04-04-2014 10:04 AM
Hi,
I have been playing with SoftMotion module for a while. I have few questions that I hope you can assist me in:
Thanks for your assisatnce in advance.
Solved! Go to Solution.
04-07-2014 04:30 PM
1. The units are configured by right-clicking on the SoftMotion Axis in the project window and selecting Properites. The Units configuration field is found on the encoder page.
2. There's a white paper at the following link where you can find general information on using SoftMotion with solid works: http://www.ni.com/white-paper/9566/en/
However, it doesn't contain specifics on configuring SolidWorks for SoftMotion. I'll have to look into this some more and get back to you.
3. What kind of sensors are you referring to? Limit and home switches? Or motor encoders?
4. There is an FPGA VI titled PID Motor Control. You can find more information about this VI at the following link: http://zone.ni.com/reference/en-XX/help/371093M-01/nimclvfb/controlip.pid.motorcontrol_00b20003/
-Mike
04-14-2014 08:34 AM
Thanks Mike for your response.
I was looking for performing PID control on simple machine in single axis. I was considering both analog sensors (linear distance or angle). I was aiaming to tune PID with the aid of LabVIEW CDS module.
I recall reading an old white paper FAQs stated that SoftMotion sends the trajectory path to Solidworks engine and therefore it can not be used to perform PID control scenario. Also read that Softmotion supports only alerts from analog sensors not analog values itself. It was in 2011 I guess. Any updates regrading both points?
04-15-2014 05:47 PM
Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of formal documentation on using SolidWorks with SoftMotion. I don't have any updates for you yet, but I was able to get access to a test machine, which I'll spend some time with during the next couple of days. Do you have any idea where that FAQ is that you mentioned?
-Mike
04-16-2014 10:44 AM
04-17-2014 04:05 PM
After speaking with someone from R&D, I've learned that SoftMotion's interaction with SolidWorks is meant for visual representation. It's not intended for real-world simulations as you're looking to use it. That said, I won't be able to give you more insight as to how to configure SolidWorks so that it represents real-world conditions.
To answer your question about analog sensors, none of our motion crads accept analog inputs. But, if the alerts you mentioned that you receive from the sensors are digital, then you could use those.
-Mike