controlling a stepper motor

[Thabos]

I have to control a stepper motor and have to move in both directions and feedback the number of steps it have move.I donot have an idea of the motion controller and drives to use. I have to use a stand-alone since the stepper should rotate even if the computer is down. Please help me, I have no experience on stepper motor control with labVIEW.

[Sherrie R.]

Hi, 007129,

I'd recommend starting by taking a look at the NI-Motion Hardware page.

In terms of drives, you will see that NI has the MID-7602/4 drives for Stepper Motors.

The controller selection will be a little more complicated based on the fact that it needs to be "stand alone".  The PCI controller cards probably would not suit the application, because if the computer is down, they will be down as well.  I would take a look at using the PXI based motion controller cards. 

You can also get help with selecting a product from NI - (888) 280-7645

Thanks,

Sherrie R
Applications Engineer
National Instruments

[Thabos]

Hi Sherrie R

Thanks you for the help tutorials you suggested for me. I have decided to use:

conteroller: NI PXI-7344

stepper motor type: 86621-07B00

encoder:  shaft encoder

[Thabos]

Hi Sherrie R

Sorry, I made a mistake.Thanks you for the help tutorials you suggested for me. I have decided to use:

controller: NI PXI-7344

stepper motor type: 86621-07B00

encoder:  shaft encoder (model No. VNB11-13p1)

so I want to know whether is it possible to control that motor with that controller? the encoder output the digital feedback, so can it be able to communicate with that controller?

Thanks!

[Vivek_N]

Hello 007129,

I have posted a reply to your question in your other discussion forum post. Here is a link to it:

http://forums.ni.com/ni/board/message?board.id=240&message.id=6032&jump=true#M6032

[Thabos]

Hi

I also have to control the stepper motor in a closed loop connection. The stepeper motors are going to be used to move the shielding to three different positions, so I'm looking for an encoder which can feedback the current position of the stepper motor, so that I can be able to determine how many steps to the next position. I haven't used encoders so I donot know much about encoders.

pls help!!

[Sherrie R.]

Hi Thabos,

National Instruments motion control products interface with quadrature encoders.  A great resource on encoders for working with the PXI-7344 is the User Manual, which I have linked below. 

National Instruments 7340 User Manual
http://www.ni.com/pdf/manuals/370838a.pdf

You can search the document for references to "encoder" and the main section on encoders starts on page 5-7.  This will also explain some about how encoders work, which will be useful to you choose an encoder and as you set up your system. 

Thanks,

Sherrie R.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments