Introduction
This
section describes how to configure a new motion control system
using Motion Console. If you are new to Motion Console, you
should read this section first, then proceed to the other sections
in this manual.
Getting
Started with Motion Console
Motion
Console is a utility designed to assist software and hardware
designers with MEI motion controllers. There are two major releases
of Motion Console: one for the XMP Series motion controllers,
and another, older release for DSP Series motion controllers.
This section discusses only the XMP version of Motion Console;
the DSP release is outlined in separate documents available
from MEI.
What
is Motion Console?
Briefly
stated, Motion Console is a software interface linking the
programmer to your MEI motion controller. It gives you the
ability to perform simple motions with hardware and verify
that controller-hardware wiring is working properly. Motion
Console is NOT a software authoring tool. It does not compile
programs or check code. However, using Motion Console alongside
a line editor and compiler will allow you to quickly troubleshoot
programs and determine whether problems lie in hardware or
software. Motion Console also provides a quick way to demonstrate
the full range of mechanical movement in your system, so that
you may perfect hardware designs while software is still being
developed.
What
is Motion Scope?
Another
MEI utility, separate from Motion Console, is Motion Scope.
Motion Scope provides a virtual "oscilloscope" to
plot the movements of your motion system. Using Motion Scope
in conjunction with Motion Console allows you to command and
plot the movement of any axis. Motion Scope is described separately
in this manual, in Chapter 3.
First
Things First: Safety
Before
configuring your system, you must consider the safety aspects
of your motion control system. Such configurations as "amplifier
enabling" impact every movement that your system makes,
and dramatically redefine the degree of safety. Specifically,
the following safety issues must be addressed when configuring
new systems:
- What
hazards are posed by your motion control system to personnel
and material? Has a safety zone been established to exclude
personnel, their hands and fingers, etc. from dangerous
spaces? Are warnings posted to alert personnel when and
where hardware is in motion?
- Are
safety interlocks in place to automatically protect personnel
from exposed high voltage and mechanical movements? Are
emergency switches in place to perform instant, electro-mechanical
shut-downs when needed?
- How
will your drive amplifiers be wired? Are they wired in a
fail-safe mode which leaves your system safe when power
is suddenly or unexpectedly lost? (See the Hardware
Manual for details regarding amplifier enabling.)
Designers
of new systems are sometimes tempted to rush and ignore basic
safety issues; however, safety is integral to your system's
usability. If you design your system with safety in mind from
the beginning, you will alleviate major hardware and software
design problems later, saving valuable lives and time.