Hi all,
After some research, I found a good Softmotion alternative: it is the motion control with the Beckhoff system. All you need is a Windows machine that is acting then as the EtherCat Master and is connected to the servodrives/axes. The software provided by Beckhoff is Twincat and it is running under Windows, but executing real-time. Beckhoff is also providing the Labview Interface that is working very good.
You can setup your complete motion application with Twincat similar to the properties like it was in NI MAX with the Motion Card.
The only additional thing is that you have to write some PLC-code (Ladder logic or Code) in order to put in place the motion control and motion commands. With the labview interface you can then read and write the variables that are linked to the PLC-commands you need. In theory it is possible to replace all the motion palette that was used in Labview.
What is nice with the Beckhoff system that you don't need new hardware and you can reuse your existing PC or PXI. The only thing is to implement the PLC-code and write the proper VI-palette that are reading/writing the variables for a specific motion command.
Has anybody of you already experience with this and can provide some help or advice?
Thank you very much.
Regards
Marc
