MN1957
Operation 5-9
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5.4 Configuring an axis
The NextMove ESB-2 is capable of controlling 4 servo and 4 stepper axes. This section
describes how to configure both types of axis.
5.4.1 Selecting the axis type
An axis can be configured as either a servo axis or a stepper axis. The factory preset
configuration sets all axes as unassigned (off), so it is necessary to configure an axis as
either stepper or servo before it can be used. The number of servo and stepper hardware
channels defines how many axes of each type may be configured. In the following example,
the Mint WorkBench Axis Config Wizard will be used to assign axes:
1. In the Toolbox, click the Axis Config icon.
2. For each required axis, click in the
Configuration column and select Servo
or Stepper from the drop down box.
The Axis Config Wizard automatically
assigns a Hardware Channel to the axis.
For example, Servo Channel 0 indicates
the servo axis will use the controller's
Demand0 output; Stepper Channel 1
indicates the stepper axis will use the
controller's STEP1 and DIR1 outputs. Optionally, the default hardware channel
assignment can be altered by clicking in the Hardware Channel column and choosing an
alternative channel. This means the axis will no longer use the correspondingly
numbered physical outputs (Demand
x
or STEP
x
& DIR
x
), so extra care must be taken
when connecting the NextMove ESB-2 to drive amplifiers.
3. Click
Finish
to complete the Axis Config
Wizard. The axis configuration will be
downloaded to the NextMove ESB-2.
Note:
If a "Hardware channel required is in use" or "Hardware not available" error
message is displayed, the configuration is not downloaded. It is likely that the
number of selected servo or stepper axes exceeds the number of physical axes
of that type available on the NextMove ESB-2. An error is also caused if the
same hardware channel has been selected for more than one servo axis, or for
more than one stepper axis.
It is recommended that unused axes are always set to OFF, as this provides more
processing time for the axes that are in use. Setting an axis to Virtual means that it can be
used to simulate motion within the controller, but uses no physical outputs (hardware
channel).
See the Mint help file for details of the
CONFIG
and
AXISCHANNEL
keywords.
Servo Systems Co. • 115 Main Road • P.O. Box 97 • Montville, NJ,
07045-0097 • (973) 335-1007 • Toll Free: (800) 922-1103
Fax: (973) 335-1661 • www.servosystems.com