fullmo Kickdrive (now developed by Kickdrive Software Solutions) is a powerful PC-based rapid prototyping, commissioning, and test software for CAN and CANopen industrial drive systems. It is widely used to configure, diagnose, and create custom user interfaces (HMIs) for servo drives like fullmo’s MovingCap series or any third-party drive following the CiA402 standard.
Mastering Kickdrive involves moving through initial hardware setup, mastering its object dictionary tools, and utilizing advanced automation. 1. Hardware Connection & Initial Setup
To establish communication, you must correctly map your physical PC-to-CAN interface.
Connect Hardware: Plug your CAN interface (such as a fullmo USB2drive or a PEAK-System PCAN-USB) into your PC. Always wire your nodes completely before connecting to the PC to prevent electrical damage.
Start an Easy Project: Launch fullmo Kickdrive and select CANopen Nodes Easy Setup from the project templates.
Initialize the Interface: Navigate to the CAN Interface tab. Set your Communication Port (e.g., peak or usb2drive) and choose the network baud rate (typically 500K or 1M). Click Start Interface; the status bar should turn green and read Running.
Scan for Nodes: Use the Baud/Node Scan utility. The tool sends a CANopen network reset to detect all active Node IDs connected to the bus.
2. Configuring Drive Parameters (Mastering the Object Dictionary)
Once your nodes are online, you interact with them through their internal configurations.
Unlock Expert Privileges: Many core drive settings are hidden behind user levels. Click the User Level dropdown in the toolbar, select Expert, and enter the default password expert to unhide protected parameter modules.
Load Device Profile (EDS/XDD): Import the electronic data sheet (.eds or .xdd) provided by your drive manufacturer to display descriptive names for object indices.
Read/Write Objects: Use the integrated Object Editor to view and modify Service Data Objects (SDOs). You can export actual running configuration values straight to .csv or .txt templates for backup.
Configure CiA402 Motion Modes: Set up the drive’s operational behavior by modifying indices for Profile Position, Profile Velocity, or Homing modes. 3. Monitoring & Advanced Diagnostics
Kickdrive includes embedded visualization tools that prevent you from needing external network analyzers.
CAN Monitor & Trace: Open the Monitor area to view raw CAN frames in real time. Use smart filters to target specific Node IDs, and log streams to .txt files for offline debugging.
Oscilloscope & Data Logger: For tuning motor control loops, open the Oscilloscope module. It captures rapid SDO/PDO data sampling. Set custom triggers (e.g., when a velocity threshold is crossed) to graph and analyze current, error, or tracking lags. 4. Custom HMIs and Automation (The “Mastery” Level)
The true power of the full-featured Kickdrive Plus edition lies in creating standalone service apps for clients. Kickdrive – PC Software in Motion
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