ATS MACS is an open-architecture, PC-based machine control platform engineered to provide real-time control and feedback on the factory floor, with a level of power and flexibility far beyond what conventional PLC or other industrial control technology can offer.

Built around advanced controls methodologies developed by ATS, MACS offers proven robustness and unlimited flexibility for integrating ATS Automation Technology Products, as well as third-party hardware, in a complex production environment using a suite of standardized data-driven software tools.

MACS’ architecture combines an easy-to-use Windows®-based human machine interface (HMI) running on a Pentium® PC with a high-performance machine control engine running on a dedicated second PC. The result is real-time control and high reliability, along with the ability to present and manage large amounts of information.

		MACS Console The MACS Console’s standard functions include system setup and operation with detailed status and fault handling, multiple part types and the ability to easily monitor and modify system parameters.
		MACS Program Developer The MACS editor provides for programming and debugging the system’s multi-tasking asynchronous sequential programs and virtual PLC parameters, as well as mapping the system hardware to the application layer.

Sequential Asynchronous Programs The MACS dedicated machine control engine runs multiple sequential asynchronous tasks simultaneously, while scanning PLC logic in the background to monitor and resolve thousands of pieces of machine information.

Open Hardware Connectivity MACS supports a wide variety of I/O platforms and comes with a comprehensive library of the latest drivers for more than 50 third-party devices, including numerous multi-axis motion controllers, vision systems and other intelligent devices.

• Fully configured and ready to build your application,
  out of the box
• Modular code generator optimizes task programming
• Pre-engineered fault controls with status reporting
• Create new part types or run new software modules,
  without affecting existing machine control code
• Consistent configuration and programming regardless of hardware, minimizes training time for operators and maintenance personnel
• Up to 32 motion control axes on a single controller,
  with any combination of controller cards
• Scalable from centralized through distributed system
  architectures, works with all networking protocols
• Costs less than comparable PLC solutions
• Hundreds of MACS systems installed