STEPPER CONTROLLER

Motion Controllers for Stepper or Servo Applications

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STEPPER DRIVE

STEPPER AMP

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The VMC-2000 Motion Controllers are ideal for stepper or servo applications that require a cost effective multi-axis solution.

 The VMC-2000 series motion controllers are perfect for both open and closed loop servo and stepper applications. These full-length PCI form factor boards come standard with either 4 axes (VMC-2400) or 8 axes (VMC-2800) of motion. Using industry standard VHDCI connectors, all I/O signals connect though the front of the board. 

VMC-2000 versus the Motion Engineering XMP-PCI

 The VMC-2000 series is form, fit, and functionally compatible with Motion Engineering's (MEI^®) XMP-PCI motion controller. Our board was designed as a drop in replacement for the XMP-PCI, but with added features such as 3.3 volt PCI compatibility.  While our software interface is slightly different, we maintain all of the same functions as the XMP. Only slight modifications are needed to your code to be compatible with our motion library.

VMC-2000 Features

 Each of the 4 or 8 axis has a dedicated high speed DSP for handling servo control, step output, encoder feedback, and dedicated axis I/O. This means there is no loss of performance when using multiple axes at once.

 The card is easily programmed to perform complex motion profiles using the included C language libraries. Windows software drivers are included for Windows 98, Windows XP and Windows 2000. A demo application is also provided to allow immediate testing of the card.

 Each axis provides dedicated outputs for step, direction, and amp enable. Two high speed 12 bit analog outputs (+/-10vdc single ended or +/-20vdc differential) are provided by each axis for servo or D/A control. 

 Each axis provides dedicated optically isolated inputs for home, limits, and amp fault. Each axis has a dedicated quadrature encoder input that can handle speeds up to 10MHz. A high speed capture input can be programmed to capture encoder position from either the encoder index, home input or the limit inputs.

 In addition, there are 8 user programmable I/O pins as well as ESTOP and RESET inputs. 

 All I/O is buffered using either optical isolation or differential line drivers/receivers.

VMC-2000 High Density Connectors

High density 68 pin VHDCI connectors allow all signals to exit the card without the need for internal wiring in the PC chassis. The pin-out for the connectors is based on the XMP-PCI motion card and is 100% backwards compatible.

VMC-2000 Feature Summary

The VMC-2000 comes standard with the following features:

• 4 axes (VMC-2400) or 8 axes (VMC-2800)

• DSP based using the latest digital technology

• Conforms to PCI Specification Revision 2.2 for 3.3 volt signaling

• Windows 98, XP, NT, 2000 drivers 

• Servo and/or stepper control using pulse and direction commands

• 16 channels of 12-bit D/A for servo control.

• Step rates from 1 Hz to 2 MHz; perfect for micro-stepping applications

• S-Curve, Parabolic or Linear ramp profiles with programmable rates

• Accurate accel/decel ramps eliminate hunting at end of move

• Open loop or Closed loop control via Quadrature Encoders

• LED status indicators for each axis

• Field upgradeable flash memory

• Example programs included