Software simulates complex motion
An
Aerotech product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jun 17, 2008
Detailed motion analysis tools and iterative learning control algorithms reduce following error and cycle times over multiple runs.
Aerotech's 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 simplifies trajectory programming and reduces development time where an exact motion profile needs to be generated, simulating a dynamic environment or real-world conditions.
Detailed motion analysis tools and iterative learning control algorithms reduce following error and cycle times over multiple runs.
For use with Aerotech's wide range of motion controls, the add-on software is aimed at test and development applications for motion and movement measuring components such as inertial sensors, gyros, accelerometers and tracking systems.
Motion Designer software 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.
A number of waveform tools are also available which 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 versus time or acceleration versus time and calculate the other state variables.
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 domains are available for detailed motion evaluation.
Data analysis can include fast fourier transforms (FFT), maximum, minimum and average RMS and standard deviation from an existing trajectory, with the ability to overlap multiple trajectory runs to see precisely how program changes modifu 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 multiaxis Ensemble or single-axis Soloist motion controllers.
The software-only A3200 provides 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 10 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 networkconnectivity with TCP/IP, USB, Allen Bradley 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 include 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.
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Contact Aerotech
Tel +44 118 940 9400
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