Load Cell, Linear Actuator Compatibility

[Jeremy Robots]

I am putting together a new test setup that will operate a linear actuator, while sampling load. Data will be graphed on a Load vs. Displacement graph. I'm new to Data Acquisition, so I just wanted to run my setup by someone that has a little more experience before I start spending money.

Motor and controller are from ZABER. Motor is a NEMA Size 23, 60mm travel (model #NA23C60), 175 lb force; controller is a 2 phase, up to 2.5A per phase stepper motor controller (model #T-MCA). Motor connects to the controller with a Minidin 8. Data cable on controller is a controller is a Minidin 6 connector.

Load Cell is a Honeywell Model 11 Subminiature Load Cell with 100 lb capacity(range code BR). I will also be using a Honeywell model UV-10 in-line amplifier to convert the signal from millivolt to ±10Vdc signal.

Input Module is a NI 9219, 4 channel, with 6-pos connector block(s).

Output Module is a NI 9265, 4 channel, with 10-pos connector block(s).

My question is, what is the best way to connect the motor controller to the input/output modules? Also, same question for the Load Cell/Amplifier and the Input module. Does my setup seem like it will work. I'm kind of flying blind here and would greatly appreciat any light someone can shed. Thanks in advance.

Jeremy Robots

[OliviaC · Accepted solution]

Hi Jeremy,

I'm not too familiar with the ZABER products but were you looking to use the NI modules to send commands to the controller or were you looking to use them as the drive for the motor? Either way, these modules won't be able to do either. A quick search on google shows that the motor controller communicates via serial and neither one of the modules you have listed has a serial connector. If you were planning on putting these modules in a cRIO, you could use a NI 987x to communicate via serial. 

If you were thinking of using the NI modules as a drive for the motor, this won't be possible either.You say your motors require 2.5A but the most the NI 9265 will be able to output is 20m. 

As for the load cell, it looks like you're going to need to power the amplifer externally, which make it a non-differential signal that you are trying to read. The 9219 only read differential signals, so you probably want to consider using a NI 920x or a 9221. To connect the signal from the amplifier to one of these modules, the signal wire should go to one of the AI channels and the ground to the COM terminal.