Select a Step ......................................................... REQUIREMENTS AND SAFETY Introduction Required Materials Safety Precautions Hardware Requirements and Installation FAQs for Motion Console ––––––––––––––––––––––– MOTION CONSOLE Object-oriented Motion Control Motion Console Objects Motion Console User Interface – Main Motion Console Frame – Adding a New Controller – Object Summary Windows – Object Explorer – Object List Configuration Dialog Boxes Configuring New Systems with Motion Console – Getting Started with Motion Console – Saving Parameter Settings – Associating Objects with Motion Console – Configuring a Motion Supervisor – Mapping One Object to Another – Removing (Deleting) a Mapped Object – Safety Reminders Motion Console Objects – Controller Object – Motion Supervisor Object – Axis Object – Filter Object – Motor Object – SynqNet Object – SqNode Object – I/O Object Command Line Options Reading Versions with Motion Console Troubleshooting

Safety Reminders

As you map out your motion control system using the Object Explorer, you must address specific safety factors. These should be addressed BEFORE you mechanically engage motors to axes, and connect motion hardware to the controller.

Establish a Safety Zone

If you have not already done so, define a safety zone around the motion system to be configured. Areas traversed by hardware should be clearly marked and/or partitioned to keep out personnel, hands, fingers, etc. Warning signs and labels should be clearly posted.

Mount an Emergency Off Switch

At least one emergency off (EMO) switch should be prominently mounted where operators and technicians can easily locate and reach it at all times. Depending upon your system, the EMO should effect a rapid and safe stop of all components, preferably wired through the power lines of the system components themselves. Consider using automatic mechanical braking where heavy and/or fast components might coast dangerously after the loss of a controller.

Wire all Drive Amplifiers for Fail Safe Operation

The wiring of your system's drive amplifiers is a critical design detail and is discussed in the XMP Hardware Installation Manual. As part of your design, you must decide whether to wire the drive's amplifier enable (Amp En) line as "active high" or "active low." Regardless of the method used, ensure that your motion system cannot run away when power to the controller is lost. Design for the worst possible power loss scenario, then ask yourself: "Is this machine safe with power to the controller turned off?" Amplifier enabling should be tested in crude hardware fashion before the system is either mechanically coupled or connected to an XMP controller. Once hardware wiring has been tested for fail-safe design, proceed to the configuration of Motor Summary / General Configuration attributes (see below).

Configure Motor Summary / General Configuration Attributes

Attributes in the Motor Summary / Config tab page configure both motors and feedback. Of particular importance to safety are the following:

Amp Enable Feedback Phase Feedback Type Amp Disable Delay Brake Mode Brake Apply Delay Brake Release Delay Fault Config

Each of these attributes are described in a separate section of this chapter.

Feedback Phase affect the safety of your system by telling the controller which way an axis is moving. If feedback attributes are set wrong, you may experience runaway problems.

Warning!
Attributes in the Demand tab allow you to configure the demand mode and demand offsets.  The demand offsets will command an open-loop Torque or Velocity directly to the drive, causing the motor to spin in one direction.  Make certain an open-loop demand to a drive/motor will not cause damage to equipment or people BEFORE changing these values.

Configure Motion Supervisor Summary / General Configuration Attributes

Attributes in the Motion Supervisor Summary / Config tab page include those used to configure a motion system's panic actions. These tell the controller what to do when an error or panic stop command is encountered. If they are not correctly configured, your controller may ignore an operator's command to stop! Attributes include the following:

Stop Time E-Stop Time Normal Feedrate Panic Action

The Panic Action parameter is of particular importance. When switched to None, the controller will take no action after panic events! Please note that the <F12> panic stop key generates a panic action for all Motion Supervisors, according to how Panic Action is configured.