Cycle Time

Auto Mode

Auto mode is enabled when the 'Auto' checkbox is checked in the System Power frame on the Main form Power view. When in Auto mode, the Cycle Time input field is locked, and the calculated Cycle Time is displayed.

In Auto mode, the program takes the maximum cycle time for all axes. So in a 3 axis system, where the Axis 1, 2 & 3 sequences are 3.5s, 10.0s and 4.6s respectively, the program will use a Cycle Time of 10.0s from Axis 2. Each time a Sequence is changed, the maximum Cycle Time value is recalculated automatically.

Manual Mode

When the 'Auto' checkbox is not checked, the Cycle Time input field is unlocked, and any Cycle Time value greater than zero can be entered.

Use the Manual mode to perform quick scenario analysis for different Cycle Times without having to change axis sequences.

Note: When the Cycle Time is less than an axis sequence, the RMS, continuous and average/mean calculations are performed using the entire sequence, but divided by the specified Cycle Time. Put another way, the program considers all the work done in the sequence as though it is completed in the specified Cycle Time.

In a multi-axis system, sometimes one axis sequence is shorter than another. This is handled in one of two ways - "Maintain last state" or "Repeat".

Maintain Last State

The program extends the shorter sequence under the same conditions as when the sequence ended. For example, if the Axis 1 & 2 sequences are 3.5s and 10.s respectively, and Axis 1 finishes with a motor holding torque of 5Nm at 3.5s, then the program adds a dwell of 6.5s (10-3.5 = 6.5s) with 5Nm a the motor. This in turn requires the appropriate inverter output current and power, and drawdown from the bus (if unregulated), and then draw from the supply power if needed.

Repeat

Shorter sequences are repeated up to the system cycle time. If the last repeat cannot fit into the cycle time, it is cut-off at the cycle time.