Setup Check Lists Introduction

The following pages contain a series of check lists that step you through the process of configuring the software for your controller. These check lists are organized as follows:

Basic Controller Setup. This a short list of parameters that should be initialized by both end-users who receive a controller as an integral part of a robot as well as by mechanism manufacturers integrating a controller for the first time. All of the remaining lists are only intended for mechanism manufacturers and individuals that seek an in-depth understanding of the controller.
First Time Mechanism Integration. This is a series of lists that describe the steps necessary to integrate the controller to a mechanism for the first time. At the completion of these steps, a typical system should be functional.
Special Features. This is a group of check lists for setting up special controller features that are not required by typical systems, i.e. multiple networked controllers, dual-loop encoder capability, split-axis control, absolute encoders.
Optional Fine Tuning. This series of check lists highlights parameters that can improve the performance and operation of the system. Default values are automatically set for these parameters, so these variables need not be adjusted for the basic operation of a robot.

If you intend to configure a controller for use with a new robot or if you anticipate making extensive changes to a robot's configuration data, we highly recommend that you obtain a copy of the "Guidance Development Suite" (GDS). This package includes the Guidance Configuration Utility (GCU). The GCU provides wizards that lead you through many of the configuration steps described in the following sections. In addition, special automated features are provided that greatly simplify some of the steps.

If you do use the GCU, the information in this section can be thought of as additional detailed reference material since the GCU follows the same configuration process that is described below. Also, for some unusual configurations, this section contains additional instructions that can augment the functionality provided by the GCU.

In the following sections, each check list is displayed as a table whose columns contain the following information:

Column	Description
Function	This is a brief description of the motion controller function governed by the parameters that are being configured.
Action / DataID's	This column describes the setup action to be performed. As a result of the setup, one or more Parameter Database values will typically be modified. The name of each parameter is displayed within double quotes, e.g. "Local IP Address", and the number of the parameter (DataID) is displayed within parenthesis, e.g. (420). For detailed information on a database value, please see "Controller Software > Software Reference > Configuration and Parameter Database". That documentation defines the type of each parameter, its permitted range of values, and contains a detailed description of the parameter.
See Also	If a built-in web wizard is available for setting the database parameter, the method for accessing the wizard is defined here. For example, "(Web) Setup > Wizards > First Time Setup" indicates that a wizard is available via the web operator interface on the "Setup" tab, under the "Wizards" and "First Time Setup" selection. If a special web wizard is not available, the "Setup" page of the web operator interface should be utilized to access and alter the referenced database parameters. For example, "(Web) Setup > Parameter Database > Robot > Servo parameters > Axis" indicates that the value can be edited via the web operator interface on the "Setup" tab, under the listed left panel items. As a short hand notation, if the wizard or the editing page can be accessed via the web interface under the "Setup" tab, only the information necessary to uniquely locate the page in the left panel is displayed, e.g. "(Web) ... > Servo parameters > Axis". NOTE: When you change a value using the Setup page of the web interface, your modification will not take effect until you press the "Set new values" button. Also, you should occasionally press the "Save All to Flash" button to permanently preserve your changes in the flash disk files.

Column

Description

Function

This is a brief description of the motion controller function governed by the parameters that are being configured.

Action / DataID's

This column describes the setup action to be performed. As a result of the setup, one or more Parameter Database values will typically be modified. The name of each parameter is displayed within double quotes, e.g. "Local IP Address", and the number of the parameter (DataID) is displayed within parenthesis, e.g. (420).

For detailed information on a database value, please see "Controller Software > Software Reference > Configuration and Parameter Database". That documentation defines the type of each parameter, its permitted range of values, and contains a detailed description of the parameter.

See Also

If a built-in web wizard is available for setting the database parameter, the method for accessing the wizard is defined here. For example, "(Web) Setup > Wizards > First Time Setup" indicates that a wizard is available via the web operator interface on the "Setup" tab, under the "Wizards" and "First Time Setup" selection.

If a special web wizard is not available, the "Setup" page of the web operator interface should be utilized to access and alter the referenced database parameters. For example, "(Web) Setup > Parameter Database > Robot > Servo parameters > Axis" indicates that the value can be edited via the web operator interface on the "Setup" tab, under the listed left panel items.

As a short hand notation, if the wizard or the editing page can be accessed via the web interface under the "Setup" tab, only the information necessary to uniquely locate the page in the left panel is displayed, e.g. "(Web) ... > Servo parameters > Axis".

NOTE: When you change a value using the Setup page of the web interface, your modification will not take effect until you press the "Set new values" button. Also, you should occasionally press the "Save All to Flash" button to permanently preserve your changes in the flash disk files.

Since the Guidance controllers and their software have been designed to meet the needs of a wide range of mechanisms and applications, there are many specialized Parameter Database values that are not addressed by the check lists. These parameters are automatically assigned reasonable default values and can be ignored for a typical system. However, should you wish to learn about all of the available parameters and data logging values, a complete list of the elements of this database are documented in the "Controller Software > Software Reference > Configuration and Parameter Database" section of the PreciseFlex™ PreciseFlex Library.