The LabVIEW SoftMotion Module (no longer sold by NI) was an add-on for LabVIEW that helped with the control of motors and drives using high-level commands and develop custom motion applications using NI real-time and FPGA.
The SoftMotion Drive Interface (SDI) is the solution NI developed to standardize communication with third-party EtherCAT motor drives. Conventional communication with an EtherCAT-capable motor drive is done by reading and writing commands to PDO and SDO memory registers on a drive. The SDI takes care of this low-level communication to PDO and SDO registers for you, and allows you to focus on the high-level control aspects of your application using the SoftMotion API. SDI Plug-ins contain all the necessary components to add the EtherCAT drive to your LabVIEW Project and control the drive using SoftMotion.
The table below lists the EtherCAT motor drives compatible with SDI. Only the single-axis variant of each drive is supported.
SDI also requires the use of a controller that supports EtherCAT and LabVIEW Real-Time. This includes CompactRIO, CompactDAQ, PXI, and Industrial Controllers with LabVIEW Real-Time. For a more comprehensive list, refer to SoftMotion Compatibility with LabVIEW Real-Time Controllers.
You can download SDI Plug-ins from the NI Tools Network. The SDI framework was introduced with SoftMotion 2014 SP1 and newer, although some plug-ins require later versions of LabVIEW and SoftMotion. Plug-ins install as VI Packages through the VI Package Manager. SDI Plug-ins are hosted on the LabVIEW Tools Network, and the currently supported list of NI's Drive Partners is below.
| Vendor Name | Vendor Drive Model | SDI Plug-in Link | Minimum Software Set Version |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch-Rexroth | IndraDrive Cs, C, M, Mi, ML | Install | 2016 |
| Copley Controls | Accelnet Plus Stepnet Plus Xenus Plus Xenus Plus Compact | Install | 2016 |
| Delta Products Corporation | ASDA-A2 | Install | 2016 |
| Dunkermotoren GmbH | BG EC | Install | 2016 |
| Elmo Motion Control | Gold EtherCAT | Install | 2016 |
| Jenaer Antriebstechnik GmbH | ECOVARIO | Contact Supplier | 2015 |
| Kollmorgen | EtherCAT AKD | Natively Supported | 2010 |
| maxon motor | MAXPOS | Install | 2016 |
| Mitsubishi Electric | MR-J4-TM | Install | 2016 |
| Panasonic | MINAS A5B | Install | 2016 |
| Parker Motion | P Series | Install | 2016 |
| E Series | Install | 2016 | |
| Compax3 | Install | 2016 | |
| Schneider Electric | Lexium 32M Lexium 32i | Install | 2016 |
| Yaskawa | Sigma-7 100/200V | Install | 2016 |
Note: VI Package Manager must be installed to install plug-ins. The Minimum Software Set Version applies to LabVIEW and the LabVIEW SoftMotion Module. For full compatibility notes, see the related link below.