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HPGL interpreter for motion controllers provides economic platform for 2D shaping automation

• free, user-adaptable source code, is written in the Mint motion language

July 28, 2004 --- Baldor has released a free HPGL (Hewlett Packard Graphics Language) interpreter for its range of motion controllers. The utility - which is written in the high-level Mint motion language - reduces the development time of machinery for processing two-dimensional shapes.

The Mint HPGL Interpreter converts HPGL commands on-the-fly into moves and commands for real-time motion control hardware. As HPGL is an industry-standard protocol used in plotters and printers - and widely supported by low-cost graphics and CAD software - the utility gives users a very economic basis for creating machinery for applications such as cutting, routing, engraving, etching, sign-making and glue-laying.

The interpreter is written using the high level Mint motion language, and provided as source code - allowing users to adapt the software easily for application-specific needs such as adapting the control of the pen or Z axis to accommodate a tool like a laser cutting head or a driven axis such as a tangential knife blade. To aid system integrators and automation engineers, the areas of the code that can be modified are documented with searchable comments.

The utility runs on motion controllers from the NextMove family, which offers users a choice of five different platforms ranging from low-cost board-level controllers, to ready-to-use, panel-mounting modules.

The NextMove range includes motion controllers with standard serial ports or USB ports for interfacing to hosts. NextMove controllers will accept HPGL programs of any length. The interpreter is optimised for fast operation, and users can also set the size of the memory for buffering HPGL commands - providing a further means of tuning performance for any application.

The new software complements Baldor's recent MintNC software introduction, which provides a complete toolkit for PC-hosted contouring/profiling machinery, that will import information in industry-standard CAD formats including G-code, HPGL and DXF.

For More Information:

Download datasheet and sample code

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