Custom motion controllers

National Instruments has released the latest version of the SoftMotion Development Module for LabVIEW, the software that empowers machine builders and original equipment manufacturers to create customised motion controllers using software and deploy them for any NI hardware platform.

OEMs and machine builders can use a range of pre-built motion functions and control algorithms to create motion controllers based on specific application requirements as well as price and performance needs.

The SoftMotion Development Module 2.0 expands this flexible environment to stepper motor control and adds support for the Windows Vista and NI CompactRIO controllers for high-performance motion control.

The module is suitable for applications that require high speed or custom control such as drilling, semiconductor processes, microelectromechanical system processes and inline vehicle sequencing by car makers.

Machine builders and OEMs can use the module to create custom motion controllers with control algorithms such as fuzzy logic or model-based control for better machine performance.

Combined with the LabVIEW FPGA technology in CompactRIO modules and R Series data acquisition devices, they implement PID loop rates of up to 200 kHz.

With these faster loop rates, researchers gain more precise control to build finer materials. They can also adapt more quickly to changes, leading to more efficient machines.

Researchers can use the module to develop and prototype control design algorithms for motion control.

The software includes functions for trajectory generation, spline interpolation, position and velocity PID control and encoder implementation on the LabVIEW Real-Time Module and/or the LabVIEW FPGA Module.