T-Series/Manual control of motion products/A-Series Devices

Manual Control

Without connecting to a computer, Zaber's motion products can be manually controlled via a knob. A-Series products are integrated with a depressible knob with 20 detents per revolution.

There are two manual movement modes available. You can toggle between the two modes by holding down the knob for 1 sec or via Set Knob Movement Mode (Cmd 109).

Velocity Mode

• Turn the knob clockwise to move the device in the positive direction (extend), counter-clockwise for negative direction (retract).
• Each detent of the knob increases the speed of the carriage.
• There are 16 speeds in each direction. The velocity profile and maximum speed can be configured via Set Knob Velocity Profile (Cmd 112) and Set Knob Velocity Scale (Cmd 111).
• The device stops and resets the knob upon arriving at the end of travel.

Displacement Mode

• Turn the knob clockwise to move the device in the positive direction (extend), counter-clockwise for negative direction (retract).
• Each detent of the knob moves the device a fixed number of microsteps, specified by Set Knob Jog Size (Cmd 110).
• The device moves at the speed specified by Set Target Speed (Cmd 42), or the slower of Target Speed and Home Speed if the device has not been homed.
• The device stops at the end of travel if the number of microsteps left in the set range is less than the requested number.

Summary of knob functionality:

Turning the knob

Moves the device in the direction of knob turn

Pressing the knob

Decelerates and stops the device (identical to a Stop command)

Instantly stops the device, if the device is already decelerating

Pressing and holding the knob for 1 sec

Toggle between Velocity Mode and Displacement Mode

Requirements for using Manual Control without a Computer

After each power up, you must retract the device completely to home the device. You will not be able to extend the device past the power up position unless you have first retracted it completely to set the home position.