• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Motion Control Tips

Automation • Motion Control • Power Transmission

  • News
    • Industry News
    • Editor Blogs
    • Video
  • Controls
    • HMIs
    • PC-Based Controllers
    • PLCs + PACs
    • Stand-Alone Controllers
    • Software
  • Drives
    • Servo Drives
    • Stepper Drives
  • Encoders
    • Absolute Encoders
    • Incremental Encoders
    • Rotary Encoders
  • Mechanical
    • Bearings
    • Brakes + Clutches
    • Belt + chain
    • Couplings
    • Gears + Gearing
    • Lubrication
    • Shock + Vibration Mitigation
    • Springs + Rings + Seals
  • Linear
    • Actuators
    • Linear Motors
    • Linear Encoders
  • Motors
    • AC Motors
    • DC Motors
    • Brushless Motors
    • Gearmotors
    • Piezo Motors
    • Servo Motors
    • Stepper Motors
  • Systems
    • Conveyors + linear transport systems
    • Gantries + Stages
    • Rotary Tables
    • Grippers + End Effectors
    • Robotics
  • Networks
    • Connections + Sliprings
    • Fieldbuses
    • I/O
    • Sensors + Vision
  • FAQs
    • Motion Casebook
    • Motion Selection Guides
  • Suppliers
You are here: Home / FAQs + basics / How to program a motion controller?

How to program a motion controller?

July 24, 2018 By Miles Budimir Leave a Comment

Programming a motion controller is the act of giving a controller the instructions to complete some motion task. The task could be as simple as controlling a single-axis actuator to move a short distance and back again. Or it could be controlling and coordinating the movement of a complex, interconnected multi-axis motion system such as in an assembly line or some kind of manufacturing process. In either case, a set of instructions is needed for the controller to execute some action.

Manufacturers of motion controllers provide some way for users to program their devices. This usually takes the shape of some type of graphical user interface (GUI), sometimes integrated with other automation software. The interface lets users write and edit control programs as well as monitor progress of an operation. Options for programming include visual techniques such as a drag-and-drop method from a menu of options or writing programs in Visual Basic, C, C++ or other languages.

A motion control programming suite such as National Instruments’ Motion Assistant lets programmers prototype an application then convert the program into a LabVIEW VI or C code for further development.

The GUI can be as simple as a few buttons on a controller or a more standard basic keyboard. For extremely simple and uncomplicated applications, some controllers allow programming right on the controller itself via buttons or an interactive touchscreen. Stand-alone or rack-mountable motion controllers often have keypad entry where users can program the controller in this way. Another common method is via computer and keyboard.

Many companies have motion APIs (application programming interface) that let designers program controllers. They can also feature sample programs along with libraries of functions and other tools for diagnostics and tuning.

PLC-based motion control has also become more common. Here, programming is via industry defined standards such as IEC 61131 (PLCopen) which takes advantage of existing programming methods that many engineers are already familiar with such as ladder logic diagrams and function blocks diagrams.

 

You may also like:

  • controller
    What type of graphical user interface do PC-based controllers use?
  • programmable automation controller
    When to use a programmable automation controller (PAC)

  • Connectivity and IoT expand control design functionality (a Motion Trends…
  • motion control
    Control software from ACS Motion Control reduces development time

Filed Under: FAQs + basics

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

POWER TRANSMISSION REFERENCE GUIDE

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion
Subscribe Today

RSS Featured White Papers

  • Specifying electric rodless actuators: Ten tips for maximizing actuator life and system performance
  • The truth about actuator life: Screw drive survival
  • Top Ten Tips: How to specify electric rod-style actuators for optimal performance, reliability and efficiency

Footer

Motion Control Tips

DESIGN WORLD NETWORK

Design World Online
The Robot Report
Coupling Tips
Linear Motion Tips
Bearing Tips
Fastener Engineering.

MOTION CONTROL TIPS

Subscribe to our newsletter
Advertise with us
Contact us
About us
Follow us on TwitterAdd us on FacebookAdd us on LinkedInAdd us on YouTubeAdd us on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy | RSS