Import Excel File to NI-motion assistant

[Andy111]

Is there a way to take an excel file of (x,y) coordinates and import into NI-motion assistant, so that two stepper motors (situated perpendicularly) will be able to move to this absolute positions in series?

[Chris_1890]

To Import an Excel file you must use a Contoured Move step.  In the Contouring Parameters tab in the Step Setup window, choose Excel Spreadsheet from the drop down menu for Type of input.  You can then choose either a Position Profile or Position-Velocity-Time Profile and browse to the appropriate Excel file.  There is an example of how to do this under:

Program Files»National Instruments»Motion Assistant»Examples»2 Dimension»2D PVT Move.nma.  

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

[Andy111]

I am using a PCI-7332 Motion Controller, and it is telling me that I can't use a contoured move with this type of motion controller.  Is there any other way to do this, or would I need to get a new motion controller?

[Chris_1890 · Accepted solution]

That is correct, contoured moves are not supported on the 7330 series cards.  The 7340 and 7350 series of cards do support contoured moves.  If you are wanting to use Excel to import position profiles, then you will need to use a card that supports contoured moves.  Here is a link to a KnowledgeBase article that may prove helpful to you.  It details the differences between the 7330, 7340, and 7350 series.

Configuring a Motion Control System

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3126#toc2