libximc

This is a python binding for libximc - cross-platform library for Standa 8SMC5-USB motor controllers.

Libximc manages hardware using interfaces: USB 2.0, RS232 and Ethernet, also uses a common and proven virtual serial port interface, so you can work with motor control modules through this library under Windows and Linux. macOS isn't supported yet.

This library also supports virtual devices. So you can make some tests without real hardware.

Installation

pip install libximc

Minimal new API example

import time
import libximc.highlevel as ximc

# Virtual device will be used by default.
# In case you have real hardware, set correct device URI here

device_uri = r"xi-emu:///ABS_PATH/virtual_controller.bin"  # Virtual device
# device_uri = r"xi-com:\\.\COM111"                        # Serial port
# device_uri = "xi-tcp://172.16.130.155:1820"              # Raw TCP connection
# device_uri = "xi-net://192.168.1.120/abcd"               # XiNet connection

axis = ximc.Axis(device_uri)
axis.open_device()

print("Launch movement...")
axis.command_right()

time.sleep(3)

print("Stop movement")
axis.command_stop()

print("Disconnect device")
axis.close_device()  # It's also called automatically by the garbage collector, so explicit closing is optional

print("Done")

Full new API example

See Colab notebook for full example: https://colab.research.google.com/drive/1xJawpc-0CIZLDlwkefzSgWrAyBVSlaMl

Detailed view on new API

We are glad to introduce new libximc highlevel API! You can access it via:

import libximc.highlevel as ximc

New API principles

• All controller related functions are methods of an Axis class:

  # Axis constructor takes device URI as string (not bytes)
  axis = ximc.Axis("xi-emu:///home/user/virtual-device.bin")
  axis.device_open()  # Note: device must be opened manually
  
  axis.command_move(10, 0)
  
  # Note: device closing, axis.close_device(), is performed automatically by the garbage collector.
  

  Other libximc functions can be accessed via ximc itself, e.g. ximc.ximc_version().

• As you could notice, there is no need to pass device_id to the commands any more. Axis class does it internally.

• You don't need to pass the calibration_t structure to the *_calb functions. Instead, set calibrations via axis.set_calb(A, MicrostepMode) and then use any *_calb function:

  axis.set_calb(0.048, ximc.MicrostepMode.MICROSTEP_MODE_FRAC_256)
  
  axis.command_move_calb(12.3)
  

• All flags' enumerations are placed in ximc. For example, to get EnumerationFlags use ximc.EnumerateFlags.<desired-flag>.

• All C-legacy exit status codes are transformed to Python exceptions.

• In case you want to get any available data structure from the controller, you don't need to create an empty data structure and pass it to corresponding function. Instead, use single-line instruction, like:

  # Example for move_settings. You can use your desired get_*() command
  move_settings = axis.get_move_settings()
  

• ximc.enumerate_devices() returns list of dictionaries containing information about found devices. Hint: to get full information about devices, use flag ximc.EnumerationFlags.EnumerateFlags.ENUMERATE_PROBE:

  # Get full information while enumerating
  ximc.enumerate_devices(ximc.EnumerateFlags.ENUMERATE_PROBE)
  

• Manufactures-only functions aren't supported.

• Logging functions aren't supported.

I want to use the old version. What should I do?

If you want to use the old API (lowlevel libximc), don't worry. Just

import libximc.lowlevel as ximc  # Such an import provides you with the old version of the libximc binding

More information

• Libximc library documentation: https://libximc.xisupport.com/doc-en/index.html

• Standa 8SMC5 motor controller user manual: https://doc.xisupport.com/en/8smc5-usb/

• Standa website: https://www.standa.lt/

If you have faced any issues while using the library and you have no idea how to solve them, contact technical support via:

• Website: en.xisupport.com
• E-mail: 8smc4@standa.lt
• Telegram: @SMC5TechSupport
• WhatsApp: +1 (530) 584 4117