Motion Mechanic is expert level diagnostic software that allows the advanced user to talk to the ExtraTech controller with its own native language. This tool is mainly used for troubleshooting or maintenance by OEM personnel. Talking to an ExtraTech controller is quite complicated and usually requires detailed knowledge of the hardware involved. Unless the user has some programming experience and understanding of hardware at the component level, they should steer away from this utility.
If someone new to programming or command line use must resort to talking directly to the ExtraTech controller, then they should proceed with caution. It would be a good start to at least read the manuals for the controller based software and then make sure they know the parameters, capabilities and limitations of the machine. OEM's that allow inexperienced end users to use this utility (not really recommended) should be prepared to provide some telephone hand-holding support. If someone from an OEM needs this kind of support, then ExtraTech would welcome the call to help them get started without risking harm to expensive controller or machine hardware.
Firmware -- Unlike traditional software that is geared toward the user, firmware is software that is geared toward the electronic circuits that make up the ExtraTech controller. Firmware could be described as an interpreter from the ones and zeros of digital logic, to the real world of the users keyboard AND / OR computer. The firmware that ExtraTech controllers use has a name -- that name is "uCito" (pronounced - micro see toe). uCito is the command line interpreter. Any files or commands sent to the controller are deciphered by uCito. This is not much different than a language translator. Firmware is stored within FLASH memory on the ExtraTech controller, and is retained when the power is turned off.
The firmware that is in an ExtraTech controller will vary from machine to machine. For instance, if a machine uses servo motors rather than steppers, then the firmware present will be different, and so will the interface hardware. Firmware also sets the tone for what a machine is capable of regarding features and capabilities. Laser systems, positioning systems, and custom engineered systems require special firmware to do their tasks. Firmware indeed may vary from controller to controller, but the underlying principle and theories remain the same. Firmware is a bridge between the digital world of electronics and the user. Firmware is the translator.
User Init File -- All of the data for machine operation is kept in the User Init File. Commands, also known as macros are defined within the User Init File. These macros represent what the controller understands as its native language. A bunch of macros put together make up a sequence of events. Multiple sequences of events make up the final product. The User Init File can be quite simple, or extremely complicated. In terms of ExtraTech's view, complicated is merely a bigger User Init File size. Simple init files may be only a few thousand bytes in size. Some of the larger init files may be well over one hundred thousand bytes in size. As with firmware, the User Init File is stored within FLASH memory and is retained even when the power is turned off.
Machine Parameters -- The customer's unique machine characteristics are intimately tied to the User Init File of an ExtraTech controller. It is with the machine parameters, that the unique "personality" of the machine is born. Key setup information such as speed, acceleration, and more are a direct result of the machine parameters. As with the User Init files and firmware, the machine parameters are stored within the non-volatile FLASH memory (saved even if the controller power is lost or turned off). For a more detailed description of Machine Parameters see the on-line help that is included in the application.
Communications -- The ExtraTech motion controller can be accessed with several different interfaces. Currently the one most frequently used is the serial port on a PC. Users most often use COM1 or COM2, and support for COM3 and above is implemented. The host serial port on the controller is software configurable. Another serial port on the controller provides the interface to the pendant (keypad). The serial ports have a maximum transmission speed of 57600 baud. A Mod-Bus port provides another communication link for controller management or access to other types of industrial control systems. At the time of this writing USB is NOT supported.
In response to increased demand for technology, ExtraTech has embraced Ethernet as its main communication link. Extratech has adopted a modular approach to the entire line of motion control products. Location and physical proximity are no longer constraining limitations. High speed and reliability are the key points in choosing Ethernet. ExtraTech controllers talk TCP/IP via Ethernet. As time and technology continue to advance, so will the availability of new communication options offered by ExtraTech.