Solution for Low-Cost Single-Axis Motion Control?

Hello,
I am currently researching the options that NI has available for low-cost linear actuators. I am looking to replace the functionality of a pneumatic solenoid with a linear actuator. I would like to create a system that uses strictly NI hardware and software. The system should be capable of the following:
Push an object with a maximum force of 500LB
Max stroke of 1 foot
Ability to monitor and control the position of cylinder (how far to extend preset)
Ability to stop/reverse the travel at any point along the stroke
Ability to control the velocity of the cylinder (preset)
The parameters for velocity and stroke length (0-12") would be set before the actuator begins to move, hopefully from a LabVIEW operator interface. These would not be changed on the fly. Any reccomendations would be welcome!
Thanks
Message Edited by LVB on 06-14-2006 08:49 AM
CLA, CTA

I suggest first deciding what motor you want to use. After you choose a motor, you can choose a drive.
NI offers two drives - the MID-765x for servo motors and MID-760x for stepper. motors. You can then connect the drive to an NI motion controller via a cable. If the specifications of these NI drives (see manuals) are not compatible with your motor, you can use a 3rd party drive instead. If you use a 3rd party drive, you will need to purchase a breakout box to connect an NI motion controller's signals to the 3rd party drive. NI offers two breakout interfaces - the UMI-7764 for a screw terminal interface and the UMI-7774 for a D-sub interface.
The NI motion controllers that I would recommend are the 7330 (for stepper only), 7340 (stepper/servo), and the 7350 (stepper/servo). The NI-Motion driver will allow you to command the motor to move to specified positions dynamically and monitor the current position. You can also set velocity constraints or set the velocity directly.
You can find more information on all the NI hardware that I have mentioned on the NI Motion Hardware page. This page lists features for the hardware and provides links to product pages (which contain links to the product manuals).
Allen H.

Similar Messages

3 axis motion control- where do I start?

I have to develop a hearing aid hybrid test system which will test an array
of hybrids. I already have the individual hybrid test code but need some
guidance with the motion control. Does anybody have any good references
for me on what aspects should be considered. All I really want to do is
step
and test but don't know much about motor types stepper/servo etc, limits,
calibration etc. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Dow Airen
Design Engineer
Crystalaid Microelectronics P/L

We use http://www.jrkerr.com/index.html motor control system. This uses
low cost Pics and a serial network. The drivers are a DLL and can be
called from LabVIEW. I have built multi axis devices and it has worked
real reliable. (No problems).
A company called Compu-Motion has experience building low cost hardware and
software for mult-axis devices. Compu-Motion web site is
www.compu-motion.com. Compu-Motion could help you build the hardware or
software.
John Harmon
330-848-0460
----- Original Message -----
From: Dow Airen
Newsgroups: comp.lang.labview
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 12:33 AM
Subject: 3 axis motion control- where do I start?
>
> I have to develop a hearing aid hybrid test system which will test an
array
>
> o
f hybrids. I already have the individual hybrid test code but need some
>
> guidance with the motion control. Does anybody have any good references
>
> for me on what aspects should be considered. All I really want to do is
> step
> and test but don't know much about motor types stepper/servo etc, limits,
> calibration etc. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Dow Airen
> Design Engineer
> Crystalaid Microelectronics P/L

Recmd for low cost, multi point temp logging

Can someone recommend the best, low cost way to monitor temp at 16
pts. We are doing qualifiation tests of an oven used in an bio tech
research application. But we are a startup and I need to stretch my
capital budget as much as possible. Here are the details:
1. type k theromocouople
2. 40-150F temp range
3. 16 tc input channels
4. scan rate = 1 reading / minute
5. log period = 60 hrs
I used National Instruments Field Point modules about 2 yrs ago for
this since they were the cheapest approach I found for the signal
condtioning since a 8 channels of type K tc inputs, the TC120 module,
cost $350.
Is there a better approach I should look at? I do not have to work
with LV or NI hw if there is a better approach.
Thanks in adv
ance for your advice,
Doug Danielson
[email protected]
Atlanta, GA
recmd for low cost, multi point temp logging

