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6.3 Configuring an axis
The NextMove ES is capable of controlling 4 stepper and 2 servo axes. This section describes how to configure both types of axis.
6.3.1 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 WorkBench v5 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 (Demandx or STEPx & DIRx), so extra care must be taken when connecting the NextMove ES to drive amplifiers.
3.Click Finish to complete the Axis Config Wizard. The axis configuration will be downloaded to the NextMove ES.
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 ES. 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 MintMT help file for details of the CONFIG and AXISCHANNEL keywords.
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