Systems and methods for controlling coordinated drive systems

An industrial system, comprising:

• a plurality of drive units;
• each of the plurality of drive units comprising:
• an input/output module configured to communicate with one or more other drive units of the plurality of drive units via an industrial network;
• and
• a processor configured to set up the drive unit as a leader device or a follower device, wherein the drive unit is configured for operation as the leader device and as the follower device, comprising:
• a leader module configured to detect and configure one or more follower devices connected to the industrial network, wherein when the leader module is activated, the drive unit operates as the leader device;
• and
• a follower module configured to broadcast an identity of the drive unit and receive a configuration command from one of the one or more other drive unit operating as the leader device, wherein when the follower module is activated, the drive unit operates as the follower device,
• wherein the leader module is further configured to:
• receive operating status information of the one or more follower devices,
• receive a requested task, and
• distribute the requested task among the drive unit and the one or more follower devices until the requested task is completed.

A method of operating an industrial drive system comprising a plurality of drive units, the method comprising:

• generating a priority list of the plurality of drive units, the priority list indicating an order of the plurality of drive units being used as a leader device among the plurality of drive units;
• determining a drive unit as a first leader device according to the priority list;
• the first leader device:
• activating a leader module configured to:
• detect and configure one or more other drive units of the plurality of drive units as follower devices,
• receive operating status information of the follower devices, receive a requested task, and
• distribute the requested task among the first leader device and the follower devices until the requested task is completed;
• and
• deactivating a follower module configured to receive a configuration command from a leader device;
• detecting one or more changes of the plurality of drive units, including a new drive unit added to the industrial drive system;
• updating the priority list according to the detected one or more changes;
• determining the new drive unit as a second leader device according to the updated priority list;
• and
• in response to determining the new drive unit as the second leader device, the first leader device deactivating the leader module and activating the follower module.