On 18 Jul 2003 14:59:07 -0700, [email protected] (William
Danielson) wrote:
>Can someone recommend the best, low cost way to monitor temp at 16
>pts. We are doing qualifiation tests of an oven used in an bio tech
>research application. But we are a startup and I need to stretch my
>capital budget as much as possible. Here are the details:
>
>1. type k theromocouople
>2. 40-150F temp range
>3. 16 tc input channels
>4. scan rate = 1 reading / minute
>5. log period = 60 hrs
>
>I used National Instruments Field Point modules about 2 yrs ago for
>this since they were the cheapest approach I found for the signal
>condtioning since a 8 channels of type K tc inputs, the TC120 module,
>cost $350.
>
>Is there a better approach I should look at? I do not have to
work
>with LV or NI hw if there is a better approach.
>
>Thanks in advance for your advice,
>
>Doug Danielson
>
>[email protected]
>Atlanta, GA
>
>
>recmd for low cost, multi point temp logging
I don't remember where I got them from but I had a similar project a
few years ago and found that thermistors are a lot cheaper (and
slightly less accurate) than thermocouples. get an AtoD card for a pc
and you are pretty much in buisness. You'll need some resistors too
for voltage dividers. You need to watch what voltage you put across
them so you don't get significant internal heating. The suppliers
have the schematics and other usefull info. Thermistors don't give
you a linear reaction, so you need to use a table, graph, or an
emperical equation get actual temps. You will also want to calibrate
all of them as there will be some variance between sensors (even if
they were perfect the resistors you use along with them will vary)
rather than try to get them all dead nuts on with li
ttle trimpots just
figure a fudge factor for each sensor for when you calculate back the
actual temps. I'd try them all in ice water and boiling water, just
seal them in plastidip or something.before immersing them.
David

Question of Requirements for Servo Project (Beginner to Motion Control in NI)

Hello,
I need to automate the rotation of an object while measuring the resistance/required torque and rotation angle. This should be achievable with a servo motor with torque feedback, if I've been informed correctly. I will then need to compare the torque vs. angle curves and produce some kind of output depending on that analysis.
I'd like to ask from those more experienced:
I have experience in LV so I would like to have that as the programming environment. What other components will I need to control a servo in this fashion (with feedback control and the ability to send a digital output dependant upon the results of my analysis)? Any recommendations?
Thank you.

Thanks for the response.
I see now. I didn't know this holds for servos as it does for DC motors.
To reiterate:
In essence I need a system to do the following:
1. When triggered by existing PLC system to "GO", begin.
2. Actuate servo or stepper a certain # of revolutions, measure/calculate torque with T=KI proportionality.
3. When revolutions finished, go back. Analyze Torque vs. angle curve.
4. Depending on result of (3), either send PLC system "TRUE" or "FALSE".
That is essentially all. this system would fit between two stations of an existing PLC system. I want to program the servo or stepper control with LV.
However, I don't know where to begin. What would one need? Should I use a stepper or servo? In addition to the controller and servo/stepper, what else do I need?

Best soundblaster solution for low latency recording/monitor

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El_Pepe,
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Low-cost OS X purchase option for obsolete iBooks?

I have some obsolete iBook G3 500 mhz / 10 gig / 128 meg / CD and iBook G3 700 mhz / 20 gig / 128 meg / Combo. I have been thinking about just throwing them in the trash. Someone tells me, no no don't do that, you can sell them on ebay for ... $50 each or so. Woo.
(Oh, and yes a bunch of them do have that powerful sweaty "iBook Stink" keyboard problem. I am not sure what the official Apple solution is. Anyone tried applying Old Spice to a keyboard?)
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Is there a refurbisher licensing program for cheap old licenses of OS X, from Apple? I am not finding anything.
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I wrote to Steve directly a few years ago asking about free or low-cost OS X licenses for these obsolete Macs, and Apple responded with the name of an electronics recycler near me. (Really!) Once support ends in about 3-4 years, who cares? Apple sure doesn't. And besides, you should be buying "the next one", to stay all hip and cool and "with it", anyway.
Still looks like trashing them is the best option, as trying to sell them for $20 per machine with 9.2.2 / 10.2 is not worth my time to pack and ship them..

txformer wrote:
Apple sure doesn't.
Precisely.
BDAqua wrote:
I have no idea what Apple has to lose by making say 10.4 available cheaply, certainly no sales loses
No? Through forced obsolescence you are removing older computers from the market and obliging people to buy newer, so faster turnover and sales of newer (unless they decide that they give up on Macs). Fast forward 5 years. Scenario where Apple sticks with their pattern of no longer selling old versions, nor will they be available on disc because it's all download. How will you get hold of Lion 5 years from now to make a 2008 Mac functional in 2017? I suspect the used Mac market will really be hit hard because our current means of updating older Macs by finding old discs on the used market will be gone. Right now I can buy a 6 year old OS (Leopard) to make my 10 year old Quicksilver still pretty functional in 2012. I am not sure we will be able to do the equivalent in a few years from now becuse we won't have a means of getting hold of the new system versions unless you buy one now and stick it on the shelf "just in case".
Only thing I can think of is maybe a Family Pack install Disc.
Technically those are for family use, not selling 5 computers to anybody on e-bay. In that regard you'd be no better off with a family pack than a single installer.

