Get updates!MDrive / MForce
- Upgrading Ethernet Controller firmware
Instructions on upgrading the Ethernet controller firmware for the MDrivePlus and MDrive Hybrid Motion Control units eqquipped with Ethernet.
- Connecting RS-422 in Party Mode
Connecting RS-422 in party mode can be fraught with issues. Following a few simple best practices can save a good deal of time troubleshooting.
- MDrive Linear Actuator products
- Transitioning to MDrivePlus from Legacy MDrive
- Electrically isolated MDrivePlus and MForce comm converters
- Unwanted circulating currents in RS-422 multi-drop systems
- Stepper vs. pneumatic applications
- Motion Control units "stuck" in Party mode or Checksum mode
IMS has determined that potential ground loops could be introduced in MD-CC400-000 and MD-CC300-000 cables used with MDrivePlus and MForce products, and has released electrically isolated Communication Converters to improve field reliability.
MDrive Motion Control (MDI) and MForce Motion Control (MFI) units, when used in the Party Mode
(RS422/485 Multidrop) may have unwanted circulating currents in the common wire of
the communication port. These unwanted currents may cause hardware failures or
communication errors.
Pneumatic cylinders are frequently used for simple stroke limited or cut-to-length applications because of low cost and simplicity. Air cylinders may sometimes be an acceptable solution, but they are not always the best.
At times a Motion Control MDrive will fail to respond to serial communications because it has been set to work in party mode, checksum mode, or both. A simple solution is to issue a string to the driver that will result in resetting it to factory defaults.
MicroLYNX
- MicroLYNX user units (MUNIT and EUNIT) explained
- Motion commands used in a program
- MicroLYNX analog joystick
- MicroLYNX Party mode
- Trip point
One of the powerful features of the MicroLYNX is the ability to convert motor or encoder steps to user units to easily input units of rotary or linear distance.
The most likely use of a stepper motor Controller is to interface inputs/outputs with some desired motion. The system operation would then be stored as a program in the Controllers non-volatile memory. This allows the Controller to operate in a program mode where no user interface is needed to enter the commands.
This example demonstrates set up and use of the MicroLYNX Joystick module.
When a unit has been put into Party Mode, all communications require a Ctrl J (linefeed) to clear the buffer and act as an end of line delineator. Communications then must begin with the desired unit's device name.
The customer did not want the linear actuator to ever exceed a determined distance which equated to 2000 steps. Using the trip command "T", we set the trip point. Then, moving the
actuator at a constant velocity using the "M" command, we looped on one of the general
purpose inputs until the sensor detected the wheel-well.