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Question How to operate AC Servo-Driver via SimTools ?

Discussion in 'Motor actuators and drivers' started by Ashraf, May 30, 2018.

  1. Ashraf

    Ashraf Member

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    On the forum I could not find the information how to operate AC Servo-Driver via SimTools ?
    I have three-axis servo driver DORNA EPS - M1 :
    https://www.yoycart.com/Product/537908559744
    This servo driver is controlled by RS485
    Connecting RS485 to computer possible by "USB to RS485" adapter:
    https://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/usb-to-rs485-converter

    - but the question is how to operate AC Servo-Driver via SimTools ?

    DORNA EPS - M1.jpg Servo Driver.jpg
    Last edited: May 30, 2018
  2. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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    Hi,


    You need a motion controller for these servo drives. A few months ago I made one exactly for these Dorna M1 (3-in-1) servo drives:




    (power-on calibration)


    (running on Ian's BFF motion software motion software, soon on simtools as well)


    Thanks
    Thanos
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  3. Ashraf

    Ashraf Member

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    I admire the work you have done :cheers
    When I saw such a complicated motion controller - immediately there were a few questions:
    1) there are international communication protocols, for example:
    USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard protocol for communication between PC and other devices
    RS-485 ( Recommended Standard 485), other name EIA-485 (Electronic Industries Alliance-485)

    2) when you made controller, you did a great job, what purpose did you pursue:
    2.1. to make an interpreter for standardization between different protocols?
    2.2. or make an interpreter between the servo-drivers and the SimTools ?
    2.3. or make a "universal motion controller" for all types of servо-drivers?

    3) Is there really no direct communication between the USB and RS-485 on the international protocol?

    As a professional in his field, can you please explain the intricacies of communication between RS-485 and USB ?
    Thank you.

    Kind Regards,
    Ashraf.
    Last edited: Jun 1, 2018
  4. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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    Hi Ashraf,

    My controller is using serial interface via its FTDI chipset on board. When connected on a PC it shows up in the Device Manager as USB to Serial device (COMx). The RS-485 is similar but it uses a half-duplex encoder/decoder chip to rise the voltage for transmission and lower again on the receiver (for longer distances).
    I understand many servo drives have RS-485 interface for settings but usually use CAN interface to control the motion part as it uses better addressing system. However neither the RS-485 or CAN interface is standard even for different devices of the same manufacturer. Each device has its own set of address system and commands they respond to. This means that you cannot use the control software that Dorna servo drives use for example on Syntron servo drives. Nor you can program a motion interface in a computer and be able to reuse it in another servo drive model.

    The AMC1280USB has different approach, as its using universal control inputs that are the same for all servo drives, no matter what model or manufacturer are from. All you have to do is to connect these control input between the AMC1280USB and the servo control connector ( usually a 44 pin connector) and set the proper control mode in the servo parameters and you are set. So yes, you may consider it as a universal motion controller for Servo drives.

    Now you can use any type servo drive via the AMC1280USB common interface to provide motion from Simtools or other motion software. The command protocol of the AMC1280USB is easy, you can sent to it simple position command even from simple terminal if you like. I can provide detailed command list and specs on the communications of the AMC1280USB if you like to write you own custom control interface for it.

    Thanks
    Thanos
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  5. Jerry Atrick

    Jerry Atrick this is my sim Gold Contributor

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  6. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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  7. Ashraf

    Ashraf Member

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    Thank you for such a detailed answer.
    I caught myself thinking, why don't you use «Serial Port Monitor» (sniffer) ?
    - this could have greatly facilitated your task ;)
  8. Ashraf

    Ashraf Member

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    Do you have a manual for Dorna EPS - M1 (3-in-1) ?
    - please can you tell me what is the problem here?

    Test servo-driver.jpg
  9. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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    I don't have the english version of the Dorna EPS-M1 manual, however I sent you the manual for the EPS-B1 which is the same. The Dorna EPS-M1 contains three EPS-B1 drives...

    I'm not sure what is the problem. Perhaps its trying to detect limit switches when you don't have any attached. Try disabling the limit switches safeguard, but be ready to stop the motor before it reaches the end positions of the actuator... The JOG function keeps running the motor to either direction non stop!

    Thanks
    Thanos
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  10. Ashraf

    Ashraf Member

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    Probably for safety of the actuator this parameter was blocked (!)
    - changing this parameters removes the motor lock:

    PA508.jpg

    Thank you soooo much :cheers

    Kind Regards,
    Ashraf.
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  11. Jerry Atrick

    Jerry Atrick this is my sim Gold Contributor

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  12. Ashraf

    Ashraf Member

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    Thank you for your participation in the project
    I checked the manual for EPS B-1 and EPS M-1 and there is a big difference,
    using the sniffer, we listened to the signals and got the result:
    Speed 57600 odd 1 stop bit
    2304 - register turns on the servo
    2305 - 1-on forward 0-off forward
    2306 - 1-on , 0-off backward
    306 register the speed set in JOG
    for us now an open question is: - how to connect this data via SimTools?
  13. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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    Obviously you will need a CAN interface that can talk to the motors, then you will need to write a computer program that will translate the axis positions from Simtools to positions of the actuators that the Dorna drives. You will need to write that between program in a way to control the actuators in position mode with all things involved in that, managing home position limits, managing stroke limits, PID control and error control.

    Personally, I think this is too much work to do for a specific servo drive model, that might be obsolete soon. And you won't be able to use same code for another model or brand servo drive...

    Thanks
    Thanos
  14. Gadget999

    Gadget999 Well-Known Member

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    what simulator is this ? where did you get it from ?
  15. Thanos

    Thanos Building the Future one AC Servo at a time... or 6

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    https://mantgames.en.made-in-china....otion-Platform-3-Dof-Platform-for-F1-Car.html

    Its not mine, a customer has it in Australia, I just made for him a custom AMC1280USB to bypass the Vegafu motion controller on it so he will be able to play other racing games and flight sim, as before was locked for use only with pCars...

    Thanks
    Thanos
  16. Mohamed afifi

    Mohamed afifi New Member

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    I CANT SOLVE THIS PROPLEM ERORR 10 ON DRIVE ANDER ON SMC
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  17. Jerry Atrick

    Jerry Atrick this is my sim Gold Contributor

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    Hi Mohamed, sorry I can't help, but I hope you get some response to help fix this; as it would be a shame to finish here!

    Jerry
  18. christian orozco

    christian orozco New Member

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