This process uses Python, with the pyUSB module and the libusb-compat backend. The script launches a console type interface, which accepts valid NewPort style commands (see bottom of page).
Note This script has only been tested with a single closed-loop Picomotor controller (model 8745).
Install Homebrew and Python
Follow the steps at this guide for setting up Python and homebrew. You'll need homebrew to install the USB backend, and Python 2.7.x to run my code.
$ brew install libusb-compat
$ pip install pyusb
Launch the code by typing the following into terminal
$ python newport.py
You should see this prompt open up, asking you to identify the motor to connect to.
####################################################################### # Python controller for NewFocus Picomotor Controller ####################################################################### Run the following command in a new terminal window: $ system_profiler SPUSBDataType Enter Product ID: >
In another terminal window, query the connected USB devices with system_profiler SPUSBDataType. You're looking for a similar connection to this one:
USB 3.0 Hi-Speed Bus: Host Controller Location: Built-in USB Host Controller Driver: AppleUSBXHCI PCI Device ID: 0x1e31 PCI Revision ID: 0x0004 PCI Vendor ID: 0x8086 Bus Number: 0x0a Picomotor Controller: Product ID: 0x4000 Vendor ID: 0x104d Version: 1.00 Serial Number: 12345678 Speed: Up to 12 Mb/sec Manufacturer: New Focus Location ID: 0x14200000 / 6 Current Available (mA): 500 Current Required (mA): Unknown (Device has not been configured)
Enter your controller's Product ID and Vendor ID. The script should find the device and report back the connected motors. Try it out by sending a command to move one of these motors.
############################################################################### # Python controller for NewFocus Picomotor Controller ################################################################################ Run the following command in a new terminal window: $ system_profiler SPUSBDataType Enter Product ID: > 0x4000 Enter Vendor ID: > 0x104d Connected to Motor Controller Model 8742. Firmware Version 2.2 08/01/13 Motor #1: 'Standard' Motor Motor #2: No motor connected Motor #3: No motor connected Motor #4: No motor connected Picomotor Command Line --------------------------- Enter a valid NewFocus command, or 'quit' to exit the program. Common Commands: xMV[+-]: .....Indefinitely move motor 'x' in + or - direction ST: .....Stop all motor movement xPRnn: .....Move motor 'x' 'nn' steps Input > 1MV+ Input > ST Input >
For a full list of commands on the 8745 controller, see section 6.2 in the user manual
Note Not all of these have been tested, and there are undoubtedly some bugs.
Once you have the Product ID and Vendor ID, you can write these directly into the python script, so you don't have to re-enter them every time you start the program.
Inside newport.py
if __name__ == '__main__': print('\n\n') print('#'*80) print('#\tPython controller for NewFocus Picomotor Controller') print('#'*80) print('\n') idProduct = None #'0x4000' idVendor = None #'0x104d' if not (idProduct or idVendor): print('Run the following command in a new terminal window:') print('\t$ system_profiler SPUSBDataType\n') print('Enter Product ID:') idProduct = raw_input('> ') print('Enter Vendor ID:') idVendor = raw_input('> ') print('\n')
Replace the None after idProduct and idVendor with your Product ID and Vendor ID. When the script runs in the future, it won't prompt you for these values.