obstruction clears (that is the obstructing vehicle moves, the node becomes ready, or the path
becomes available) the obstructed vehicle is free to complete its order.
A vehicle is defined as being hindered when there is no known obstruction keeping the vehi-
cle from moving, but the vehicle is not moving towards its destination. This lack of progress is
typically due to an unknown obstruction (something having fallen onto the track) or friction
within the system that cannot be overcome. Once the jam has been cleared, typically by out-
side intervention, the vehicle is free to complete its order and any vehicles it has obstructed
are free to complete their orders. Other causes of a vehicle being unable to move that are con-
sidered a jam are:
•
A vehicle is commanded to move with a velocity of zero.
•
A vehicle is commanded to move with an effective PID set equal to zero.
Vehicle Length Through Curves and Switches
The width of the vehicles is not defined in the Node Controller Configuration File. To make
sure that multiple vehicles can move on curved sections of the transport system without col-
liding, the vehicle length must be defined longer than it actually is to account for the width of
the vehicle in a curve. The value of the defined length must be calculated using basic trigo-
nometry, see the MagneMover LITE Configurator User Manual, MMI-UM008.
NOTE: If the actual length and width of the vehicle (puck) with a custom fixture is the same
or smaller as the puck top: 62 mm x 62 mm; then the defined length of the vehicle
(puck) in the configuration file must be 77 mm to make sure of proper spacing in a
curve.
Locating Vehicles During Startup
The node controller scans for the magnet array on the vehicles starting from the upstream end
of a path and scanning towards the downstream end of the path. When the node controller
detects a magnet array (vehicle), it assigns the vehicle (puck) a Vehicle ID. The node control-
ler then continues scanning for vehicles until it locates a new one.
The NC continues to scan until all vehicles detected have been assigned a vehicle ID. This
scanning could take several seconds to several minutes depending on how many vehicles are
on a path.
Once a vehicle ID is assigned, it remains with that vehicle until the vehicle is removed from
the MagneMover LITE transport system, the vehicle is deleted, or a Reset is issued for the
path. Vehicles are removed via a Terminus Node or deleted with a Delete Vehicle command.
Moving Vehicles by Hand
Only move vehicles on the MagneMover LITE transport system using the MM LITE motors
in the system. If there is an event that requires moving the vehicles by hand, the guidelines
that are provided here must be followed.
MagneMover LITE User Manual
Rockwell Automation Publication MMI-UM002F-EN-P - October 2022
Operation
Theory of Operation
323
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