TPA Compact 4 CNC Control Unit

TPA COMPACT 4 CNC Controller
TPA COMPACT 4 CNC Controller

A used TPA Compact4 CNC control unit is available for sale for use in compatible industrial automation, CNC, and machine-control applications.

The TPA Compact4 is a compact, low-power computerized numerical controller based on an embedded PC architecture. It is designed for wall mounting inside an electrical cabinet and provides an integrated control platform in which field devices and peripheral connections are managed through multiple communication buses.

The unit may be used as a replacement for a faulty controller, kept as a critical spare part, used in a purpose-built CNC machine, or installed to recommission a compatible TPA automation system.

Product Information

  • Brand: TPA
  • Model: Compact4
  • Product type: Computerized numerical control unit
  • Architecture: Embedded PC based
  • Operating system: Windows CE
  • Installation: Wall mounting inside an electrical cabinet
  • Cooling: Fanless
  • Axis-control cycle: 1 ms for frequency/direction axes
  • EtherCAT real-time cycle: 4 ms
  • Axis capacity: Up to four frequency/direction axes
  • Digital inputs/outputs: 32 × 24 V DC PNP I/O
  • Flyer interface: 8 inputs and 8 outputs at 5 V
  • Condition: Used
  • Application: CNC, automation, and light-industrial machine-control systems
  • Availability: In stock

The Compact4 can manage up to four frequency/direction axes in a 1 ms real-time cycle. It supports incremental encoder signals, reference marks, and fast inputs. It also provides 32 status-indicated PNP input/output lines with galvanic isolation.

Hardware Specifications

  • Processor: 615 MHz or higher
  • Cache: 512 KB
  • RAM: 1 GB DDR3 1066 MHz or higher
  • Flash memory: 512 MB or higher
  • Operating system: Windows CE
  • Maximum dimensions: 200 × 126 × 65 mm
  • Maximum weight: 900 g
  • Installation: Wall mounted
  • Main power supply: 12 V DC ±10%, 3 A
  • Recommended operating temperature: 5 to 45 °C
  • Permissible relative humidity: 10–95%, without condensation

The TPA documentation describes the Compact4 as a fanless controller powered by an external 12 V DC supply and designed for compact electrical-cabinet installation.

Axis-Control Features

The Compact4 provides four frequency/direction axis interfaces with corresponding incremental encoder inputs.

Main axis features include:

  • Control of up to four real-time axes
  • Frequency and direction drive commands
  • Differential frequency/direction outputs
  • Incremental encoder A, B, and C/Z channel support
  • Encoder reference-mark management
  • Fast-input support
  • Maximum frequency output: 1,000 kHz
  • Maximum incremental encoder input frequency: 4,000 kHz
  • Galvanic isolation of axis signals

These functions allow the Compact4 to be used with compatible drives and motors in positioning and multi-axis machine-control applications.

Digital Inputs and Outputs

The Compact4 provides a total of 32 digital 24 V DC PNP input/output channels.

Main I/O features include:

  • High-side PNP output design
  • LED indication for input and output status
  • Four-sample digital anti-bounce filtering
  • Automatic output shutdown in the event of a short circuit
  • Automatic output reset after the short circuit is removed
  • Galvanic isolation of inputs and outputs
  • Normal operating output current: 0.5 A per channel
  • Maximum permitted output current: 1 A per channel
  • 24 V DC field power supply

The manufacturer states that outputs are disabled when a short circuit is detected and can automatically reset within approximately one second after the short circuit has been removed.

Supported Communication Systems

The TPA Compact4 supports the following communication and fieldbus options:

  • EtherCAT
  • GreenBus 4.0
  • CAN Bus
  • TPA CAN
  • S-CAN
  • Ethernet LAN
  • RS232
  • RS485
  • Optional RS422

The controller provides separate Ethernet functions for communication with a supervisor PC and for EtherCAT. According to the manufacturer’s documentation, EtherCAT operates with a 4 ms real-time cycle.

Connection Interfaces

The main Compact4 connection interfaces include:

  • 1 × RS232 serial port
  • 1 × RS485 half-duplex serial port
  • Optional RS422 full-duplex operation
  • 1 × PS/2 keyboard and mouse interface
  • 1 × 10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet LAN
  • 1 × dedicated EtherCAT Ethernet connection
  • 2 × USB 2.0 ports
  • 1 × VGA/CRT monitor output
  • CAN Bus connection
  • GreenBus 4.0 connection
  • 4 × frequency/direction axis connectors
  • 32-channel PNP I/O terminals
  • Flyer interface
  • Feed-rate override potentiometer input

The Compact4 can be connected to a supervisor PC via Ethernet or configured with a suitable touch display and operator interface.

Flyer Interface

The controller includes a dedicated 5 V flyer interface supporting:

  • 8 digital inputs
  • 8 digital outputs
  • Differential A- and B-phase encoder signals
  • 5 V auxiliary power
  • Maximum incremental encoder frequency of 4,000 kHz

Status and Diagnostic Indicators

The Compact4 includes several LED indicators for monitoring system and communication status:

  • ON LED: Indicates controller operating status.
  • ERR LED: Reports system or hardware errors.
  • STA LED: Indicates normal system operation.
  • ST LED: Reports CAN Bus status.
  • GreenBus LEDs: Indicate GreenBus communication status.
  • I/O LEDs: Show the state of the related input or output channel.
  • VG LED: Indicates the presence of the 24 V DC field supply.
  • FX LED: Reports serious functional errors.

These indicators assist with machine commissioning, operation, and fault diagnosis.

Typical Applications

The TPA Compact4 may be used in:

  • CNC woodworking machinery
  • Drilling and milling machines
  • Cutting and positioning systems
  • Packaging machines
  • Special-purpose automation machinery
  • Multi-axis motion-control systems
  • Servo- or stepper-driven machine axes
  • EtherCAT-based control applications
  • Systems using TPA Albatros CNC
  • Maintenance and refurbishment of existing TPA control systems

The manufacturer describes the Compact4 as a computerized numerical controller for general use in light-industrial environments.

Compatibility Check

Before purchasing, the controller’s complete hardware and software configuration should be compared with the system currently installed in the machine.

Please provide the following information for compatibility verification:

  • Compact4 product label and serial number
  • Machine brand and model
  • Production year of the machine
  • TPA Albatros software version
  • Existing software and parameter backup
  • Axis and drive configuration
  • Whether the axes are controlled through frequency/direction or EtherCAT
  • Fieldbus configuration
  • GreenBus, CAN, or EtherCAT setup
  • Photos of the I/O wiring
  • Photos of the axis and encoder connectors
  • Supervisor PC or touch-panel information

Some fieldbus combinations may be subject to application-dependent restrictions or limitations. The complete system configuration should therefore be checked before ordering.

Software and Delivery Scope

The inclusion of CNC software, machine parameters, PLC programs, an Albatros licence, connection cables, or a supervisor PC depends on the stated delivery scope.

Unless specifically confirmed, the following items should not be assumed to be included:

  • TPA Albatros software licence
  • Machine-specific CNC and PLC programs
  • Machine parameters
  • System or Flash-memory backup
  • Supervisor PC
  • Touchscreen or monitor
  • Keyboard and mouse
  • Axis connection cables
  • EtherCAT, CAN, or GreenBus cables
  • External 12 V DC power supply
  • I/O terminal plugs and mounting accessories

The physical condition, product label, connectors, and included components can be seen in the product photos.

Please contact us for pricing, stock availability, testing information, software status, delivery scope, and further information.