PLC's with Virtual Axes and step/direction motion output

[Tomfoolery]

I have a unique material handling need that can be addressed by combining a conveyor's belt motion with a linear slide that moves the conveyor's frame position. This will give me a way to manipulate what is happening on top of the conveyor separately from what is happening on the underside of the conveyor (it would take a very long explanation to describe why this is a good thing and how it would be used, so you'll have to trust that this is a useful application of motion control).

To make this work, I need a PLC that:
1) has two virtual axes
2) has two real axes of motion control output
3) has the motion output in the form of step & direction

There will be a separate trigger input for each virtual axis. Each virtual axis might have a different triggered motion (example: a three" index for a trigger on VM1 or a 36" index for a trigger for VM2).

The conversion to the real axes would be a combined gearing of the activity of the VM's. For example: Motor 1 = 0.75*VM1+0.5VM2. This is the same kind of combined gearing that is required for H-bots.

I want the step & direction output so that I can easily mock this up with steppers and then advance to Clearpath Servos to commercialize it.

I looked at Delta, but the outputs appear to be analog 0-10VDC. I looked at Panasonic, but it is unclear whether they can handle two simultaneous VMs. Allen-Bradley doesn't have step & direction without paying a lot for AMCI cards.

Any suggestions as to what PLC's might have everything I am after?

 

[keithkyll]

Take a look at Automation Direct's Productivity series. I haven't used it yet, but it looks like it will do what you want.
Link to 2-Channel Motion Module.

 

[Paullys50]

Look into the Mitsubishi PLCs with the simple or advanced motion modules. Just not sure of your #3 requirement.

 

[jeffyech]

AC500 PM590 with ethercat library and CM579 and FM562 modules. you can get this from ABB

http://new.abb.com/plc