Galil DMC-3425 user manual Command Basics, Command Syntax - ASCII, Introduction

Chapter 5 Command Basics

Introduction

The DMC-3425 provides over 100 commands for specifying motion and machine parameters. Commands are included to initiate action, interrogate status and configure the digital filter. These commands can be sent in ASCII or binary.

In ASCII, the DMC-3425 instruction set is BASIC-like and easy to use. Instructions consist of two uppercase letters that correspond phonetically with the appropriate function. For example, the instruction BG begins motion, and ST stops the motion. In binary, commands are represented by a binary code ranging from 80 to FF.

ASCII commands can be sent "live" over the bus for immediate execution by the DMC-3425, or an entire group of commands can be downloaded into the DMC-3425 memory for execution at a later time. Combining commands into groups for later execution is referred to as Applications Programming and is discussed in the following chapter. Binary commands cannot be used in Applications programming.

This section describes the DMC-3425 instruction set and syntax. A summary of commands as well as a complete listing of all DMC-3425 instructions is included in the Command Reference chapter.

Command Syntax - ASCII

DMC-3425 instructions are represented by two ASCII upper case characters followed by applicable arguments. A space may be inserted between the instruction and arguments. A semicolon or <return> is used to terminate the instruction for processing by the DMC-3425 command interpreter.

NOTE: If you are using a Galil terminal program, commands will not be processed until a <return> command is given. This allows the user to separate many commands on a single line and not begin execution until the user gives the <return> command.

IMPORTANT: All DMC-3425 commands are sent in upper case.

For example, the command

PR 4000 <return> Position relative

DMC-3425 Chapter 5 Command Basics• 59