METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASYNCHRONOUS MULTI-AXIS SERVO PATH PLANNING

A motion controller includes an input for receiving data corresponding to moves in a cycle of a multi-axis machine. The controller controls electric motors of the machine in accordance with positions set forth in a path planning table. The path planning table is generated from the data by applying a curve defining equation and integrating an alpha variable therein. The alpha variable corresponds to a velocity to acceleration ratio and is adjustable to allow the calculation of a new path planning table having a velocity and acceleration profile shifted from an initial velocity and acceleration profile to allow for optimization of motor performance. A method of path planning having user tunable parameters is also provided.