|
Baldor's multi-tasking MintMT (Motion INTeligence Multi-Tasking) is a structured BASIC-like prograrmming language that
employs "keywords" to make programming of motion control moves easy
(ie it has been optimized for motion control solutions), and provides a
comprehensive Windows tool with ActiveX components for development of
Windows front end applications.
Mint is now one of the most
widely used motion programming languages in the world - used
in over 50,000 systems.
Mint
is a programmable language that can handle motion, I/O and HMI
tasks. The latest generation of Mint, MintMT, brings multi-tasking
capabilities which can greatly simplify program structure and
execution, especially where motion, I/O and HMI tasks are intermixed.
Mint is designed to be powerful and flexible yet easy
to use. Click here to
see an example of Mint.
MintMT
is supported on Baldor's range of NextMove motion
controllers and the award winning MintDrive intelligent
servo drive.
A comprehensive
set of ActiveX controls are supplied free
of charge allowing complete programmability on the PC. The supplied embedded
'C' libraries for the NextMove controllers provide ultimate
flexibility in programming.
Click here for an
overview of Baldor's full line of Servo / Motion solutions.
Support
for contouring/profiling applications
MintNC is
a comprehensive Windows front end for fast profiling applications.
MintNC will import information in industry-standard CAD formats
including G-code, HPGL and DXF, and generate the required real-time
motion commands. more information
Key
attributes of Mint:
Features
- Easy
to use BASIC-like motion control language, designed for real-time
control
- Supports
servo & stepper motor systems, allowing axes to
be mixed
- Comprehensive
ActiveX libraries for PC programming
- Embedded
'C' libraries for NextMove motion controllers
Programming
- English
keywords
- Multi-tasking
capability with number of tasks limited only by memory
- User-defined
variables & arrays
- User
defined functions and procedures with local variables
- Math
and bitwise operators
- Auto
program execution on power-up from non volatile memory
Motion
control
- Speed,
position & torque control
- Linear,
circular and helical interpolation
- Master
encoder or pulse following, software gearbox
- Trapezoidal-
and S-shaped velocity profiles
- Servo
control loop with Proportional, Integral, Velocity
feedback and Velocity feedforward, down to 100microsec loop
closure
time
- Stepper
control up to 1MHz step rate
I/O
- Interrupt
capability on inputs
- Error
recovery for limit & positional errors
- Flexible
operator control over executing program using joystick,
pushbuttons or serial terminal
Applications
- Standalone
machine control systems
- Slave
controllers under command of a host computer over serial
or network link
Programming
Front End:
The
Mint WorkBench is a common Windows front end compatible with
Baldor's range of motion controllers and servo drives. Mint
WorkBench offers an easy to use Windows development front end
for Mint
programming, with its color syntax highlighting of keywords
and context sensitive help. The Program Navigator makes it a
breeze
to navigate the source code, no matter how complicated.
Features
include:
- Full
screen editor with color syntax highlighting of Mint
keywords
- Command
line interface to interrogate the controller even when
the program is running
- Spy
window to monitor common motion variables and I/O
- Software
oscilloscope
- Watch
window for monitoring variables and tasks
- SupportMe
function with automatic email generation for rapid
technical support
- Web
updates of firmware within the Mint WorkBench
- Easy
management of firmware files
ActiveX
Libraries:
A
comprehensive set of ActiveX controls are supplied free of
charge with Baldor's motion controllers and servo drives for
provide
Windows programming. Programming languages such as Microsoft
Visual Basic, Visual C++, Borland Delphi and LabVIEW are
supported. In fact any PC programming interface supporting ActiveX
controls
can be used to interface to Baldor's motion products.
The
ActiveX controls give complete access to the Mint command
set allowing motion programming and I/O sequencing to be performed
on the PC. The ActiveX control will send commands to the
controller
over the PCIbus, serial port or USB port for immediate execution.
It is even possible to execute a Mint application on the
controller at the same time.
Embedded
'C' Libraries:
For
the most demanding of applications, the NextMove controllers
can be programmed with the supplied embedded 'C' libraries. The
Mint Open Architecture allows custom moves and servo loops to
be embedded within the real time kernel of the controller. An
embedded 'C' application can execute at the same time as an ActiveX application
running on the PC.
|