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VXM Stepping Motor Controller Driver

Hello All, 

 

It's my first time to write in this forum. I am a new with using LabVIEW and very optimistic to get  assistance.

I am trying to controll a stepping motor controller (VXM-1 Model) with Labview, which is moving a Velmex Unislide. I need help to do a code LabVIEW that control VXM-1 Model and measure the displacement of a Velmex Unislide. How could you help me out ?. 

Please be advised that I am using LabView 2010 and Windows XP. 

I am looking foeward to hearing from you.

 

Thanks for any assistance in advance. 

 

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Hi Ramda,

 

It looks like this controller/drive has it's own proprietary command set, and takes those commands over an RS-232 serial bus.  Therefore, you'll need to use the NI-VISA driver (version 5.4.1, as shown here) to send commands over the serial port.  I found the Users Manual for the VXM here: http://www.bislide.com/controls/vxm/downloads/documentation/users_manual/vxm2_users_man.pdf.  The command set is listed there.

 

For an example of getting started with using VISA to send serial commands, take a look at the VISA examples available in the NI example finder.

 

I hope that helps!

Cody A.
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Hi tAkinscareofbusiness, 

 

Thank you so much for replying me. First of all, I am using NI-VISA driver (version 5.0.3) , should I upgrade it or it is ok to use that one ? . 

Secondely, I get confiused about  the User Manual For VXM and I don't hounstely understand how I can send commands over the serial port. Also, I do not know where I can start coding .

 

Thanks  

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Using VISA 5.0.3 is fine, but upgrading couldn't hurt.

 

In terms of where to start programming.  I would recommend taking a look at the "Simple Serial" example VI under Hardware Input and Output>>Serial in the example finder.  You'll need to change the "*IDN?/n" command to something that the controller is actually expecting.  It looks like the VXM can be given commands in "interactive" mode, in which you send a command and the controller immediately executes that command, or in "standalone" mode, in which you define a command script, download that script to the device, then the script is executed without any further host interaction.  These two differences are explained on pages 8-9 of the user manual.

 

The command set is explained there as well.  A couple important notes from that manual:

 

  • "The standard RS-232 communication settings on the VXM are 9600 baud, 8 data, no parity, and 1 stop bit."
  • "When sending commands that require a value, the commands must end with a carriage return (Enter key or Return on most keyboards), comma, or a period."

 

There are control examples given starting on page 26 of the user manual.

Cody A.
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