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DMC-3425 Chapter 7 Application Programming• 107
Chapter 7 Application Programming
Overview
The DMC-3425 provides a powerful programming language that allows users to customize the
controller for their particular application. Programs can be downloaded into the DMC-3425 memory
freeing the host computer for other tasks. However, the host computer can send commands to the
controller at any time, even while a program is being executed. Only ASCII commands can be used
for application programming.
In addition to standard motion commands, the DMC-3425 provides commands that allow the DMC-
3425 to make its own decisions. These commands include conditional jumps, event triggers and
subroutines. For example, the command JP#LOOP, n<10 causes a jump to the label #LOOP if the
variable n is less than 10.
For greater programming flexibility, the DMC-3425 provides user-defined variables, arrays and
arithmetic functions. For example, with a cut-to-length operation, the length can be specified as a
variable in a program that the operator can change as necessary.
Global vs. Local Programming
As mentioned previously, multiple DMC-3425 controllers can be connected through an Ethernet hub.
The DMC-3425 controllers can be setup to operate in 2 modes; LOCAL OPERATION and
GLOBAL OPERATION.
In Local Operation, the host computer can download a program to any DMC-3425 and all program
commands refer to the two axes on the controller as A and B. Each controller operates independently.
This type of program is referred to as a LOCAL PROGRAM.
In Global Operation, up to eight axes of DMC-3425 and DMC-3415 controllers act as a “virtual multi-
axis controller”. One DMC-3425 is designated as the master controller and the other controllers are
designated as slave controllers. The host computer can download a program to the master DMC-3425.
The master controller program contains commands that address all axes in the system. This GLOBAL
PROGAM will operate as if it was a program on a traditional multi-axis controller. In addition, each
slave controller can also be programmed with a LOCAL PROGRAM that applies only to the 2 axes
of the controller.
The type of program, global program or local program, will affect the command syntax. In a global
program, all axes have a unique axis designator (A-H). In a local program, each program addresses
only the 2 axes of the controller. These two axes are always referred to as A and B.
The following sections in this chapter discuss each aspect of creating an applications program. Where
applicable, subjects are identified as applicable only to LOCAL PROGRAMS with the word LOCAL
next to each header.