KSMC-EtherCAT Master 4 Lite (EM4-Lite): Fanless Mini-ITX EtherCAT Machine Controller

EM4-Lite is a fanless Mini-ITX industrial controller from Sodick America's KSMC-ECAT family. Built on a powerful 4-core Intel Atom series processor with future-proof DDR5 memory and dual 2.5 GbE LAN, it runs SE-Master on real-time Linux together with a built-in NC controller for G-code execution. It controls up to 16 servo axes (9 interpolated) at a typical 500 µs cycle.

Both are Mini-ITX x86 platforms that run SE-Master. EM4 uses a 6-core Intel Core i5, offers a best-case 62.5 µs PDO cycle, has two EtherCAT ports with cable redundancy, supports Windows + INtime as well as RT-Linux, and runs Sodick's full software suite (SA Motion, RDI-L, IEC 61131-3 PLC, MaCH NC, SmART HMI, OPC-UA) on Windows + INtime. EM4-Lite uses a 4-core Intel Atom series processor and runs SE-Master with an NC controller on real-time Linux, at a 500 µs typical cycle on one EtherCAT port. It is the more cost-effective choice when G-code NC control is what the machine needs.

No. EM4-Lite runs SE-Master and a built-in NC controller on real-time Linux: G-code programs drive coordinated motion on up to 9 interpolated axes over EtherCAT, and the board connects to the plant over 2× 2.5 GbE. Sodick's SA Motion, RDI-L, IEC 61131-3 PLC, MaCH NC, SmART HMI and OPC-UA run on EM4 (Windows + INtime); choose EM4 if your machine needs them.

No. EM4-Lite has a single EtherCAT port, so the network runs in a line topology without a redundant return path, and the dual-master configuration available on EM4 is not supported. If your machine needs cable redundancy, choose EM4, EM3 or EM3-Lite, all of which have two EtherCAT ports with cable redundancy.

EM4-Lite is drive-vendor agnostic. SE-Master supports the CiA 402 drive profile, so any CiA 402 EtherCAT servo drive can be used, from any vendor and in any mix, along with standard EtherCAT I/O. The graphical configurator imports ESI files, exports the ENI network configuration and provides live network scan and diagnostics. Contact us to confirm a specific device.

EM4-Lite fits machines that need a complete controller in one box when cost is a deciding factor: laser cutting, robotics, semiconductor equipment, vision systems, measurement systems and high-end automation. Its x86 headroom, M.2 expansion and dual 2.5 GbE leave room for vision and logging alongside real-time motion.

EM4-Lite runs from a 12 VDC input. Detailed electrical specifications are provided during the project sizing conversation. Contact Sodick America or Motax Solutions with your axis count, required cycle time and enclosure details and our engineers will confirm the electrical and mechanical requirements for your build.