inovance H3U Plc
Inovance H3U PLC with Motion Control
The Inovance H3U is a high-performance PLC family combining conventional machine control with high-speed I/O and advanced motion functions. Its integrated CPU and power-supply architecture supports both local and remote I/O expansion, making the H3U suitable for machinery involving servo drives, encoders and high-speed positioning.
Basic instruction execution is as fast as 100 ns per instruction, while program capacity is 64 K steps. This gives the controller sufficient resources for sequencing, high-speed counting, positioning and industrial communication within the same PLC platform.
High-Speed Inputs and Outputs
Depending on the CPU model, H3U controllers provide high-speed digital inputs of up to 200 kHz. These inputs can be used for encoder feedback, high-speed counting and fast machine-position sensing.
High-speed transistor-output capability also varies by CPU. Standard H3U models provide pulse outputs for positioning, while dedicated high-performance motion versions can provide output frequencies of up to 500 kHz. For servo or stepper applications, the complete CPU part number should therefore be checked rather than relying on the H3U family name alone.
Motion and Positioning Functions
In addition to conventional PLC functions, the H3U supports multi-axis positioning and interpolation. Standard motion versions provide two-axis circular and point-to-point interpolated motion.
Higher-performance H3U motion models extend these capabilities with three-axis point-to-point interpolation, spiral/helical motion and electronic CAM control for up to three axes. These functions are useful in packaging, cutting, winding, printing, feeding and other machinery requiring synchronized servo movement.
Ethernet, RS485, CANopen and CANlink
Depending on the model, the H3U combines Ethernet, RS422/RS485, CAN and USB interfaces. Communication options include Modbus TCP over Ethernet, Modbus RTU over serial communication and CANopen and CANlink through the CAN interface.
CANopen can be used to integrate compatible servo drives and other automation equipment. Inovance's proprietary CANlink network provides communication and remote-expansion functions between compatible controllers, drives and I/O devices.
Ethernet can also be used for program transfer, monitoring and communication with other industrial Ethernet devices, allowing H3U controllers to operate within machine networks containing HMIs, AC drives, servo drives and other controllers.
Local and Remote I/O Expansion
The H3U is not limited to the I/O integrated into the CPU. With the appropriate expansion architecture, the system supports up to 192 local digital I/O points and up to 24 local analog I/O channels.
Remote I/O can be used on larger machines through CANlink and other supported expansion architectures. Inovance documentation from different revisions specifies different maximum remote-I/O capacities, so large-system limits should be confirmed against the exact CPU, expansion architecture and applicable hardware manual.
See the Inovance PLC modules and options and Inovance expansion systems pages for related I/O hardware.
H3U Device Memory
In addition to its 64 K-step program capacity, the H3U provides 9,216 auxiliary relay points, 512 timers, 256 counters, 9,552 data registers and 32,768 file registers. This memory structure can be used for machine logic, counters, status information, recipes and process data.
Programming H3U with AutoShop
Inovance H3U PLCs are configured and programmed with AutoShop. The H3U programming environment supports the IEC 61131-3 Ladder Diagram (LD), Instruction List (IL) and Sequential Function Chart (SFC) programming methods.
On supported CPUs, programs can be downloaded and monitored through USB, serial communication or Ethernet. When replacing a controller in an existing machine, the program file alone is not sufficient: the exact CPU model, I/O configuration, option or expansion modules and communication settings should all be checked.
H3U Is Now a Legacy PLC Platform
Inovance currently classifies the H3U as a legacy product. However, many H3U controllers remain installed in operating machinery, so programming software, expansion compatibility and technical documentation remain important for maintenance and service work.
For a new machine project, a current Inovance controller platform may be more appropriate. For servicing an existing H3U installation, preserving the exact controller model and understanding the installed expansion hardware is generally more important than simply selecting a newer PLC with a similar I/O count.
Related Inovance Resources
Inovance PLCs | PLC modules and options | Expansion systems | Inovance programming software