raising the speed of step motors operating in tandem

[lalitha]

I use a PC TIO-10 ineterface board to supply clock pulses to run my step motor (SUPERIOR ELECTRIC M061-LE02E). the program I use is able to generate clock pulses only up to 1000 Hz frequency. I am attaching the program along with this mail. I contacted NI about this some weeks back and was told to use the �finite pulse train generation- Intermediate� example vi in LV. But when I use this program, though the frequency of the train of clock pulses to each motor is high, there is a delay in sending the clock pulse from one motor to another. hence when the motors are run in a sequence, there is an overall increase in time of operation, even though the individual motors are running at higher speed.

Is there some
way I can fix this problem ? I am using LV 5.0. Is this the best I can get out of this version ?

I would also like to talk about my overall system - in terms of whether I need an upgrade/ new hardware/ software for my LV version, the interface board PC-TIO-10 or any of the other components of my system. I intend to build a more robust system for my application and would like to talk about the motion control products that you have .

thank you
Lalitha.

[Spencer S.]

Greetings,

I agree with the advice you received about using the Finite Pulse Train-Int (9513).vi. You will be able to achieve much higher frequencies because you are not limited by the speed of software (your finite pulse train is hardware-timed). The example you attached is software-timed because you are calling CTR Control.vi repeatedly in a For Loop to generate your finite pulse train with single pulse generation.

The delay you are seeing from one motor to the other may have to do with the manner in which you are using the example to generate multiple finite pulse trains. You should be able to make copies of the example code and place them in the same VI to control more than one motor. You can then use the error cluster to synchronize the starting of
each finite pulse train. If software synchronization is not accurate enough for your application, a hardware trigger may be in order.

If you plan to build a more robust system, I would definitely look into National Instruments' Motion Control hardware and software. Below is the link to a web page, which discusses the products they have to offer:

National Instruments' Motion Products:

http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/nioc.vp?cid=1506〈=US

I also think it would be a great idea to speak to one of National Instruments' engineers who specialize in Motion:

Request Support:

http://sine.ni.com/apps/we/niae_asc.main

Good luck with your application.

Spencer S.

[lalitha]

thanks very much Spencer. I spoke to the engineers at NI - they have been very helpful. I shall also look into the links that you have attached.

regards
Lalitha.