BSC103 problem - Motors not displaying in the APT software

[IBleedTeal]

Hi,

I am working with a Thorlabs BSC103 stepper controller.  We have it connected to two NRT150 linear motors and one nanorotator.  I had everything working fine, but suddenly it stopped working.

Signs that something is not working properly: 1) The Channel Enable lights are not lit up on the front of the motor controller. 2) The APT config software does not recognize the motors. 3) When I open APT user, the screen is simply black and I can't get any of the GUI's to display.  Now, I know that the computer can see the three motor inputs because when I got into APT firmware, it shows them as connected.  But when  I go back into APT config, it doesn't show them there.  So there seems to be a disconnect between the USB connection and the software recognizing that something is connected.

We have tried shutting everything down and rebooting, we have called Thorlabs tech support, but I am not getting any closer to solving this issue.  I am also in the process of updating the software but I need to obtain admin rights on this computer so that is a work in progress. 

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

-Nick S.

[Raj_V]

Hi Nick,

What NI Software or Hardware are you using to control these motors and nanorotator? It would be difficult to answer your question on these forums if we don't know how it's related to NI's products.

[IBleedTeal]

I guess I just had a general question and thought someone on here would know what I was talking about.  I ended up getting it all working just fine.  Thank you for trying to help anyway.

-Nick

[Ottawa_T]

I had the same issue as described. After insert the ActiveX following the Thorlabs 

``User Guide to LabVIEW & APT``, the controller BSC103 worked for a while to control the motor. Then after some change, it does not work anymore. the error message is 

``A software call has been made to a control which is not currently communicating with any hardware. This may be because the control has not been started or due to incorrect serial number or missing hardware.``After that, The interface of the ActiveX is changed also.

I tried to restart the controller, looks like it does not work. I try to enable the channel, the LED is not on.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Ott

[Raj_V]

Hi Ott,

Can you confirm if you are in fact using LabVIEW to control this motor? Or was the controller utility simply developed using LabVIEW by the manufacturer? I'm not quite sure I understand how the motor and LabVIEW are connected.

[Ottawa_T]

Working now - use ActiveX. First need to make the APT user working then the program.

[Castelain]

Hi Ott,

In case I am lucky that you happen to read it :

I encounter exactly the same problem.

How did you eventually get the APT user working ? Got same error messages in LB.

Thanks

Mick