Stepper output mode appears to be 'stuck'

[caswell]

Hi,

I'm using a PCI-7334 motion control card on a Windows 2000 machine (and Labview 6.1), and despite using the Measurement & Automation Explorer to ensure the stepper output mode is set to step and direction, axis 1 appears to operating in clockwise/counterclockwise mode. Putting a scope on the output at the interface seems to confirm this. As does the indicators in MAX when setting the axis to cycle between two positions (it only steps in one direction, and  at half the rate one would expect). The other axes are operating as expected. I've put the card in a different PCI slot, reinitialized to default values, and used a different cable out of the card. Any idea why this could be happening and how to solve it?

Thanks

[Jochen]

Caswell,

if you haven't done, yet, please install the latest NI-Motion version (7.6) and conduct a firmware update in MAX. If this doesn't solve the problem I think you should send the board to NI for repair. Please contact your local NI branch for RMA information. Before doing so you may want to test the board in another PC.

Kind regards,

Jochen Klier
National Instruments

[Adam_H]

Hi caswell,

To add to what Jochen said I would try it in a different PCI slot in the computer.  If the problem persist then I would also suggest trying it in a different computer.

[caswell]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

I have tried the card in a different PCI slot with exactly the same result, so I think I will swap it to another computer and then attempt that firmware update. Here's hoping that fixes it.