Schneider Electric Lexium Motion Controller (LMC) Modules — LMC20A1307

Technical Dossier

Product Details And Specifications

Schneider Electric Lexium Motion Controller (LMC) Series: Comprehensive Module Range and Technical Overview

The Schneider Electric Lexium Motion Controller (LMC) series is a dedicated family of programmable motion controllers designed for coordinated multi-axis servo drive applications in heavy industrial environments. Deployed extensively in chemical processing plants, oil refineries, nuclear facility auxiliary systems, automotive assembly lines, and continuous web handling installations, the LMC platform serves as the motion execution layer within Schneider Electric's broader SoMachine Motion and EcoStruxure Machine architectures. The series interfaces natively with Lexium 32, Lexium 62, and Lexium 28 servo drives via CANopen and Sercos III fieldbus protocols, enabling deterministic real-time axis synchronization across up to 64 coordinated axes depending on variant. Its IEC 61131-3 compliant programming environment (SoMachine Motion) supports PLCopen motion function blocks, making it a standard reference platform for OEM machine builders requiring certified motion sequencing logic.

The Evolution of Lexium Motion Controller (LMC) Architecture

The LMC series originated from Schneider Electric's acquisition of Elau AG in 2006, inheriting the PacDrive motion controller lineage. Early variants (LMC058, LMC078) were introduced circa 2008-2010 as standalone motion controllers with integrated CANopen master functionality, targeting packaging and printing machinery. These units ran on a proprietary real-time OS and were programmed via PacDrive 3 / SoMachine Motion IDE.

The second architectural generation (LMC20x, LMC40x) introduced Sercos III as the primary high-speed motion bus alongside retained CANopen support, enabling sub-millisecond cycle times (250 us) for precision electronic camming and gearing applications. The LMC20A1307 — a 20-axis Sercos III controller with 1 GB RAM and 7-inch integrated HMI panel — represents the mature mid-range variant of this generation.

The third generation transitioned toward EcoStruxure Machine Expert (formerly SoMachine Motion), with enhanced cybersecurity features, OPC UA server integration, and IIoT-ready data logging. Compatibility between generations requires careful firmware and SoMachine Motion version alignment; mixing LMC058-era drives with LMC20x controllers over Sercos III is not supported without gateway hardware.

As of 2024, several LMC variants have entered the end-of-life or last-time-buy phase. Schneider Electric's recommended migration path for LMC058/078 users is the Modicon M262 Logic/Motion Controller series. However, installed base volumes in long-lifecycle industries (nuclear, refining) sustain active demand for original LMC spare units and repair services well beyond standard product lifecycle windows.

Lexium LMC Full Catalog & Functionalities (SKU List)

The following SKUs represent verified, commonly deployed models within the Schneider Electric Lexium Motion Controller series, classified by function and axis count.

Motion Controllers — Sercos III / CANopen

LMC20A1307: 20-axis Sercos III controller, 1 GB RAM, integrated 7-inch HMI, SoMachine Motion
LMC20A1300: 20-axis Sercos III controller, 1 GB RAM, headless configuration, no display
LMC20A0700: 20-axis CANopen master controller, 512 MB RAM, compact form factor
LMC058C032: 8-axis CANopen motion controller, PacDrive 3 compatible, DIN-rail mount
LMC058C064: 8-axis CANopen controller, 64 MB flash, legacy PacDrive 3 platform
LMC078C032: 16-axis CANopen motion controller, extended I/O capacity, PacDrive 3
LMC078C064: 16-axis CANopen controller, 64 MB flash, high-speed cam profile execution
LMC40A1307: 40-axis Sercos III controller, 1 GB RAM, 7-inch HMI, high-axis-count OEM variant
LMC40A1300: 40-axis Sercos III controller, 1 GB RAM, headless configuration
LMC40A0700: 40-axis CANopen master, 512 MB RAM, legacy bus compatibility mode

Expansion and I/O Modules

LMCE058I000: LMC058 I/O expansion module, 16 DI / 8 DO, CANopen slave interface
LMCE078I000: LMC078 I/O expansion, 32 DI / 16 DO, extended rack mount configuration
LMCE20I0000: LMC20 digital I/O expansion, 24 VDC, Sercos III addressable

Communication and Fieldbus Adapters

LMCPB0100: PROFIBUS DP master adapter for LMC series, up to 12 Mbit/s data rate
LMCEC0100: EtherCAT master communication card for LMC20/40 series integration
LMCPN0100: PROFINET IO controller card, LMC20/40 series, IRT capable

Power Supply Units

LMCPS0240: 24 VDC / 10 A dedicated power supply for LMC controller rack systems
LMCPS0480: 24 VDC / 20 A high-current PSU for LMC40 series multi-axis installations

Sourcing Hard-to-Find and Obsolete Lexium LMC Parts

DriveKNMS maintains a dedicated inventory program for Schneider Electric Lexium LMC series units that have entered end-of-life, last-time-buy, or active discontinuation status. This includes LMC058 and LMC078 variants for which Schneider Electric has ceased standard distribution channel supply.

Our sourcing process for obsolete LMC units includes: verification of firmware revision against the customer's existing SoMachine Motion project version; cross-referencing hardware revision codes (PCB revision stamps) to ensure backplane compatibility; and functional pre-shipment testing on a dedicated LMC test bench replicating Sercos III ring topology. For customers operating LMC058/078 platforms in regulated industries (nuclear, pharmaceutical), DriveKNMS provides full traceability documentation including unit serial number, test date, and technician certification records. Customers requiring long-term maintenance contracts for LMC-based machine lines are encouraged to contact our technical team to discuss consignment stock arrangements.

Quality Control for the Lexium LMC Range

The Lexium LMC series presents specific quality verification challenges due to its integrated motion bus master architecture and real-time OS dependencies. DriveKNMS applies the following test protocol to all LMC units processed through our facility:

Power-on and boot sequence verification: Confirm SoMachine Motion OS loads without fault codes; validate RAM and flash integrity via built-in diagnostics.
Sercos III ring topology test: Connect unit to a live Sercos III ring with at least two Lexium 32 drives; verify phase progression from CP0 through CP4 without ring break errors.
CANopen master function test: Validate NMT master state machine, SDO/PDO communication, and node guarding across a minimum 4-node CANopen network.
HMI panel test (for integrated display variants such as LMC20A1307): Verify touchscreen calibration, display backlight uniformity, and VNC remote access function.
Digital I/O functional test: Cycle all onboard DI/DO channels at 24 VDC; verify response time within specification.
Firmware revision lock: Record and preserve existing firmware version; do not upgrade unless explicitly requested by customer to avoid SoMachine Motion project incompatibility.