NI software offers configurable trigger outputs

The newest version of National Instruments' (NI) Motion Assistant software offers configurable trigger outputs for high-speed integration with industrial I/O.

According to the company, factory automation engineers and machine builders can use the Motion Assistant 1.1 to easily configure position triggers and quickly generate LabVIEW code, significantly reducing development time and creating highly integrated systems.

The product offers an intuitive point-and-click interface and a virtual workspace for motion profile visualization, as well as automatic LabVIEW code generation for deployment. Engineers can use it to create trigger pulses for direct routing to data acquisition or machine vision hardware through the RTSI or PXI trigger bus. NI has added that the new triggering capabilities are especially useful for automated testing equipment such as pick-and-place and motion and measurement scanning.

The Motion Assistant 1.1 also delivers control of digital I/O lines in NI motion control hardware. For example, engineers can use the software to turn on or off relays, valves, pumps and other devices through the 32 digital I/O lines offered in the company's 7330 series and 7340 series of motion controllers, or the 64 digital lines I/O offered in the 7350 series of motion controllers.