Operation

Getting started

The quickest way to get started with the SMD3, having completed wiring up according to the previous chapter is to install the SMD3 software on your PC (see section 6), power on the SMD3 and connect it with the USB lead to the PC. The SMD3 software provides an intuitive and easy way to configure and evaluate the features of the SMD3 described in the remainder of this section.

This section discusses the various operational modes and configuration options available. The SMD3 software provides easy access to these functions, as well as help text describing each. If communicating with the SMD3 directly, using a terminal program or your own software, see section 7 which lists the commands available.

Operating modes

There are five operating modes:

Remote   Accepts commands from host PC or PLC; powerful software supplied, control and configure multiple axes at once. All setup (including mode selection) must be performed using the remote interface.	Joystick   Ideal for basic movement during commissioning; press for one step, press and hold for continuous movement; latching mode option.
Step/Direction   Opto-isolated step and direction; configurable rising or rising/falling edge; up to 256x interpolation.	Bake   Heats the motor by energising both phases and holding the motor stationary, regulating the current to achieve a setpoint temperature. Used to drive off adsorbed moisture in the motor.
Step/Direction triggered velocity Start/stop using step signal, Positive/negative movement according to direction signal; configurable velocity profile.	Home Home mode drives the motor to the positive or negative limit switch.

INFORMATION: Mode can be changed only when the motor is not performing any movement. This can be verified by checking the standby flag, which is returned in a status register by the SMD3 on every communication, see section 7.2. The firmware prevents mode change when the standby flag is not set. 

In the case of Step/Direction mode, it is the responsibility of the external controller to perform any final activities, such as coming to a stop, before changing the mode.

Step/Direction

Step/Direction triggered velocity

Remote

Joystick

Bake

Home

General concepts

User interface

Persistence of settings

Motor current

Microstepping

Freewheel mode

Velocity and Positioning mode

Initiating movement

Monitoring the motor

Enable input

Motor configuration

Temperature sensor selection

AML motors can be supplied with either a K-Type thermocouple or PT100 RTD temperature sensor. Ensure the sensor is connected to the thermocouple (X4 - Thermocouple) or RTD (X3 – I/O, see 4.3.4) input, and make the appropriate selection. The temperature sensor select command [TSEL] allows selection between thermocouple and RTD.

INFORMATION: The motor is disabled if the temperature sensor is misconnected, faulty or the temperature measurement exceeds 190 °C in order to protect the motor from possible damage to the insulation material.
Check that the motor temperature sensor selection matches that of your motor.

Profile configuration

Start and stop frequency

Acceleration and deceleration

Changing direction

Limits

Faults

Types of fault

Clearing a fault

Faults may be cleared using the clear command [CLR], or by pulling the fault reset pin to the ‘GND’ pin on ‘X3 – I/O’.

The external enable fault is non-latching when in step direction mode; once the external enable state is restored, or the external enable setting is changed to false, normal operation will resume immediately without the need to clear it as described above.