Nstep is a two- or four-axis stepper controller that interfaces
with any standard stepper drive via clock and direction inputs.
Motion can be coordinated with other axes, even non-stepper axes,
to produce contoured motion.
Nstep is used with Aerotech’s Automation 3200 motion, vision,
PLC, robotics, and I/O platform. The Automation 3200 system is
a software-based control architecture coupled to digital drives
through a FireWire® network. As with any axis under A3200
control, Nstep receives commands via FireWire®, minimizing
the wiring effort, and automatically reports all state, diagnostic,
and I/O information back to the A3200.
Nstep can be used in multi-axis systems where a few ancillary
axes require stepper motor controllers that are either sequenced
or coordinated with the servo axes of the system. Nstep also can
be used as the main controller for a completely stepper-based
system. This flexibility provides the user with the ability to
control all axes on the system (servo or stepper motor) with one
motion controller.
Additionally, tighter integration of all diverse axes results
in less integration work, thereby shortening the development and
deployment time. This tight integration enables seamless access
within one interface to all axis information, including motion-state
variables, fault information, and drive status information.
Programming can be done in the same environment using AeroBasicTM
or RS-274 (G and M code). Additionally, all I/O and parameters
are centralized on the A3200 with other axes. All this reduces
the complexity of integrating stepper axes into a larger system.
Encoder feedback with verification, I/O inputs, and screw terminals
for electrical connections are standard.
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