3_Axis Motion Control

I need to enter target positions in degrees.I am using PCI 7433 Motion controller
and Servo Motors in Closed loop condition with Incremental Encoders
Thanks and regards.
Sunil

We use http://www.jrkerr.com/index.html motor control system. This uses
low cost Pics and a serial network. The drivers are a DLL and can be
called from LabVIEW. I have built multi axis devices and it has worked
real reliable. (No problems).
A company called Compu-Motion has experience building low cost hardware and
software for mult-axis devices. Compu-Motion web site is
www.compu-motion.com. Compu-Motion could help you build the hardware or
software.
John Harmon
330-848-0460
----- Original Message -----
From: Dow Airen
Newsgroups: comp.lang.labview
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 12:33 AM
Subject: 3 axis motion control- where do I start?
>
> I have to develop a hearing aid hybrid test system which will test an
array
>
> o
f hybrids. I already have the individual hybrid test code but need some
>
> guidance with the motion control. Does anybody have any good references
>
> for me on what aspects should be considered. All I really want to do is
> step
> and test but don't know much about motor types stepper/servo etc, limits,
> calibration etc. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Dow Airen
> Design Engineer
> Crystalaid Microelectronics P/L

[basic] the scope of motion control in LV

I am a very beginner in motor control part.
Very recently, some motor need to use some proper control board in control unit or PC.
If so, what is the scope of the motion control driver (library) in LabVIEW developement version?
Some restricted motor type?
What other instrument should I prepare to use the driver?
What's the difference between this type(PC or control board) and NI motion controller?
Any materials for beginner should be welcomed.

For getting started with NI Motion Control I recommend this website. Here you will find tutorials, webcasts, selection guides and much more.
In general NI Motion solutions are not limited to specific motor types or applications. Depending on your application requirements you can select between motion control plugin-boards or software defined systems based on real-time hardware and/or FPGA technology.
Please have a look at our web resources first and post any specific questions to the forum.
Thanks,
Jochen Klier
National Instruments

Searching for a low-cost plug for doing better slow motion clips.

Where can I find a low-cost or free plug-in for doing better slow motion clips? I produce alot of sports videos and use FCPHD but am looking for better quality. I am not necessarily looking for time-remapping (it confuses the ** out of me). Just want to simply slow down clips and not be as choppy as FCP turns out.
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New Discussions ResponsesThe new system for discussions asks that after you mark your question as Answered, you take the time to mark any posts that have aided you with the tag and the post that provided your answer with the tag. This not only gives points to the posters, but points anyone searching for answers to similar problems to the proper posts.
If we use the forums properly they will work well...
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PCI6602 for motion control?

Hi, I am wondering if it is possible to use the pulse generation of the
PCI6602 to control a stepper motor
driver, the problem is that I need aceleration and deceleration in the
pulse train.
I'm using the PCI6602 for event counting (~ MHz), and I need to
synchronize the data acquisition to the stepper motor pulses at a rate
of ~10 KHz. It would be nice to use a single card for both acquisition
and motion control.
thanx,
Stefano

Stefano,
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While you could achieve reasonable stepper control with the counter board with some trial and error, the PCI-7334 would probably be a better solution. This controller easily handles acceleration and deceleration and allows you to route the encoder signals over the
RTSI bus to control the data acquisition process.
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Which is the best low-cost camera for my use?

Hi everyone. Been busy and off the forums for a while, but need your expertise once again.
I just found out that the Panasonic HVX-200p that's been on loan to me for 2 years has to be returned. Since I run a non-profit, I am thinking about asking my major donors to buy one for us. So, the question becomes which one? I own the CS4 MC, and you can see my other info in my profile.
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Actually, two things surprise me in your statement and one is simply incorrect:
As for Broadcast quality..... a little station called CNN - you might have heard about them bought 250 of them from Panasonic about a year ago.
First, that CNN would buy JVC cameras not from JVC, but from Panasonic.
Second, there are no JVC cameras on the BBC approved list at all, see http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/site/BBC_Approved_HD_Cameras.pdf and the only affordable ones on the list in the handheld category are the Canon XF300/305. Maybe that is the reason the BBC bought 350 of these. Even the Sony XDCAM EX is only accepted in combination with a 50 Mb disk drive, not in the native 35 Mb format.
The BBC approved list is a list that most broadcasters adhere to, including CNN, Discovery, ARD and NGC.
The JVC GY-HD100U is definitely not acceptable for HD, and in no way HD broadcast ready. But that CNN bought that number of these cameras is probably caused by the fact that they think these deliver better quality than regular phones. And it does not use XDCAM, but a very simple HDV codec, limited to 1280 x 720 resolution. See http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/specs.jsp?model_id=MDL101539&feature_id=03
This simply means that the Canon codec is very acceptable to the BBC for HD programs. The XF100 uses the same codec, but is only a single sensor camera and for that reason alone not approved by the BBC.
Paul, if you can live with the limitations of a single sensor camera - and given your intended purposes, I think you can - the JVC does not even come close and the XF100 material will be hardly worse than the XF300/305. To the untrained eye the results are almost the same.

