Axis Motion Software

National Instruments (Austin, TX) released NI Motion Assistant 2.0 interactive software for prototyping single- and multi-axis motion control systems. Motion profiles from CAD and drafting programs can be imported using a DXF file format, and the software facilitates the implementation of profiles in NI CompactRIO programmable automation controllers or generation of code for PCI/PXI plug-in motion controllers. After saving a motion profile as a DXF file in a CAD or drafting program, the software can be used to import the profile and save motion-specific commands in an XML file format without writing additional code. Also featured is smart contouring and a graphical, point-and-click interface with 3D visualization capabilities for creating motion control applications using stepper, servo, and piezo actuators.