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Questions tagged [zaber]

Zaber Technologies builds precision linear actuators and other motion control devices that can be controlled through a serial port. They provide libraries and sample code in several languages.

This tag is for questions about writing software to control Zaber's motion control devices. The easiest way to do that is to use the scripting feature in the Zaber Console. It lets you write scripts in any Microsoft.NET language. Also available is a LabVIEW instrument driver, as well as sample code in several other languages. If your favourite language isn't covered, you can implement the serial communication protocol yourself.

Zaber Technologies was founded in 1997 by a group of friends with diverse interests and knowledge of electro-mechanical systems, programming, and physics. They wanted to make motion control products that were easy to set up and ready to use right out of the box, so they created the world's first precision linear actuator with a built-in controller.

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Track position of a Zaber device as it moves

I'm writing a LabVIEW VI to move a Zaber linear actuator, and I want to record the device's position every few milliseconds as it moves. I've installed Zaber's LabVIEW driver and used its examples to get my actuator moving, but how can I read the…
Don Kirkby
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Why doesn't Zaber device show up in dev directory?

My Zaber device is X-MCB2, which is connected to my computer through USB. Command lsusb can show its information as below, but cannot find it in /dev directory. Bus 003 Device 023: ID 2939:495b There is another Arduino device connected to my…
Jeff
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Python, pyserial program for communicating with Zaber TLSR300B

I'm still new here so I apologize if I make any mistakes or if my question is not specific enough, please correct me! I'm working on a program for controlling two Zaber TLSR300B linear motion tracks in a laser lab via a serial connection. I have no…
themericks
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Pause and resume a Zaber Console script

I've written a script using Zaber Console to control a Zaber device that executes several steps in a loop. How can I pause it in the middle of the loop and resume it without having to go back to the start?
Don Kirkby
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How do I hold a specific position using Zaber Console Script?

I am trying to write a simple script using Zaber Console. I basically have to move my robot arm to a certain position (i.e. 43.9mm) hold the position for 10 minutes and go back to the home position. I found all the command for moving (fast/slow and…
Riccardo Urbanet
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Sample C++ code for Zaber devices

It looks like the serial protocol for Zaber devices is pretty simple to implement, but is there any sample code in C++ available?
Don Kirkby
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Error handling with Zaber devices in LabVIEW

When writing a LabVIEW VI to control Zaber devices for a long test, can it recover from errors and continue the test while displaying the error text in a field? The VI is using the Zaber LabVIEW driver.
Don Kirkby
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What is the name of the setting corresponding to the maximal acceleration on my Zaber device axis?

I have a Zaber linear stage for which I'm developing a C++ backend, to integrate it in my framework. I'm using the Zaber API to that effect. Among other things, I need to get some values at runtime, and in particular, some relative to my stage's…
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How do I open the serial port to a Zaber device?

I have a Zaber linear stage for which I'm developing a C++ backend, to integrate it in my framework. I have installed the Zaber API by following the instructions from the Zaber webpage. The installer actually generates the dll, lib, and headers…
MacroController
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Using C# to program a zaber stage but getting null variable error in my code for "var speed"

using System; using Zaber.Motion; using Zaber.Motion.Ascii; namespace ZaberMotion { class Program { static Axis x_axis; static Device device1; public static void Main(string[] args) { …
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Track position of Zaber device while moving

I am using a Zaber linear stage controlled by an Arduino using the Zaber shield. I try to do something similar to this question (Track position of a Zaber device as it moves), but using the Arduino language instead of Labview. In the answer 3…
Henry
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Diagnose communication problems with a Zaber device

When I write software to control Zaber devices, I sometimes get strange behaviour that I don't understand. Usually it's caused by bugs in my script or other software, and sometimes it's a hardware problem like a loose connection on the serial…
Don Kirkby
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Coordinating a Zaber device's movement with sensor readings

I have written a script in Zaber Console to control my stages, but now I want to take some sensor readings during the movement. I want to move the stages, take a reading, and then move the stages again. Sometimes the sensor readings will affect the…
Don Kirkby
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Unexpected responses from Zaber devices in LabVIEW

When using Zaber's LabVIEW driver to control their devices, it sometimes returns strange responses to commands. For example, sending the Move Absolute command might return a Set Target Speed response or a Manual Move Tracking response, instead of…
Don Kirkby
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Script Zaber devices on multiple serial ports

Is it possible to connect Zaber devices to more than one serial port and control them all from a single script? The script is running in Zaber Console, and should be able to coordinate motion between devices on either port.
Don Kirkby
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