I have a PHI TRIFT3 ToF-SIMS instrument. The instrument comes with a default
software. However, the software don't offer fine step motor control. I want to control
the step motor using Labview.
I got some info from a Japanese engineer of the company.
The step motor controller is connect to a card in ISA slot. In the default software, I
can send command like D2000(distance 2000) and A100(acceleration 100) to "port 2"
to control the motor. I have a manual of the commands.
However, I don't know how to send command from Labview. Here is a joysticker
connected to COM1, COM2 is used for other vacuum control. The joysticker can also
control the motor..Here are some reply from the company about the control.
"We do not use special driver for control the step motor.
This is just sending the serial command via RS232C per command instruction I
sent you before. The only difference is, to simplify the hardware, we just talk to data acq
module(wave form card) via PAHOST card(installed in ISA bus slot of the PC)
to passthru the RS232C command to stepper motor control unit.
If you try to talk to step motor. just send the RS command from Labview
platform. (of course need to connect the step motor controller from PC,
default TRIFT PC does not have a spare COM channel, might be need to add
serial etension card or add the computer for Labview control)
"TRIFT PC passthru the RS232 command throught ISA bus to PHI data
acquisition box to stepper motor control.
Joystick handled by default software , convert to stage movement
command X and Y then send thru to ISA. "
I tried to use the Basic Serial Write and Read.vi to send command to COM1 but I always
get an error"1073807246 ocurred at property node(arg 1) in VISA configure Serial prot(Instr).vi->
Basic Serial Write and Read.vi Possible reason: VISA: the resource is valid, but VISA cannot access
it." I think this happens because the default software is also open and trying to control COM1.
What should I do to accomplish the step motor control? Thanks a lot
