Yaskawa Compass

Yes, I, J, K for circle mode is supported.

It depends on the application, and also on the group mechanism configured in the MotionWorks IEC Pro Hardware Configuration. For most systems described below, axes can be operated by more than one motor in a shared load (prime axis) configuration, which is supported and transparent to a Compass solution.

G-Codes X Y Z A B C and E are linked to world space Cartesian and Rotational axes, E is linked to the active extruder when configured as a 3D Printer. The use of a machine requiring A and B rotational motion requires an MP3000iec series controller ending in part number –ER. -ER release is expected Summer 2020 with UL certification

For 3D printing, typically a three-axis gantry plus up to three extruders can be configured.

For Milling, typically a three-axis gantry plus auxiliary axes for tangent and up to three spindles can be configured.

Any group configured in the MotionWorks IEC Pro Hardware Configuration can be controlled by Compass and G-Code.
Because the Compass solution is highly customizable, any number of additional (typically unsynchronized) axes can be added and customized for operations outside of the traditional G-Code use case, only limited by the number of axes the MP3000iec series controller can support. MP3000iec series controller can support up to 62 axes.

Compass was designed to be screen resolution-independent, but ideally, the resolution is 1920x1080.

Compass will run on virtually any resolution, the screen panels scale based on the window size, but sometimes there maybe font or other display issues during extreme scaling conditions such as 1024 x 720. Compass is also designed to support portrait mode.

• 1.6 GHz CPU, 4 GB memory, mainly a requirement of the operating system
• 1280x1024 display or higher resolution mounted horizontal or vertical
• Any modern hard drive size is sufficient. Flash drive / non-moving mechanism
  recommended
• 100 BaseT Ethernet connection

More information can be found in Doc# AN.MWIEC.06.

It’s unlimited because the file is streamed from the PC to the controller as the part is processed. The Toolbox side of the Compass solution on the MP3000iec series controller was designed to hold up to 500 instructions in a circular buffer.

Yes, a PC with Windows 10 OS is required. There also needs to be a network connection between the MPiec controller and the PC.

User Dialogs can be used in many different scenarios for OEMs to create custom responses for different application states.  Here is one example. If there is a sensor used as a digital input to the controller to indicate when the filament is running low for a 3D Printer, a User Dialog would prompt when the input triggers. There could then be two options to proceed from the User Dialog using the checkmark (OK) or X (cancel) button on the dialog. If the checkmark (OK) button is clicked, it will put the machine in a paused state. Conversely, if the X (cancel) button is pressed instead, it allows the G Code to keep executing if a G Code file is currently being run in Auto Mode. The above is just one example of the many ways the User Dialogs can be utilized.

To change the units used in the Position Display navigate to the Machine Configuration page, drop down cartesian axes, check the box for Override and choose your preferred units to be used in the Position Display.

To change the units of your commands in a G Code file you can either execute a G20 (set commands to be in inches) or a G21 (set commands to be in mm). It is common that a G Code file will specify G20 or G21 at the beginning of the file.

One key benefit of Compass is the OEM branding. Typically, OEMs who already own their custom front end may find their front end outdated and difficult to support. Yaskawa Compass provides OEMs with a complete and flexible solution while giving them the ability to maintain their own unique branding.

Not specifically, but it could be designed. The MotionWorks IEC Pro project can be customized to interface with a physical pendant and the Compass software at the same time. If you have a specific pendant in mind, please let us know and we can evaluate.

Yes, XML files and or DLLs can be updated. Password restrictions may be applied by the OEM.  

Currently, Yaskawa’s MP3300 can interface to plasma power supplies via discrete IO or serial communications.

The best way is to keep multiple renamed copies of the config.XML file in the C:\ProgramData\Yaskawa\Compass\Config folder. Using this strategy, various designs can be experimented with before choosing a final design without having to completely reconfigure each time. A backup_Config.XML file is saved in that folder location each time Compass saves a configuration.

No, but we provide component version compatibility in the release notes and in the Implementation guide (Doc# AN.MPIEC.27).

Compass is PC based for Windows 10 or Windows 7. It is not designed to be run on a traditional HMI.

Now, effective May 4, 2020. Visit https://www.yaskawa.com/compass to learn more.

Yes, one runtime license per machine is required. Yaskawa Compass is freely downloaded for demonstration and development purposes at https://www.yaskawa.com/compass. Specifications can be found in Doc# AN.MWIEC.06.

One of the contacts connected to the function block MC_MovePath.Abort input must go high.

Yes, any datatype can be used, including 64 bit LREAL.

Compass is designed to be the software interface to the MPiec for G-Code applications. Yaskawa Compass supports C# plugins, plugins can be imported.  

Compass can be used with custom mechanisms that use a world coordinate system. Custom mechanisms would be used through our SyncGroupToGroup function block via a nD Gantry that has virtual axes and the custom mechanism would use a custom group where motion is controlled via kinematic equations to determine position commands. These position commands are then input to a Y_GroupDirectControl function block (inside SyncGroupToGroup).

Please refer to Doc# AN.MWIEC.06.

OEMs typically suggest preferences to the end customer. We have posted files through Simplfy3D and Autodesk. 

The MPiec Toolbox side of the Compass solution has provision to synchronize a digital or analog output with the TCP path.  Something like a series of G1 X5 Y5 G444 V123.5 can be used where the G444 is a custom code to set a laser output along this path segment and the laser intensity value is specified by parameter V.

Yaskawa Compass is intended to be a complete front-end solution for advanced manufacturing applications. Therefore, components like DLLs and M/G code interpreter are not meant to be provided separately. This means that OEMs can save time and money by relying on the flexibility and customization of Yaskawa Compass without having to manually piece together their own front end solution. As such, Yaskawa Compass is sold as a complete solution and a license purchase is required for unlimited use.

MP3300iec controller is required to debug, no software simulation is offered at this time. 

For evaluating and developing in Compass, no license is required. The software will run for 20 hours of machine motion before a license is required. A license is required for each machine on which Compass is installed. Learn more at: https://www.yaskawa.com/compass.

Template project requires MotionWorks IEC Pro, PLCopenPart4 support requires MP3000iec series controllers.

Yes, requires MP3300iec controller with part number ending in -ER. -ER is scheduled to be released with UL certification Summer 2020. 

Yes, G20 / G21 will change the units on all panels.

Yes, this can be done now by customizing the Template project. 

Yes, this feature will be available the 1.1 Compass release.

Yes, it is a basic starting point mainly to provide the operational link between Compass software and the motion features of the controller. Any additional machine features require that the OEM add code to support extra features, such as temperature controllers, spindles, etc.