Mitsubishi Electric is expanding the capabilities of its MELSERVO MR-J5 drives with the addition of Fail Safe over EtherCAT (FSoE) compatibility. This latest update enables interconnectivity with industrial automation devices that are compatible with EtherCAT, further enhancing multi-vendor interoperability, flexibility and convergence.

MR-J5 EtherCAT compatible servo amplifiers can be connected to an approved EtherCAT master to control safety functions over FSoE. This TÜV-certified network technology meets the IEC 61508 and IEC 61784-3 standards on safety-related systems and their messages.

This addition enables users in a variety of sectors, including automotive, food and beverage as well as lithium-ion battery production, to simplify safety installations, reducing wiring and costs. Also, industry players can benefit from an even broader industrial automation product base when developing advanced control and safety servo-based applications. Besides, they can easily integrate the new product within existing EtherCAT-based systems to deliver machines with high machine reliability and performance.

As a result, it is easier to plan, commission and manage more flexible safety systems. In particular, this pre-certified product helps to fulfil the safety requirements of machines and streamline development, certification and validation activities while reducing costs.

The new release enhances the capabilities of the well-established MR- J5 series. In effect, the latest range of servo drives from Mitsubishi Electric features key energy saving and predictive maintenance functions within a compact footprint. In addition, users can benefit from equipment with exceptional performance and reliability as well as remarkable uptime and service life.

Mitsubishi