Do I need to migrate my controller from A3200 to Automation1?
All new systems should be built on the Automation1-iSMC intelligent software-based motion controller with the Automation1-MDK motion development kit. All A3200 products are non-current and not available for use on new designs. Please contact Global Technical Support for information on A3200 products.
For existing A3200 systems using Ndrive, Npaq, Nservo, Nstep, or Nmark (Firewire) drives, all customers should develop a migration path that includes updating these drives to new Automation1 (HyperWire) drive hardware. Having a plan in place for upgrading all drives and controller software to Automation1 equivalent products is recommended. If Automation1 equivalent drives are available and supported in A3200 version 6.04 software (see table below), it is possible to upgrade electronics only to Automation1 and continue using the A3200 motion controller. Please consult with your local field sales engineer.
A3200 systems built on Automation1 HyperWire drives can continue to run A3200 version 6.04 controller software. However, it is recommended to have a migration plan developed and ready to execute in the event that Windows and Intel support dictates that a migration is required. To begin your navigation plan, please consult your local field sales engineer and refer to some of the migration tools we have in the Automation1 Help Files.
Do I need to migrate my controller from Ensemble/Soloist to Automation1?
All Ensemble and Soloist products are non-current and not available for use on new designs. Please contact Global Technical Support for information on Ensemble and Soloist products. All new systems should be built on the Automation1-iSMC intelligent software-based motion controller with the Automation1-MDK motion development kit. Aerotech does not recommend any new designs to use Ensemble or Soloist products. Existing Ensemble/Soloist systems do not have Automation1 equivalent drives that are supported by any version of the Ensemble or Soloist controllers (see table below). Therefore, a plan should be in place to migrate the system’s full control architecture (controller, motion bus and drives) to Automation1. To begin your navigation plan, please consult your local field sales engineer and refer to some of the migration tools we have in the Automation1 Help Files.
What is the process for migrating from A3200 to Automation1?
Please see the Automation1 help files for more information.
Will my AeroBasic programs work with Automation1?
AeroBasic programs are not directly supported by Automation1. Automation1 includes a new programming language called AeroScript. AeroScript includes G-Code support, so motion commands programmed in G-Code syntax will be supported in Automation1. However, the AeroBasic syntax in many A3200, Ensemble and Soloist program files will not compile in Automation1.
How do I convert my programs from AeroBasic to Automation1?
To assist in migrating your AeroBasic programs to AeroScript, use the AeroBasic To AeroScript Tool. For instructions, see the question above, “What is the process for migrating from A3200 to Automation1?” For more help, the Automation1 help file includes the topic AeroScrip Equivalents to AeroBasic Commands.
Does Automation1 have drives and drive racks that are equivalent to my A3200 products?
Yes. Most A3200 products have “drop-in replacements” in Automation1. You get the benefit of improved performance without the hassle of redesigning your machine layout. Please refer to the following table:
Product Type |
A3200 Product |
Non-Current Date(1) |
Automation1 Equivalent |
Supported in A3200 Version 6.04-Current |
Development Software |
A3200 Motion Composer Suite & A3200 Software-Based Machine Controller |
June 30, 2023 – All versions 4.x & 5.x
December 29, 2023 – All versions 6.x
|
Automation1 MDK |
n/a |
Motion Controller |
Automation1 iSMC |
n/a |
HMI Software |
A3200 CNC Operator Interface |
Automation1 MachineApps |
n/a |
A3200 Motion Simulator |
n/a |
Trajectory Design Software |
A3200 Motion Designer |
n/a |
n/a |
Industrial PC |
A3200 iPC |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 iPC |
Yes |
Drive Racks |
Npaq |
December 31, 2020 |
Automation1 XR3 |
Yes |
Npaq MR |
June 30, 2023 |
Npaq 6U |
December 31, 2020 |
PWM Servo Drives |
Ndrive HPe (50/75/100/150/200 Amp) |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 XC6e |
No A3200 Support |
Ndrive HPe (10/20/30 Amp) |
August 31, 2021 |
Automation1 XC4e |
Yes |
Ndrive CP |
August 31, 2021 |
Automation1 XC4 |
Yes |
Automation1 XA4-AC |
No A3200 Support |
Ndrive MP |
June 30, 2023 |
Automation1 XC2e |
No A3200 Support |
Automation1 XC2 |
Yes |
Automation1 XA4-DC |
No A3200 Support |
Linear Servo Drives |
Ndrive HLe |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 XL5e |
No A3200 Support |
Ndrive ML |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 XL2e |
No A3200 Support |
Galvo Scan Head Drives |
Nmark GCL |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 GL4 |
Yes |
Nmark CLS |
June 3, 2016 |
Multi-Axis Robotic Controller |
HEX RC |
June 30, 2023 |
Automation1 XR3 |
Yes |
Piezo Nanopositioner Drives |
Ndrive QLe |
August 8, 2022 |
n/a |
No A3200 Support |
Ndrive QL |
August 8, 2022 |
n/a |
No A3200 Support |
Clock & Direction (Stepper) Interface |
Nstep |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 SI4 |
No A3200 Support |
Analog Command (Servo) Interface |
Nservo |
December 31, 2021 |
Automation1 XI4 |
No A3200 Support |
Galvo Scan Head XY2-100 Interface |
Nmark SSaM |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 GI4 |
No A3200 Support |
(1) Non-current products are discontinued and are no longer sold and marketed through normal Aerotech channels. The product may be available for purchase through our Global Technical Support Group but availability may be unreliable. A product moves to obsolete status once we are no longer able to manufacture the product.
