How to send an analog output signal on same axis running a stepping motor umi 7764/ PCI7334

Question

I am running a single axis stepping motor (which is working fine) but
for the application I need to be able to turn on and off a 5 volt
laser.  It notes in the manual for the UMI 7764  that the the
analog output can be used as a general-purpose voltage output.  I
would like to use it as such, but can't figure out what VI's actually
send messages to the board to output a 5 Volt signal.  
Ideally I would use the analog output on the same axis that the
stepping motor is on, but if need be I could use one of the other axis
if this isn't possible (ie. it may not be possible to step and send
analog voltage output on same axis at same time).  I have been
looking at the configuring DAQ and ADC stuff, but can't seem to make
sense if these actually control the analog output channel.  I
think they just control the Analog input channels, but maybe I am
wrong. 
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Andre

Answer 1

Hi,
It is possible to send analog output out of the same same DAC channel in which your stepper is connected, if you configure the stepper as open loop in MAX. I've tried it. This way you have the stepper output, analog output and encoder input acting independently. So you can use these seperately for different purposes, such as using the analog output for constant speed motors where speed or position control is not of much importance, encoder for positioning some other axes and stepper output for stepper control. With good programming skills, the NI motion controllers can thus be used for the most complex configurations. Great work NI !!! Nothing is impossible.
Regards,
Giridhar Rajan
Automation Engineer, Design
Cruiser Controls
Mumbai, India