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Motion control language moves to a multi-tasking platform

01 April, 2001

Motion control language moves to a multi-tasking platform

Baldor has released a new version of its Mint motion programming language which, for the first time, supports multi-tasking. This allows programs to be split into modules with different programmers working simultaneously on different aspects, such as motion, HMI and I/O tasks. In some applications, it will cut costs by allowing one Mint controller to manage several stations.

Mint-mt boasts several other enhancements including the rewriting of the programming language in a "virtual machine" environment which allows OEMs to save time by re-using software modules in different applications. Programming clarity is said to be improved by the introduction of a browser-like file window that provides a simple tree-structured display of sub-routines, tasks and events.

The new version of Mint is said to be two to three times faster than the previous Version 4, resulting in a higher throughput in many applications. Mark Crocker, Baldor UK`s technical director, says the company is hoping to boost this to a five-fold improvement "within months".

Mint-mt is compatible with existing Baldor NextMove and MintDrive OEM and standalone controllers and can be retrofitted by downloading it into the controllers` SRAM or Flash EPROM memories. It will be available for the NextMove PCI and BX in May and on the MintDrive II in July.

The free retrofit software can be requested by sending an email to mint-mt@baldor.co.uk.