How do I read encoder signals using a NI MID-7604 Stepper Motor Drive and LabVIEW?

[khott13]

Hello,

I am fairly new to LabVIEW and was wondering how to implement incremental rotary encoders into a motion control VI.

I am using:
- LabVIEW 8.0
- NI PCI-7344 GPIB Card
- NI MID-7604 Stepper Motor Drive
- US Digital HB6M Rotary Incremental Encoders

I am attaching the VI's we are currently using to control the motors. We were able to get the encoders to work in NI MAX but are not sure how to code them into the LabVIEW VI. Any VI examples would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for the help and advice!

-Kyle

Message Edited by khott13 on 05-23-2007 09:36 AM

[Jasper S]

Hello Kyle,

When you run this program, what do the position counts display?  Do they give erroneous values or simply nothing at all?  You may want to use the Read Encoder Position VI to determine the encoder count.

Regards,

Jasper S

[khott13]

Jasper,

Thank you for the response. Where can I find the Read Encoder Position VI? I have searched my hard drive and do not seem to have it. I am using LabVIEW 8.0 and NI-Motion 7.5.

Thanks,
Kyle

[Allison_S]

Kyle,

    The Read Encoder Position VI is on the block diagram palette, in Vision and Motion >> NI Motion >> Analog and Digital I/O.  It is a Motion VI so you should be able to see it in your palette if you have it installed.  Check your palette, if it's not available there, then you may want to try reinstalling motion to make sure it's associated with LabVIEW on your computer.  Thanks!