Diagnostic Mode

What’s on this page

  • Connect Motors / Disconnect Motors enables motor control hardware.
  • Start Diagnostic / Stop Diagnostic toggles recorded diagnostic sessions.
  • Home Motors returns tilt/angle to zero reference.
  • Override opens override mode with extended slider and graph ranges.
  • Spin, Tilt, Angle sliders plus increment/decrement buttons command motors.
  • Spin/Tilt/Angle graphs show commanded values and encoder traces.
  • Temperature / Current graph buttons open sensor graph dialogs.
  • Save submits recorded session data; Analyze opens Analysis Mode.
  • SmartDot Connect panel scans/connects SmartDot and streams sensor data (see SmartDot Connect Widget and General SmartDot Help).

How to use this page

  • On the left side are three graphs, one per motor axis.

  • Each graph shows instruction values and encoder-based feedback.

    • Angle and tilt currently do not have active encoders, so their encoder traces read 0 with real motors.

  • Below each graph are labels that show the current instruction and encoder value numerically.

  • Below the labels are slider controls for each motor.

  • The arrow buttons step values in discrete increments:

    • Spin steps by 10 RPM.
    • Angle and tilt step by 1°.

  • Use the arrow buttons for precise changes.

  • Normal operating ranges are:

    • Spin: 0 to 600 RPM
    • Angle: -45° to 45°
    • Tilt: -22° to 22°

  • Bottom controls include:

    • Connect Motors / Disconnect Motors
    • Start Diagnostic / Stop Diagnostic
    • Home Motors

  • To move the motors, press Connect Motors first.

  • This does not start data collection.

  • After setting initial motor conditions, connect SmartDot using the SmartDot Connect Widget.

  • Press Start Diagnostic to begin data collection.

  • Press the same button again to stop data collection.

  • Current and temperature values are shown in the lower-left area.

  • These readouts are currently implemented for the primary motor channel.

  • See General SmartDot Help for SmartDot workflow guidance.

  • See Motor and SmartDot Graph Widget for graph behavior and color keys.

Override Mode

  • Override Mode is for debugging only. Improper use can damage the device.

  • When Override Mode is active, keep one hand on E-Stop at all times.

  • In Override Mode, angle and tilt ranges can extend to ±360°.

  • Do not use large uncontrolled slider sweeps. You can burn out motors if you are not careful.

  • Spin can reach up to 1200 RPM.

  • Low-speed compensation causes instability above 900 RPM. Watch thumb grips and clearances carefully.