Description
Product Introduction & Engineering Value
Upgrading a legacy microstepping system can create unnecessary downtime if a failing drive forces an immediate control cabinet redesign. The Parker Compumotor CX-DH integrated indexer drive serves as a reliable single-axis motion controller, handling position profiles and motor current regulation within a unified housing.
Designed for standalone automation or host-directed serial communications, this drive generates precise step pulses to eliminate resonance and maintain torque stability across variable speed ranges. Control engineers rely on its drop-in form factor to preserve existing wiring harnesses and restore precise axis positioning on legacy production equipment without writing new host PLC routines.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
| Controller Architecture | Integrated microstepping indexer and power amplifier |
| Compatible Motors | 2-phase hybrid step motors (NEMA 23 / NEMA 34 frame sizes) |
| Communication Port | RS-232 serial interface for parameter setup and ASCII command execution |
| I/O Capabilities | Dedicated limit inputs (CW/CCW), home sensor input, and programmable trigger I/O |
| Current Control | Selectable motor output current with automatic standby current reduction |
| Mounting Format | Heavy-duty panel-mount aluminum chassis with integral heat sink |
| Diagnostic Display | Front-panel status LEDs for power, fault, and communication activity |
| Operating Ambient | 0°C to +50°C standard electrical enclosure range |
Field Application & The “Trench” Experience
During a high-throughput run on an automated labeling cell, a key indexing axis stalled out repeatedly due to thermal stress and component fatigue in an aging stepper drive. Upgrading the station to a modern EtherCAT servo architecture would have required rewriting the cell’s master PLC code and taking the line down for three days. The maintenance team located a verified, pre-tested Parker CX-DH surplus unit from emergency stock, matched the DIP switch current settings, and downloaded the stored motion script via the RS-232 serial port. Upon enabling the system, the drive established immediate communication, executed the stored indexing moves flawlessly, and cleared the line bottleneck within forty minutes.
Targeted Application Scenarios:
- Precision Rotary Index Tables: Executing fixed incremental angle moves under high inertia loads.
- Linear Pick-and-Place Actuators: Managing smooth acceleration and deceleration profiles for delicate material handling.
CX-DH
CX-DH
Transparency SOP: QA & Testing
1.Visual & Mechanical Scan:10 min.
Examine the internal power board, terminal block connectors, heat sink fins, and casing for signs of thermal discoloration or hardware stress.
2.Power Stage & Bus Voltage Check:30 min.
Apply nominal input voltage via an isolated auto-transformer to verify internal DC bus stability and logic supply rail regulation.
3.RS-232 & Motion Profile Test:1 hr.
Establish a serial terminal session to send move commands, verify limit input logic, and monitor motor output current waveforms across speed ramps.
4.Thermal Burn-In Test:24 hrs.
Run the drive continuously under a simulated motor load cycle for 24 hours in a thermal test chamber to eliminate latent component failure risks.
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide (Crucial Value-Add)
⚠️ MOTOR DISCONNECT ARCING HAZARD: Never disconnect the motor phase leads from the CX-DH terminal block while 120V AC input power is applied. Unplugging stepper windings under load generates high-voltage inductive spikes that will instantly blow the drive’s output MOSFET power bridge.
PRO TIP: Always document and save your ASCII motion scripts and configuration DIP-switch positions before extracting a failed drive. While replacement units drop in physically, incorrect motor current settings or missing trigger script commands will prevent the new drive from homing properly.
Dynamic FAQ
- Q: Is the Parker CX-DH a standalone controller or does it require a separate indexer?
- A: The CX-DH is an integrated indexer/drive unit that contains both the motion controller logic and the power amplifier in one chassis.
- Q: What software tool is used to program or commission the CX-DH?
- A: Commissioning and command script downloads are typically handled via any standard RS-232 terminal emulator or Parker’s legacy Motion Architect software suite.
- Q: Are replacement CX-DH drives available as new or refurbished units?
- A: Because this legacy Compumotor line is discontinued by the OEM, our inventory consists of verified New Surplus and thoroughly reconditioned, fully bench-tested units.
- Q: What warranty coverage comes with this part?
- A: Every CX-DH unit is backed by our comprehensive 12-month full replacement warranty covering all functional performance aspects.
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