GalilSuite-Overview

GalilSuite Revision 1.0, released on Windows in January 2013, is now available on Linux Red Hat 5.x.  GalilSuite is a powerful and flexible tool for configuring, analyzing and tuning Galil motion and I/O controllers. GalilSuite provides an impressive user interface, servo tuning capabilities with multiple tuning methods, real-time scopes, multiple device management, and simplified communications. In addition, a comprehensive GUI as well as automated help for all tools allows easy management of the complete system.

Galil has just released the latest model in the DMC-40x0 Accelera Motion Controller Series. There is now a -C022 option that provides two Ethernet ports for easy-daisy chaining of multiple controllers. The -C022 option is available for 1- through 8-axis versions of the DMC-40x0 motion controller. For example, DMC-4060-C022 specifies a 6-axis model with dual Ethernet ports.

Introduction

The use of linear motors for precision motion applications has increased as technology has improved.

A linear motor typically uses a servo drive with sinusoidal commutation to minimize torque ripple and provide quiet smooth motion. It is also becoming more common for linear motor manufacturers to provide position feedback in the form of an analog sin/cos encoder as this method uses the signals from the motor magnets and is more cost-effective.  Galil motion controllers now provide options for sinusoidal drives and interpolation of sin/cos analog feedback for smooth control of ultra-high performance applications.

GalilSuite provides multiple tools for easy set-up and tuning of motion systems.  This image shows the multichannel Scope tool capturing the actual position, command position, position error and motor torque.