Two ways to test an analog output

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You can test the analog output in two ways:

1) With the "Zero Offset" parameter

• Switch simCNC to the "Disable" state (drives not active).
• Connect a voltage meter to the +/-10V analog output
• Go to "Configuration/Settings/Modules/MotionKit 0/Manual PID configuration" and use the horizontal slider to change the value of the "Zero Offset" parameter from -2V to 2V.

As you change the "Zero Offset" parameter, you should see the voltage change on the DMM.
The set value of the voltage may differ from the actual one by about 0.2V.
Remember to set the "Zero Offset" parameter to the previous value; otherwise, you will hear strong knocks of the axis when they are turned on.

2) By PID regulator

This way is a bit more challenging and requires more attention.

• Switch simCNC to the "Disable" state (drives not active).
• Turn off or disconnect the drive of the analog channel under test.
• Turn off the drive error signal (it will bother you).
• Go to "Configuration/Settings/Modules/MotionKit 0/Manual PID configuration" and set all visible parameters except "kP" to 0.
• Set the “kP” parameter to 0.005.
• Connect a voltage meter to the +/-10V analog output
• Switch simCNC to "Enable" state
• Turn the ball screw (turn the encoder)

With the increasing number of turns of the ball screw, the voltage on the analog output should decrease or increase in the range from -10 to +10V.

Attention!
Touching the voltage meter to the screws of the green terminal may give an illusory readout.
This is because the green terminals have a lift-type clamp, which will ensure proper conduction only after tightening the screw.

[Source:] The text was created by CS-Lab’s Technical Support section for CSMIO/IP users.