Specifications

Operation

3.7 How to Work with the Wave Generator

Each axis can be controlled by a "wave generator" which outputs

user-specified patterns, so-called "waveforms". This feature is especially

important in dynamic applications which require periodic, synchronous

motion of the axes. The waveforms to be output are stored in "wave tables"

in the controllers volatile memory—one waveform per wave table.

Waveforms can be created based on predefined "curve" shapes. This can

be sine, ramp, polynomial, tangent and single scan line curves. Additionally

you can freely define curve shapes. Programmable trigger inputs and

outputs facilitate synchronization of external events.

During the wave generator output, data is recorded in "record tables" on the

controller. See

"Data Recording" (p. 31) for more information.

The following subsections describe the basics of the wave generator

handling. For more detailed information and examples refer to the E-517

User Manual which is on the E-517 CD.

3.7.1 Basic Data

The E-517 provides three wave generators and three wave tables with 8192

points per table. There is a fixed one-to-one assignment of axes to wave

generators and wave tables. If axes are deactivated (see "Configure Axes

and Channels" in the E-517 User Manual for details), only the wave

generators and wave tables belonging to the active axes can be used. With

E-517.i1 models only wave generator 1 and wave table 1 can be used.

To ask for the number of wave generators, use the TWG? command. The

maximum number of wave tables is given by the Number of Waves Tables

parameter, ID 0x1300010A. The maximum number of points per table can

be queried with the WMS? command or via the Max Wave Points of table i

parameter, ID 0x13000201. Use the SPA? command to ask for the

parameter values.

3.7.2 Basic Operation

1 Define the waveform segment-by-segment using the WAV

command. The waveform will be written to the selected wave table.

2 Start the wave generator output and hence the motion of the axis

using the WGO command. You can choose several start options

(e.g. start/stop by external trigger; see the description of the WGO

command for more information).

When starting the wave generator, data recording is started

automatically.