National Instruments PCI-7342

National Instruments PCI-7342 Motion Controller Device

Featured with a real-time embedded OS and multiaxis interpolation, the National Instruments PCI-7342 (Part Number: 778916-02) is a 2-axis Motion Controller Device for servo/stepper motors.  This model offers fully coordinated gearing, linear, and circular control. For complex moves, it can also provide a contouring capability. The integrated CPU uses an embedded operating system with event-oriented multitasking control. With this configuration, multiple motion control programs can be operated by the Controller efficiently without any lags and with zero outside interaction unless initiated by the user or host program. The device has a PID update rate of 62.5 to 500 µs/sample, and a maximum step frequency of 4 MHz. It has an encoder input rate of 20 MHz, and has a power consumption of 5.7 W.

The NI PCI-7342 has 32 digital I/O channels. Each of these general purpose I/O lines can be accessed through a separate, dedicated digital I/O connector (68-pin). The 32-bit digital I/O port is configured as four 8-bit digital I/O ports. All digital I/O lines on this Motion Controller have programmable polarity and direction. Each output circuit can source and sink up to 24 mA. This model offers two PWM (pulse width modulation) outputs through its digital I/O connector. These PWM outputs are used to generate software controller periodic waveforms, and have a frequency of 32 kHz each.

Though the RTSI connector provided, quick synchronization with other PCI based compatible devices can be achieved quickly. The PCI-7342 and various other RTSI-capable devices can be connected by means of a ribbon cable. This Controller allows users to implement a maximum of eight RTSI trigger lines as breakpoint outputs or as trigger inputs. The NI device operates using the NI-Motion driver software. It weighs around 170 g, measures 6.9 x 3.9 in. in dimensions, and consumes 5.7 Watts of power while operating in the standard configuration.

Each NI PCI-7342 requires:

-MID-7602 Stepper Motor Drive: 778003-01 and 778003-05

-MID-7652 Servo Motor Drive: 778004-01 and 778004-05

-SHC68-C68-S 0.5 m Cable: 186380-0R5

-UMI-7774 Universal Motion Interface: 778558-01

PCI-7342 End of Life Status has been announced by National Instruments, but will still be available for purchase and repairs by Apex Waves.