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<== Date ==> <== Thread ==>

Subject: Re: Stepper Motor Controllers
From: Zenon Szalata <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:07:06 -0700
For some projects here at SLAC we are using Beckhoff Stepper Motor Control hardware. Beckhoff devices are rather inexpensive and are very robust. We find them ideal for controlling simple (dumb motors). The software does not use the Motor Record. It is written as a few C++ classes, some derived from the asynPortDriver class written by Mark Rivers. The class that does the IO to the device is a customized version of the asyn modbus support module. We are also using the Newport XPS. However for new installations we are leaning towards using the Beckhoff solution.
Zen

On 07/10/15 07:52, Mark Davis wrote:
Hi all,

I am currently in the process of reviewing the capabilities of DC Stepper Motor Controller/Drivers and was wondering what other labs are currently using and what they like/dislike about them.

I have read Matthew Pearson's summary from 8/2010 regarding the Delta Tau VME Turbo PMAC 2, Delta Tau Geobrick LVM, Newport XPS.

From his description, I assume the Delta Tau Geobrick LV is a significantly different device (at least physically) than the Geobrick LVM. At the very least LV is MUCH smaller (15.4" x 4" x 7.2"). It is still a PMAC2 based controller, but they make a point of the elimination of analog signaling:

"The absence of analog signals – required for typical motion controller/drive interfacing – enables higher gains, better overall performance and tighter integration, while significantly decreasing costs and setup time."

This may explain how they managed to make it so much smaller the the LVM model (which, as near as I can tell, they no longer make). It might also help avoid the noise problem that Matthew mentioned regarding the LVM model.

From reading various other Tech-talk postings my impression is that the Delta Tau PMAC controllers are very capable, but complex and require a lot of effort to get set up correctly. However, that may be mitigated to some extent by using the synApps tpmac module (and BNL's page regarding setup and configuration).

What other controllers are being used? What are the advantages, disadvantages, and problems that have been encountered?

Mark Davis
NSCL/FRIB
[email protected]






References:
Stepper Motor Controllers Mark Davis

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