Controlling SCF4 with G-code commands explanation and usage examples

Axis description

Driver support bipolar stepper motors for 3 axes. They are named A/B/C and usually have defined function:

• A - zoom
• B - focus
• C - aperture

Resources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-code

$S - Return version string

Command returns version string concentrated into single line [EVB.1.0.2, SCF4-M RevB, Kurokesu, 5DDFF39-3739584E-xxxxxxxx] received information is comma separated:

• EVB.1.0.2 - Module firmware version
• SCF4-M RevB - Module PCB revision
• Kurokesu - Manufacturer Brand
• 5DDFF39-3739584E-xxxxxxxx - Unique serial number

G0 - Rapid positioning

The main motor drive command. It moves motor specified number steps. Any or all axes can be specified at the same time. Minimal step size is 1. G0 command replies as soon as the command is parsed and does not wait until motors stop.

• [G0 A100] - drives A-axis 100 steps
• [G0 A-100] - drives A-axis -100 steps
• [G0 A100 B-100 C1000] - drives all three axes by specified step count

G4 - Wait

Instructs controller to delay (stall) defined interval in milliseconds [ms]. This is an only command which sends response not after parsing command but after prolonged execution time. During this time command parser is blocked and the only way to complete this command is to wait until it finishes.

G90 - Relative coordiantes

Switch to relative coordinate programming mode. Motors can be instructed to turn positive or negative 0 ~ 65535 steps (16-bits). When the counter exceeds this range, it will overflow. And will not affect motor movement.

G91 - Absolute coordiantes

Switch to absolute coordinate programming mode. In this mode, the range is limited by the internal 16-bit motor register and can be operated in a range of 0 ~ 65535.

G92 - Set position

The controller sets an internal counter to the specified value.

• [G92 A0] - Set A axis counter to 0
• [G92 A100] - Set A axis counter to 100
• [G92 A100 B1000 C200] - Set all axis counters to specified counter values

M0 - Compulsory stop

If the controller is not in G4 delay mode it will instruct motors to stop moving

M7 and M8 - Infrared filter switch commands

Instructs controller to shift filter one of two fixed positions

M230 and M231 - normal / forced move

• Default is normal mode in which motors turn instructed step count and stop after
• In forced mode controller does not stop turning motor after specified step count is reached, instead seeks corresponding port PIN_x status state change. Internal step counter may overflow. Motion is stopped when input status changes, M0 or reset command is issued. PIN_x is connected to internal 12bit Analog to Digital Converter (ADC), lower and upper thresholds can be controlled with M232 command

M232 - Set PI low/high detection voltage

Set 12bit comparator values for limit switch detection inputs. Upper voltage is 3.3V, lower - 0V

• A, B, C - set lower threshold values
• E, F, G - set upper threshold values
• [M232 A1242 E2483] - If the input voltage is below ~1V - set flag to 0. If the value is above ~2V, set flag to 1. Everything in between - is hysteresis and does not change the flag. Used to debounce and filter the input signal

M234 - Set motor and DN drive current

Sets motor and coil drive current. Expects 8-bit value.

• [M234 A120 B120 C120 D80] - Set A, B, C stepper motors strength to 120 and IR filter driver to 80

M235 - Set motor idle current

When motors are not moving, idle current can be reduced to eliminate heating and save energy. It is not advised to completely turn off motors as the driver can lose micro-step holding position

• [M234 A50 B50 C50] - Sets A/B/C motors holding current to value 50

M238 and M239 - control output pins

Opto-interrupter LEDs can be controlled by connecting them to PIS_AB and PIS_C pins. They can stay in either state, but some lenses in IR mode can leak light into the sensor so after referencing/calibration procedure is complete it is advised to switch them off

M240 - Set motor drive speed

Each motor can drive at different speeds. Speed is 16-bit register. Register specifies internal timing interval, the lower value is the faster pulse rate will be.

• [M240 A800 B800 C1200] - Set motion speeds for each axis to corsponding value

M241, M242, M243, M244 - advanced timing registers

• These registers control motor driver timing and should not be altered normally, however in some cases it can be necessary to make adjustments. Please seek the support of you have questions

!1 - Return status

Command returns 9 values indicating:

• [4000, 20000, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0] - example output

• A Motor position counter

• B Motor position counter

• C Motor position counter

• A Limit switch status

• B Limit switch status

• C Limit switch status

• A Moving status

• B Moving status

• C Moving status