WMX3 uses Softwin patented software motion-control technology to provide motion, fieldbus and engineering functions in one environment. The original product architecture connects a standard PC to distributed drives, I/O and multiple machine mechanisms.
Software configuration
Equipment applications, engineering tools, APIs and deterministic engines share one PC while remaining separated by their execution layer.
01
Windows applications
Customer equipment-control programs and WMX3 engineering tools.
02
Open APIs
WMX3 Motion API and network-management API connect the application to control functions.
03
RTX real-time subsystem
WMX3 motion engine, EtherCAT and other fieldbus engines, plus the NIC driver.
04
Machine network
The NIC connects distributed servo/stepper drives, I/O stations and machine mechanisms.
System composition
The standard environment provides the runtime, development libraries, simulation and configuration tools needed to begin machine application development.
01
WMX3 and RTX installation environment
02
WMX3 and RTX runtime licences
03
Development libraries without a separate application SDK
04
Standard simulation without the physical machine
05
Network configuration and motion-analysis tools
02 / EDITIONS
Function modules and editions
The original WMX3 page distinguishes I/O, Standard and Advanced editions by the included motion modules.
Module
Included function
I/O
Standard
Advanced
WMX3 Engine
System engine for initialization, termination and fieldbus communication
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CoreMotion
Homing, I/O, point-to-point motion, interpolation and synchronization
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Log
Real-time recording and sampling of system, API, command and state data
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Event
Real-time triggering of motion events controlled by the system engine
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AdvancedMotion
Continuous motion, spline, look-ahead, path interpolation and electronic cam
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Compensation
Pitch error, backlash and 2D planar error compensation
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ApiBuffer
Buffered API execution with waits and conditional branches
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CyclicBuffer
Periodic command buffer for user-defined trajectories
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UserMemory
User-defined shared-memory area
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UserDll
User-defined real-time module
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I/O
I/O control functions
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03 / SELECTION
Model selection code
The original ordering code combines software edition, axis count, Windows architecture, real-time cores, fieldbus and optional robot modules.
Selection example
W3ST008–B6R01EC–FFF–R0102–FF
01
Software
W3 — WMX3
02
Edition
WI — Windows · IO — I/O · ST — Standard · AD — Advanced
Optional quantities for four-axis and six-axis robot modules
Reserved fields and current licence combinations should be confirmed with Softwin before ordering.
04 / CAPABILITIES
WMX3 specifications and motion functions
The following specification content is transcribed from the original WMX3 page so it remains readable and searchable.
01
Real-time channels
256 channels; up to 256 parallel real-time tasks
02
I/O capacity
1,450 bytes input and 1,450 bytes output
03
Position commands
Simultaneous command control for up to 128 axes
04
Acceleration profiles
Trapezoidal, S-curve, jerk-limited, two-stage speed and time-specified profiles; quadratic and sine acceleration curves
05
Interpolation
Linear, circular, 3D circular, helical and PVT
06
Trajectory control
Line/arc combinations, spline, configurable segment look-ahead and continuous linear/circular paths with rotation
07
Events
Real-time triggers and actions based on target position, I/O input, motion start and I/O output
08
API buffer
Buffered API execution with conditional waits and branches
09
Position-synchronized output
Real-time I/O output at specified positions; dedicated hardware can provide pulse-level comparison when required
10
Synchronization
Gear ratio, offset, deviation correction and dynamic engage/disengage; one-to-many synchronization up to 64 pairs
11
Electronic cam
Eight cam tables, communication-cycle cam definitions, phase operation and clutch
12
Homing
More than 20 homing types using origin, limit, proximity, external input or mechanical end signals, including gantry homing
13
Compensation
Backlash, pitch error and 2D planar straightness compensation
14
EtherCAT
Class A; CoE, EoE, FoE, SoE, AoE, VoE, distributed clocks, hot-connect and line/star/ring topology; position, velocity and torque modes; 0.125–8 ms cycle with 1 ms standard
05 / ENVIRONMENT
Development and operating environment
The following environment list is retained from the original product page. Confirm current software versions and hardware compatibility with Softwin before deployment.
01
API languages
Native C/C++; .NET languages including C# and VB (.NET Framework 4.0 or later).
02
Development environment
Microsoft Visual Studio 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017; C++ Builder XE7 or later; LabVIEW 2017 and 2018.
03
Recommended environment listed on the original page
Windows 7 32/64-bit or Windows 10 64-bit Enterprise LTSC; Atom 2 GHz dual-core or higher; at least 4 GB memory.
04
EtherCAT slave support
The standard EtherCAT master supports most commercial EtherCAT servo, stepper and I/O slaves; confirm the specific device before use.
06 / TOOLS
Optional modules and engineering tools
WMX3 extends from machine and robot control to network configuration, customer real-time algorithms and trajectory analysis.
01
Robot Control Module
Provides forward and inverse kinematics for industrial robots, closed mechanisms and link offsets, synchronizes multiple robots with automation equipment and supports RBC robot-language programming.
02
EcConfigurator
Configure communication, monitor status, transfer parameters, display topology, diagnose the EtherCAT network and analyse PC real-time performance.
03
Real-time SDK
Develop customer C++ algorithms on RTX, package them as RTDLL modules and integrate them with WMX3 functions. A separate RTX SDK is required.
04
Profile Analyzer
Display or record multi-axis motion in real time, control recording with triggers and analyse multi-axis interpolation trajectories.
