Programming wizard simplifies system setup
1 min read
A powerful new axis wizard that aids motion control programming in assembly systems is incorporated into an enhanced version of Performance Motion Devices' (PMD's) Pro-Motion software, now available in the UK from Inmoco of Daventry.
Pro-Motion 5.0 is a major new release of PMD's Pro-Motion software for Windows-based environments. It includes an upgraded axis set-up wizard, support for Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) based motion amplifiers, including PMD's Atlas digital amplifier products, and support for all-in-one embedded motion cards and systems. The software also includes digital amplifier support and embedded motion development support.
The axis wizard is graphical and provides step-by-step configuration assistance for all control signal parameters including quadrature feedback, motion output signals, home signals, Hall sensor signals and analogue I/O.
The wizard can also perform automated tests to characterise connection and configuration information. Users can then accept these automatic parameters or provide their own values. Additional features of the wizard include current loop and position loop auto-tuning, and system configuration storage.
Another major new feature is support for SPI-based solderable motion amplifiers including PMD's Atlas digital amplifiers. These amplifiers are used in embedded motion applications where the motion processor IC and motion amplifier are co-located on the same card.
Stepper motors, brushed and brushless DC motors are all supported by the Pro-Motion software, as is manual and automatic tuning of amplifier gain parameters, temperature monitoring and I2t current tuning.
Embedded motion software development is supported via a command window along with a simple scripting facility to program sequences of commands. Features of the command line processor include command-auto-completion and virtualisation of the axis interface to allow communication to local or remote axes.
Additional features include a console window that provides print-style outputs from the embedded motion code, and a monitor window that allows motion command traffic to and from the motion processor to be viewed and analysed.
Additional Pro-Motion features include the ability to run on Windows 32 and Windows 64 operating systems, programmable control windows, position monitoring, up to four simultaneous trace variables, and programmable interpretation for signals such as limit switches, home signals and quadrature feedback signals.
