What Replaces the Gemini GV6K Servo Drive Controller?

Owned by Jack Degrano
Last updated: Aug 05, 2024 by Eric Rojas (Unlicensed)
3 min read

The GV6K single-axis servo drive controller is discontinued and no longer available. Repairs will be supported until parts are no longer available, typical 3-5 years depending upon demand.

Affected products: GV6K-L3E, GV6K-L3R, GV6K-L3E-NK, GV6K-L3R-NK, GV6K-U3E, GV6K-U3R, GV6K-U3E-NK, GV6K-U3R-NK, GV6K-U6E, GV6K-U6R, GV6K-U6E-NK, GV6K-U6R-NK, GV6K-U12E, GV6K-U12R, GV6K-U12E-NK, GV6K-U12R-NK, GV6K-H20E, GV6K-H20R, GV6K-H20E-NK, GV6K-H20R-NK

As are all customs CP*GV6K-...-XXXXX based on above products.

 

The Gemini 6K servo drive/controllers were introduced in the late 1990s. Parker made several design changes and component purchases over the last decade to extend the life of the product. However there are now too many components that are obsolete or have announced obsolescence for Parker to continue to keep these products active.

Note the GV and GV6 drives are NOT included in this notice.

 

The GV6K drive controllers are complex motion controllers with many features. Parker does not offer direct replacements with the same 6K programming language.  However the ACR7000 and IPA are highly capable controllers and would be the recommended solutions.  Applications should be carefully reviewed to understand the features utilized. Include HMI and PC programs in the review process as the interfaces are different for the 6K and ACR.

 

The programming is different but similar in text structure. The new ACR Programmer's Guide covers both Parker Motion Manager software (free download) and AcroBasic programming. See ACR7000 and IPA product pages for details click here.

 

The IPA is available in 400watt (3Arms continuous/9Arms peak) and 1500watt (6.5Arms continuous/19Arms peak) with 120/240vac input, redundant enable inputs, supports incremental encoders or newer absolute BiSS-C , HyperfaceDSL or Heidenhain EnDat (but not resolvers), has 2 analog inputs and 7 discrete inputs (3 high speed), 4 discrete outputs. 

The IPA has Ethernet TCP/IP communications for communications with Allen Bradley PLCs via Add On Instructions or peer-to-peer variable sharing between IPAs & ACR7000s. The IPA and ACR7000 can simultaneously be Ethernet/IP scanner for PIO-363 expansion I/O for additional I/O.  

Note the Gemini current ratings were Apk of sine. To convert, multiply by 0.707

Ex: The GV6K-U6E was 6A (pk of sine) * .707 = 4.2Arms

The motor continuous and peak rating should be checked. Though a U12E has 12A * .707 = 8.48Arms continuous available, this is typically more than the servo motor continuous rating (why would you purchase a servo motor and underpower it from a drive? Only for rare inertia matching purposes). Check the motor's continuous current rating!

 

For higher current applications, the PSD is available as programmable drive controller and supports both incremental encoder or resolver. It uses CoDeSys v3 for IEC61131-3 programming. The PSD-M units are available with 5, 8, 15 and 30Arms power level at 230-240vac (not 120vac) and has STO rated inputs.

 

 

 

Very old Gemini's had the option of Profibus:  GV6K-U6E-PB or GV6K-U12E-PB

or DeviceNet:  GV6K-U6E-DN or GV6K-U12E-DN   

These options have been obsolete for quite some time. Though the servo Compax3 I20 Profibus is available and the I22 DeviceNet are available for a bit longer, Profibus and DeviceNet are older field bus technology.  Most DeviceNet systems have upgraded to Ethernet/IP, where our IPA servo drive/controller is available and the multi-axis ACR7000 family also has Ethernet/IP. 

Most Profibus systems have upgraded to ProfiNet. The Parker PSD has both Ethernet/IP and ProfiNet.

 

The ACR7000 and IPA's Parker Motion Manager is fully compatible with Win10 computers. The 6K and Gemini6K's Motion Planner requires Win7 or older PCs.