PWM drivers for DC Servo motors are incorporated on-board the MACE card for each of the 5 channels
of closed-loop motor control, eliminating (in most cases) the need for external motor drive stages.
Each of the 5 channels is able to handle 30 watts of power, subject to a total load of 100w. If one or
more axes in your application require a higher power rating, external drive stages can be accommodated.
Power for 12v DC Servo motors may be taken directly from the PC power supply using the power lead provided.
Most PC power supplies have more than sufficient spare capacity that can be used for this purpose. If your
application uses higher voltage motors, a range of DC -> DC converters is available. Alternatively,
a PC back-plane connector facilitates use of an external power supply.
A demonstration application (for which full source code is provided) allows one to quickly and easily
configure parameters such as amplifier gains and calibration constants. The demonstration software, which
is based around the MACE ActiveX control, also give an immediate indication of the state of the motion
interlock lines, homing switch lines and emergency stop lines.
Through the MACE ActiveX control, all of the basic modes of operation of the MACE's motion control chips
are available to the developer, along with additional functions to handle common operations such as locating
the 'home' position for each axis. Developers who require behaviour other than that provided through the ActiveX
control may use the lower level, yet more powerful, "dynamic link library" (DLL).
Full details of the MACE card's capabilities, system requirements and modes of operation, and full details
of the supporting software development kit, are given in the documentation that is available for download
from this web site.
Throughout the development of the MACE card, the primary objective has been to produce a PC based motion
control system that is simple to use, yet flexible whilst still remaining cost-effective.
