The GM215 is an extraordinarily powerful and complex motion controller but can be plugged in and running in just a few steps. This guide seeks to provide step-by-step instructions to get your GM215 communicating with GeckoMotion and running a motor quickly. For the full command set and manual, please use the GM215 User Guide that can be found on your documentation disk or on the Geckodrive website.
STEP 1: DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL GECKOMOTION
In order to use the GM215 you must install GeckoMotion and update to the most current revision. The files required can be found at the following URL:
Once you have followed the onscreen instructions and installed GeckoMotion it is time to setup the GM215 to run.
STEP 2: WIRE THE GM215 TO RUN OVER RS485
If you are using the recommended USB to RS485 cable (FTDI part number USB-RS485-WE-1800-BT) then the following wiring will apply to your application. If you are not using that cable then the wire colors may differ according to the manufacturer of the USB to RS485 cable.
Firstly, be sure that DIP switches 1 – 5 are set as shown in Figure 1:
FIGURE 1
Next, plug the RS485 cable into terminals 10, 11, and 12 of the communication connector. The color for the recommended FTDI cable will be:
TERMINAL 10 - Orange
TERMINAL 11 - Yellow
TERMINAL 12 - Black
Lastly, connect your power supply and motor according to Figure 2:
FIGURE 2
STEP 3: VERIFY GECKOMOTION SETTINGS
There are some settings in GeckoMotion that may or may not be preset in your software. Verify these settings are set correctly by going to View > Log. The highlighted fields in the popup should be identical to Figure 3, with the command response timeout set to 50mS, delay after command set to 10mS and the Poll every box checked and set to 40mS:
FIGURE 3
STEP 4: ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION WITH THE GM215
With the GM215 hardware set correctly and GeckoMotion set up to poll the drive every 40mS you can now establish your connection to the GM215 by plugging in your USB – RS485 cable. Your software should look like Figure 4, with the COM port address depending on where you have your cable plugged into your computer:
FIGURE 4
STEP 5: RUN SAMPLE CODE IN DEBUG MODE
Once you have established communication with the GM215 you are ready to test sample code. To do so you must go to File > New and select the tab labeled . Once you have selected the new tab you can paste the sample code below, changing variables to match your motor. Be sure to leave a blank line at the end of your program so it will register in the compiler.
x configure: 1 amps, idle at 50% after 1 seconds
x limit cw 100000
x offset 1000
analog inputs to {0} ; NO AXIS USING ANALOG
vector axis are {0} ; NO AXIS USING VECTOR
x acceleration 64 ; RUN ACCELERATION
x velocity 200 ; RUN VELOCITY
motion:
x+1000
x-1000
goto motion ; REPEAT. INFINITE LOOP
With this code entered in the console you can hit Compile on the Source navigation pane and then select Run from the Control pane. As referenced above, be sure to leave a blank line at the end of your program so it will register in the compiler. Your final line should look like Figure 5:
FIGURE 5
Now that communication and motion have been established you can move on to more complex motion commands, with sample code found in the user guide beginning on page 29.