Software provides motion control prototyping.
Press Release Summary:
With Motion Assistant v1.2, users can interactively prototype motion control applications and convert projects to C source code or LabVIEW virtual instruments. Graphical, point-and-click interface with 3D-visualization capabilities helps create motion control applications using stepper, servo, and piezo actuators. Smart contouring gives users ability to redesign user-defined trajectory based on desired move constraints while preserving move geometry.
Original Press Release:
New NI Motion Prototyping Software Instantly Converts to LabVIEW and C Code
National Instruments Motion Assistant Delivers Smart Contouring Functionality for Profile-Cutting Applications
Jan. 25, 2005 - Machine builders and OEMs now can use National Instruments Motion Assistant Version 1.2 to interactively prototype motion control applications and convert their projects into ready-to-run code in C or NI LabVIEW. NI Motion Assistant features a graphical, point-and-click interface with 3D-visualization capabilities for creating powerful motion control applications using stepper, servo and piezo actuators. With the software's new smart contouring functionality, machine builders and OEMs now can improve the performance of profile-cutting machinery for wood-working, metal-working and foam-cutting applications.
In addition to the LabVIEW graphical development environment, Motion Assistant 1.2 now enhances C development environments such as NI LabWindows/CVI and Microsoft Visual C++ with an easy-to-use, interactive motion control environment and 3D visualization capabilities. Machine builders and OEMs can convert their Motion Assistant projects to C source code or LabVIEW virtual instruments (VIs) that they can later modify to integrate logic, process or vision functionality. With the software, they can easily perform blending, fully coordinated circular and linear interpolation, electronic gearing and vector-space control.
Motion Assistant 1.2 now offers advanced features such as smart contouring, which gives machine builders and OEMs the ability to redesign a user-defined trajectory based on their desired move constraints while preserving move geometry. They now can easily implement trapezoidal or S-curve velocity profiles for moves with complex geometry, which helps to minimize jitter on mechanical components and increase machine life. This new capability is ideal for profile-cutting applications where engineers must continuously set up machines to trace different contours.
Engineers can download a new, fully functional evaluation version of NI Motion Assistant 1.2 at www.ni.com/motion to explore the software's latest features. With the new evaluation software, engineers can use code-generation functions to convert their motion control projects to LabVIEW or C code.
About National Instruments
National Instruments (www.ni.com) is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation - a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging the PC and its related technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs through easy-to-integrate software, such as the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment, and modular hardware, such as PXI modules for data acquisition, instrument control and machine vision. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,100 employees and direct operations in 41 countries. In 2003, the company sold products to more than 25,000 companies in 90 countries. For the past six years, FORTUNE magazine named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.
Pricing and Contact Information
NI Motion Assistant 1.2
Priced from $795
Web: www.ni.com/motion
E-mail: info@ni.com
