware 4× quadrature decoding, yielding an effective position resolution four times the encoder line count. The Z-phase (index pulse) is latched in hardware to provide a repeatable, electrically noise-immune homing reference — important in environments where the Z-pulse duration may be as short as one encoder period at high speed.

EMC Design. The module’s I/O connector side uses optocoupler isolation on all digital I/O lines (limit switches, origin sensor, servo alarm input). The pulse output driver stage is galvanically isolated from the FA-M3 backplane logic, preventing ground-loop noise from servo drive PWM switching from coupling back into the PLC bus. The PCB layout follows YOKOGAWA’s standard FA-M3 EMC guidelines: separate ground planes for logic and I/O, ferrite bead filtering on power rails, and shielded connector housings. This design allows the module to meet IEC 61000-4-4 (EFT/Burst, 2 kV) and IEC 61000-4-5 (Surge, 1 kV) without external suppression components.

Position Error Monitoring. A configurable following-error window is monitored in hardware. If the difference between commanded position and encoder feedback exceeds the programmed threshold, the module asserts an error flag in the FA-M3 I/O image within the same scan cycle — enabling the CPU to execute an emergency stop sequence without waiting for a software polling loop. This hardware-level error detection reduces worst-case fault response latency to one CPU scan period (typically 1–10 ms depending on FA-M3 CPU model and program size).

Homing Logic. The module supports three hardware homing methods: (1) origin sensor + Z-phase latch, (2) mechanical limit switch + Z-phase latch, and (3) Z-phase only. All three methods execute autonomously inside the ASIC after the CPU issues a homing command, freeing the CPU scan from time-critical homing state-machine management.

System Integration Benefits

• Zero-Gateway Backplane Integration. The module occupies a standard FA-M3 slot and appears as a mapped I/O region to the CPU. No EtherCAT master, PROFIBUS DP slave, or serial communication overhead is required, eliminating protocol-induced latency from the motion command path.
• Scan-Synchronous Command Update. Target position and velocity registers are updated synchronously with the FA-M3 CPU scan, ensuring that motion commands derived from process sensor data (e.g., a vision system trigger or a flow meter pulse) are applied within one deterministic scan cycle — not subject to asynchronous communication delays.
• 32-Bit Position Range. The ±2,147,483,647-pulse counter range supports long-travel axes (e.g., gantry systems, stacker cranes) without software counter-overflow management, reducing PLC program complexity and eliminating a class of potential runtime errors.
• Hardware Following-Error Detection. Fault detection at the ASIC level, rather than in ladder logic, reduces the worst-case time from servo fault occurrence to PLC emergency-stop output assertion — a measurable safety improvement in high-speed machinery.
• Dual Pulse-Output Mode. Selectable P/D or CW/CCW output accommodates servo drives from multiple manufacturers (Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Delta, Yaskawa, etc.) without rewiring, simplifying multi-vendor system integration and spare-parts standardisation.
• Line-Driver Output Integrity. RS-422 differential pulse output maintains signal integrity over cable runs up to 10 m without repeaters, and is immune to common-mode noise from servo drive switching — a practical advantage in dense electrical panels.
• WideField3 Function Block Library. YOKOGAWA provides certified FB libraries for the F3NC1Z-ON-Z01 covering absolute positioning, relative positioning, jog, homing, and speed control. Reusing certified FBs reduces commissioning time and simplifies IEC 62061 / ISO 13849 functional safety documentation.
• Diagnostic Transparency. Module status, current position, command position, following error, and alarm codes are all readable as standard FA-M3 word registers — accessible from HMI, SCADA, or remote monitoring tools without additional diagnostic software.
• Hot-Swap Compatibility. FA-M3 base units with hot-swap capability allow the F3NC1Z-ON-Z01 to be replaced during a controlled maintenance window without powering down the entire rack, reducing planned downtime in multi-axis systems.
• Compact Slot Footprint. Single-slot form factor preserves base unit slots for additional I/O or communication modules, keeping the overall panel design compact in space-constrained installations.

Quality Assurance & Global Logistics

Every F3NC1Z-ON-Z01 unit supplied by siemensplc.com is sourced as genuine YOKOGAWA hardware with a documented chain of custody. Prior to dispatch, each module undergoes a structured incoming inspection protocol: visual examination of housing, connector pins, and label authenticity; verification of the module’s firmware version against YOKOGAWA’s published revision history; and a functional power-on check confirming that the module enumerates correctly on an FA-M3 backplane and that all status LEDs respond as specified in the hardware manual.

Units are packed in anti-static ESD bags, placed in foam-lined cartons, and sealed with tamper-evident tape. Export documentation — commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and HS Code 8537.10 classification — is prepared in-house by our logistics team in Xiamen, China, ensuring smooth customs clearance for buyers in the EU, North America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

Standard international shipping transit times from Xiamen: 3–5 business days to major Asian hubs (Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok); 5–8 business days to Europe (Frankfurt, Amsterdam, London); 6–10 business days to North America (Los Angeles, Chicago, New York). DHL Express, FedEx International Priority, and UPS Worldwide Express are available. For urgent requirements, same-day dispatch is available for orders confirmed before 14:00 CST.

A 12-month warranty covers manufacturing defects and functional failures under normal operating conditions. Warranty claims are processed with a target RMA response within 24 business hours. Replacement units are dispatched from Xiamen stock; defective units are returned via prepaid label for root-cause analysis.

Contact Information

Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: +86 18359268345
Web: siemensplc.com
Location: Xiamen, China
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