Read Me and FAQ's

You will want to download the latest version of the SCL manual (it's free) from the AutomationDirect Tech support site. The link to the manual is :

http://web2.automationdirect.com/static/manuals/surestepmanual/scl_manual.pdf

IMPORTANT

Check wiring and successful operation of wiring by using the "IS" (Input Status) command in the SCL Terminal utility in the SureStep Pro software. You MUST fully understand

the designation of High and Low for the I/O of the SureStep Pro drive. "High" means open ( no connection) and "Low" means closed ( current can flow). This is the

opposite of typical ADC product terminology. When using the "IS" command, an input is ON when identified by a "0", and OFF when it is a "1". For example, after

sending the "IS" command to the drive, if it responds with 00000101, this means that input 2, the Dir terminal ( of the 3 available on the SureStep Pro drives) is actually

closed, or ON. A value of 00000110 would mean that input 1, the Step terminal, is actually closed, or ON. The upper 5 bits (zeroes) are not used in the drive.

00000100

= Inputs 1 and 2 are on ( Low)

00000111

= All inputs are off ( high)

00000000

= All inputs are on (low)

ANY and ALL motion commands/sequences should be tested first by using the SCL Terminal Utility. By sending each command, you can verify that

each step works. This is how we at Tech Support will troubleshoot any problems, it will be done thru SureStep Pro and the SCL Terminal Utility.

To verify the output strings of the PRINT/PRINTV examples, we strongly recommend the use of our programming cables and the use of a Terminal Emulator such as HyperTerm

(included in versions of Windows EXCEPT Vista) or RealTerm. For the D0-05 and the Click, use the DS-DSCBL and for the D0-06, 250/-1 and 260, use the D2-DSCBL-1.

Once you have verified that your sequence works successfully, then it is time to move to the example PLC programs. There are examples for all the indexing commands

(FC,FL,FM,FO,FP,FS,FY).

You need to follow these steps to configure the drive for SCL control:

1 )Using the SureStep Pro software, configure the drive for "SCL mode" under "Motion & I/O". You will want to select Command Mode 21,

for Point-to-Point Positioning.

2) Cycle power to the drive, making sure to leave power off for at least 10 seconds.

3) The drive is now ready to accept the ASCII commands from the PLC.

The SureStep Pro communication settings are 9600 baud, 8 bits, 1 stop bit, no parity. The port settings of the particular PLC should be set to these values, and also set the .

RTS On and Off delays to 20 ms

We recommend the use of the D0-06,D2-260 and Click PLC's because of their advanced ASCII commands. The Click, with its' very advanced MATH and SEND instructions in

particular, greatly simplifies the manipulation of negative values.

Remember, the SureStep drive, while very powerful and flexible when used within its' designed limits, is not a full-blown motion controller, nor will it be supported as one.

1) It is not closed-loop. This means you WILL be subject to lost steps and accuracy. The longer the drive is used in an Absolute mode, the greater the potential error.

2) There is no method of coordinated motion, even if your Host controller is capable of bi-directional comms.

While possible to change modes of the drive while in operation for a specific user application, this is not the intended purpose of the drive, or of SCL. The primary intended

purpose is to make a specific model as flexible as possible for the user, and to have one model with the ability to be used for many applications, thus reducing

stocked parts.

All of the F(x) modes are designed to have their variables changed ( Velocity, Distance, Distance Change or Velocity Change points, Input triggers, etc), and it is these different

modes that make the drive so flexible. A "label dispenser" using FS mode (Registration) or FY mode (Registration with Safety Distance), a simple index move using

FL mode(Feed to Length), a more precise indexing operation that has the drive waiting for an input trigger (FL using Wait for Input), a very versatile move with FC mode

( High/Creep speed or Blended move), and the ability to turn the drive output ON at a specific point during a feed-to-length move ( FO- Feed to Length and Set Output).