(2) Not yet available.
What HyperWire parts should I be ordering to replace my FireWire bus?
See the table below.
Product Type |
A3200 Product |
Automation1 Equivalent |
PCI Card |
NFIRE PCI |
n/a(1) |
PCIe Card |
NFIRE PCIe |
HyperWire PCIe |
Communication Cables |
NCONNECT 6P6P-xx(2) |
HyperWire AO10-xx(2) |
HyperWire Network Repeater |
NFIRE RPTR-1394A-1394A |
Not required |
(1) Currently there is no PCI version of the HyperWire card.
(2) Whereas “xx” designates the length in decimeters.
Is there a way to connect A3200 drive hardware to an Automation1 controller?
Automation1 does not support the FireWire-based motion bus used by A3200 drives. Automation1 uses a new fiber-optic bus called HyperWire. There is no FireWire-to-HyperWire conversion tool or product, so A3200 drives cannot connect to a HyperWire network or Automation1 controller.
Does Automation1 have drives and drive racks that are equivalent to my Ensemble and Soloist products?
Yes. Aerotech is currently releasing Ensemble and Soloist drive hardware “drop-in replacements” in Automation1. You get the benefit of improved performance without the hassle of redesigning your machine layout. Note: Automation1 equivalent products are not supported in the Ensemble or Soloist platforms. You must switch your motion controller to the Automation1-iSMC in order to use these Automation1 products. Please refer to the following table:
Product Type |
Ensemble/Soloist Product |
Non-Current Date(1) |
Automation1 Equivalent |
Development Software |
Ensemble – Includes the Ensemble Motion Composer Suite |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 MDK |
Soloist – Includes the Soloist Motion Composer Suite |
December 29, 2023 |
Motion Controller |
Ensemble Multi-Axis Drive-Based Motion Controller |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 iSMC |
Soloist Multi-Axis Drive-Based Motion Controller |
December 29, 2023 |
Trajectory Design Software |
Ensemble Motion Designer |
December 29, 2023 |
n/a |
Soloist Motion Designer |
December 29, 2023 |
Drive Racks |
Epaq |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 iXR3(5) / Automation1 XR3 |
Epaq MR |
December 29, 2023 |
PWM Servo Drives |
Ensemble HPe (50/75/100/150/200 Amp) |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 iXC6e(5) / Automation1 XC6e |
Soloist HPe (50/75/100/150/200 Amp) |
December 29, 2023 |
Ensemble HPe (10/20/30 Amp) |
February 15, 2022 |
Automation1 iXC4e(5) / Automation1 XC4e |
Soloist HPe (10/20/30 Amp) |
February 15, 2022 |
Ensemble CP |
February 15, 2022 |
Automation1 iXC4(5) / Automation1 XC4 / Automation1 XA4 |
Soloist CP |
February 15, 2022 |
Ensemble MP |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 iXC2e(5) / Automation1 XC2e
Automation1 iXC2(5) / Automation1 XC2 |
Soloist MP |
December 29, 2023 |
Linear Servo Drives |
Ensemble HLe |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 iXL5e(5) / Automation1 XL5e |
Soloist HLe |
December 29, 2023 |
Ensemble ML |
December 29, 2023 |
Automation1 iXL2e(5) / Automation1 XL2e
|
Soloist ML |
December 29, 2023 |
Lab Controller |
Ensemble LAB |
March 31, 2022 |
n/a(3) |
Piezo Nanopositioner Drives
|
Ensemble QLe |
August 8, 2022 |
n/a |
Ensemble QL |
August 8, 2022 |
n/a |
Ensemble QDe |
March 31, 2022 |
n/a(3)
|
Ensemble QLAB |
March 31, 2022 |
n/a(3) |
Analog Command (Servo) Interface |
n/a(4) |
n/a(4) |
Automation1 iXI4(5) / Automation1 XI4
|
(1) Non-current products are discontinued and are no longer sold and marketed through normal Aerotech channels. The product may be available for purchase through our Global Technical Support Group, but availability may be unreliable. A product moves to obsolete status once we are no longer able to manufacture the product.
(2) Not yet available.
(3) No Automation1 equivalent product planned.
(4) Did not exist in the Ensemble or Soloist motion control platforms.
(5) This device gets the Automation1 iSMC installed on it, becoming a motion controller in addition to a drive product.