ICP DAS has announced the new EMP-4648 — a high-performance SoftPLC controller in an ultra-compact form factor, designed for modern industrial automation systems where space savings, high performance, and advanced motion control capabilities are essential.
Measuring just 43 × 73 × 108 mm, the controller takes up minimal space inside a control cabinet, reduces installation requirements, and enables the creation of compact automated systems without compromising functionality. Its modular architecture allows for expansion using slim EC4 series EtherCAT modules, making the system flexible and easily scalable.
At the heart of the EMP-4648 is a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor running at 1.4 GHz and operating under Real-Time Linux (RT-Preempt). The controller is equipped with 2 GB of DDR4 RAM and 8 GB of built-in eMMC storage, ensuring stable operation even in demanding real-time applications.
For application development, the EMP-4648 uses the Win-GRAF programming environment, which complies with the IEC 61131-3 standard. It supports all major SoftPLC programming languages, including LD, FBD, ST, IL, and SFC, as well as the PLCopen Function Blocks library for implementing motion control tasks.
One of the key advantages of the EMP-4648 is its extensive communication capabilities. The controller supports EtherCAT, OPC UA, and Modbus TCP, enabling seamless integration with equipment from different manufacturers. EtherCAT supports communication cycles of down to 500 μs, connection of up to 128 slave devices, and motion control of up to 16 axes. This makes the EMP-4648 an excellent choice for high-speed automated production lines, packaging equipment, machine tools, robotic systems, and other multi-axis control applications.
For convenient operation, the controller features a built-in Web Management Interface that allows users to configure, diagnose, and maintain the equipment directly through a web browser without installing additional software. The device is also equipped with screw-type RJ45 connectors, providing reliable Ethernet and EtherCAT connections in industrial environments.
The EMP-4648 is designed for industrial operation. It operates on a 24 V DC power supply, has a power consumption of just 10 W, and supports an operating temperature range of −25 to +70 °C. The controller can be mounted either on a DIN rail or directly on a wall.
Key Advantages of the EMP-4648
- Ultra-compact dimensions for space savings inside control cabinets;
- Quad-core Cortex-A53 processor running at 1.4 GHz;
- Real-Time Linux with SoftPLC support;
- IEC 61131-3-compliant programming;
- EtherCAT with cycle times of down to 500 μs;
- Motion control for up to 16 axes and connection of up to 128 EtherCAT devices;
- Support for EtherCAT, OPC UA, and Modbus TCP;
- Expandability with the EC4 I/O system;
- Built-in web interface for configuration and maintenance;
- Industrial-grade design with an operating temperature range of −25 to +70 °C.
The EMP-4648 is an excellent solution for compact automation systems, packaging equipment, production lines, transportation systems, robotics, and other applications that require high performance, advanced motion control capabilities, and minimal equipment footprint.
For more detailed information about the EC4 series modules, see the article: «Decentralized EtherCAT System. ICP DAS’s EC4 series: compact solutions for flexible automation»
