Chapter 3
Standalone Operation
3.1
Introduction
The OptoDCDriver has been designed specifically to operate with the extensive range
of Thorlabs DC motorised opto-mechanical products. The unit offers a fully featured
motion control capability including velocity profile settings, limit switch handling,
homing sequences and, for more advanced operation, adjustment of settings such as
lead screw pitch and gearbox ratio, allowing support for many different actuator
configurations. These parameters can be set via the APT Server software - see
Chapter 4. Furthermore, many of these parameters are automatically set to allow “out
of the box” operation with no further “tuning” required.
The following brief overview explains how the front panel controls can be used to
perform a typical series of motor moves.
In conjunction with this chapter, it also may be useful to read the background on DC
servo motor operation contained in Appendix D.
3.2
Front Panel Controls and Indicators
Fig. 3.1 Front Panel Controls and Indicators
MOVE Controls - These controls allow all motor moves to be initiated.
Jog Buttons - Used to jog the motors and make discrete position increments in
either direction - see Section 4.7. for more details on jogging.
Slider Potentiometer - Used to drive the motor at a varying speed in either forward
or reverse directions for full and easy motor control.
DC 12-15V 1A
MOVE
USB
_
+
apt