Softmotion module must for circular motion control?

Hi,
We are planning to use two NI 9514 modules for 2-axis motion (2D motion) control which involves Circular Motion. Is it compulsory to use the NI Softmotion module with NI 9514 for the motion control? Also would like to know, if it is compulsory to use the Softmotion module, then what is the estimated gate usage?
Thanks in advance.
Pradeep.

Pradeep,
the NI 9514 is meant to be used in scan mode without the need of FPGA programming. The module runs the motion control onboard, so it doesn't use a lot of FPGA resources. NI-SoftMotion in combination with the NI 9514 only requires resources on the RT controller, so the only part that requires significant FPGA resources is the scan engine itself. Depending on the FPGA type the gate usage of the scan engine varies, but a rough estimate is, that it requires about 1 M gates.
As already mentioned, the NI 9514 is meant to be used with the scan engine and NI-SoftMotion. This provides a high-level API (IEC-61131 function blocks), axis coordination, tools for configuring, tuning and testing the axes and so on. There is also a low-level FPGA interface to the NI 9514, but as long as there is not a strong technical reason for progrmaming the module in FPGA mode, I strongly recommend using the NI-SoftMotion approach.
Kind regards,
Jochen Klier
National Instruments

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I may be a unique case, because I do not want or really need all of the products that Adobe provides my for $30/month. Here is my dilemma:
I use Adobe illustrator infrequently, sometimes intensively for a month or so, but then I will not use it for the better part of a year. This is how I use the application.
So, I'm feel that being financially penalized for continuing to use Illustrator, since I pay for it every single month of my life, but use it infrequently. For example, if I use the program 20 times in 10 years (which is about how I do use it), then I am paying (according to the current student deal which I am sure will change in the coming 10 years time), $3600.00 over the course of 10 years to use the program 20 times. That works out to $180.00 per use.
Obviously I am not in good conscience able to renew my subscription with Adobe, and would have ended it earlier were it not for the severe financial penalty Adobe imposes on users for breaking a subscription contract before its official expiration.
Before I go, I just wonder if Adobe has any care for users such as myself. I know one unsatisfactory response already: I can by the full version, not get incremental updates, and will need to pay full price for each major upgrade. That's a bad deal too. How can a infrequent user of a single Adobe product (Illustrator) use the application for a reasonable amount of money? I don't need every Adobe product under the sun nor do I like the fact that somewhere in Adobe's hierarchy they think that is some kind of advantage to users. To me, that is product bloat, bordering on spam marketing.If I want a sip of water, I have to drink from the fire hydrant. This is so bone-headed.
I suppose, overall, I will advise my students to use what software the company they work for uses. But as far as a personal graphics package for independent work, I cannot recommend Adobe products anymore because of this pricing scheme, which really does penalize people who only use a product one in a while. But before I go, am I missing something? Is my assessment of this dilemma on target? I know I can no longer afford Adobe products, but I also want to advise my students in a way that is fair to them. Currently I am working on a module that shows all of the vector mapping graphics programs and breaks them down according to their feature set and cost for the user.
I've been using Adobe Illustrator for over two decades, and I will be sad to not have it available to me in the future, but this new business model and pricing structure no longer makes sense for me. Yes, considering the time and energy I've put into the program this is an emotional decision, but ending my relationship with Adobe is the healthy choice. It's like walking away from an abusive relationship of the passive-agressive variety. Adobe, what a drag!

On the face of it, the $30 for every monthly use seems like it might be a good solution for intermittent users. But, as a designers, I think many of us might like to take a brief look at an idea (sometimes just for the fun of it.) And so, if during one month I want to take a peek at some of my work with no real intention of doing any work, I would need to pay $30 to look at my own work. This kind of situation creates a kind of "double bind" for me. It's an uneasy feeling, having a kind of oppressive effect on the creative flow of ideas. Consider this case scenario: "I think I can improve that logo I did last summer. I wonder what this change would look like?" Well, to find out that will be $30.00. For me, that's an uncomfortable position. Again, thanks for the thoughtful reply.

Solution for Low-Cost Single-Axis Motion Control?

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