Have problem with my encoder

[netee]

Hi

I have to control a stepper motor and get feedback from the shaft encoder. The system already exist but it is old and controlled by a DOS program(PASCAL) so I have to upgrade the software and I intended to use labview. I have planned to change the controller card, cables,etc to that of an NI products but the encoders should not be changed. The controller that is in use now receive a 17 bits gray coding from the encoder. Only one bit is inverted whenever a step is moved.so I want to know if you have got any motion controller that could accept that number of bits so that I can still read from the encoder or can you suggest any alternative that I can take.

Please help!

[Michelle_N]

Hi netee,

The short answer is no, we do not have any motion controllers that will work for your encoder. I'm assuming this is an absolute encoder -- none of our drives natively support absolute encoder input. Our cards take 2 bits of quadrature encoder data. We do have DIO lines that could take this encoder data but there is no way to route these signals to the PID control onboard.

Is there a reason you are staying with this encoder?

[netee]

Yes, the encoder is used inside high radiation area where the encoders with inbuild electronic devices are easily damaged. This encoder use the mechanical switching and is designed specially to work inside that area. We did placed some cameras inside there and unfortunetly they have to be removed because they were damaged. I did look at the encoders that you suggested, and if I'm not wrong, its like they have an inbuild electronics inside them hence they cannot be a good option to go to.,so I want to know if you have got any encoders that can be used for that purpose.

if not, is it possible to develop drivers for the card because I have to use LabVIEW to program the system. 

Please help!!

[Brian_Beal]

You can still use Labview with non-NI motion controllers.  Delta Tau, Galil, and Yaskawa all make controllers that can interface to 17-bit absolute encoders.  Galil or Yaskawa would be the easiest to set up.  You may want to contact them to go over your application.