Posted to News on 19th Jun 2008, 09:23
Software simplifies optimisation of motion profiles
Aerotech's new Motion Designer software provides an easy-to-use graphical user interface for generating and analysing motion trajectories and also improving the performance of complex motion profiles. The software greatly simplifies trajectory programming and reduces development time where an exact motion profile, simulating a dynamic environment or real-world conditions, needs to be generated. Furthermore, applications requiring optimal performance can also benefit from the detailed motion analysis tools and iterative learning control algorithms that reduce following error and cycle times over multiple runs.
Designed for use with Aerotech's wide range of motion controls, the software is aimed at test and development applications for motion and movement measuring components such as inertial sensors, gyros, accelerometers and tracking systems. It will also be of interest where enhanced performance and optimised production throughput are required.
Motion Designer can generate or import trajectories as position, velocity, acceleration and time profile points, then download them as AeroBASIC PVT commands to the motion controller - and then run and evaluate the results. Waveform tools are also available that may be combined as building blocks before conversion to AeroBASIC commands. If a real motion trajectory can be measured, the software is able to interpret and convert it to actual PVT commands for rotary or linear motion simulation. A number of input file formats are supported including, Excel, CSV and Matlab. Motion Designer can also handle partial trajectory information - such as position vs time or acceleration vs time - and calculate the other state variables.
Save time, simplify programming
When compared to high-level program development, which typically requires hours of code generation and debugging, the software saves time and simplifies programming. A complete range of plotting tools in time or frequency domain are available for detailed motion evaluation, and data analysis can include Fast Fourier Transforms (FFT), max, min and average rms, and standard deviation from an existing trajectory, with the ability to overlap multiple trajectory runs to see precisely how program changes modify the motion and influence performance.
Motion Designer can be used with Aerotech's PC-based A3200 Automation Platform motion and machine control system as well as with the multi-axis Ensemble or single-axis Soloist motion controllers. The software-only A3200 uses the power of the PC to provide up to 32 axes of fully deterministic IEE-1394 Firewire-synchronised motion and machine control with additional modules for IEC 61131 PLC and HMI. The Ensemble standalone motion controller can provide up to ten axes of tightly co-ordinated 10/100 Base T Ethernet or USB networked motion control for high-performance positioning applications. The Soloist is a complete single-axis servo control system including motion control and amplifier in a single package with network connectivity with TCP/IP, USB, Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP..
All Aerotech motion controllers are programmable in native RS-274 G-code, AeroBASIC, C, .NET or LABview for complete application flexibility. Motion capabilities include point-to-point, linear, circular, helical and spherical interpolation with velocity profiling, electronic gearing and on-the-fly trajectory modification. A complete range of drive technologies is available, including PWM and linear amplifiers for servo and stepper motors, to match price and performance requirements from high-speed/high-throughput production to sub-micron and nanoscale positioning.
For more information, visit www.aerotech.com/products/controllers/motion_designer.html.
