Comprehensive Product Summary – CONTEC API‑SMC(PC)WIN Windows Device Driver

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### 1. Product Overview

Product Name: API‑SMC(PC)WIN
Model / Article Number: API‑SMC(PC)WIN
Series: API‑PAC Software Driver Series
Manufacturer: CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Product Type: Windows 3.1x Device Driver for Motor Control Boards
Supported Hardware: SMC‑2P(PCI), SMC‑3(PC), SMC‑4P(PCI)

The CONTEC API‑SMC(PC)WIN is a dedicated Windows 3.1x device driver designed to enable seamless operation of CONTEC’s SMC‑series motion control boards. It provides a standardized software interface for controlling stepper and servo motors under the Windows environment, forming part of CONTEC’s API‑PAC family of industrial automation and measurement software tools. The driver integrates with CONTEC’s hardware ecosystem, offering developers a unified programming interface for motion control applications in laboratory, manufacturing, and automation systems.

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### 2. Key Features

- Windows 3.1x Compatibility: Specifically developed for legacy Windows 3.1x systems, ensuring stable operation in industrial environments still utilizing older control platforms.
- Supported Hardware: Fully compatible with CONTEC’s SMC‑2P(PCI), SMC‑3(PC), and SMC‑4P(PCI) motor control boards.
- Comprehensive Motion Control: Enables precise control of stepper and servo motors, including point‑to‑point (PTP) motion, jogging, and origin return operations.
- Multi‑Axis Synchronization: Supports simultaneous control of multiple axes, allowing continuous interpolation across N axes for coordinated motion.
- Bank Motion Function: Provides high‑speed control using pre‑defined motion patterns, improving throughput in repetitive motion sequences.
- Event‑Driven Operation: Offers event functions for motion completion, error detection, and synchronization, facilitating responsive control logic.
- Setup and Diagnostic Utilities: Includes configuration and diagnostic tools for easy setup, troubleshooting, and verification of hardware and software operation.
- Integration with API‑PAC Framework: Shares a unified API structure with other CONTEC drivers (analog, digital, counter, GPIB, serial), simplifying multi‑device integration.
- Ease of Development: Provides a consistent DLL‑based API for use in multiple programming languages, reducing development time for custom motion control applications.
- Backward Compatibility: Maintains compatibility with earlier CONTEC driver architectures, ensuring smooth migration from older systems.

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### 3. Technical Specifications

| Parameter | Specification |
|----------------|-------------------|
| Supported Operating System | Microsoft Windows 3.1x |
| Supported Hardware | SMC‑2P(PCI), SMC‑3(PC), SMC‑4P(PCI) |
| Control Type | Stepper and Servo Motor Control |
| Maximum Boards Controllable | Up to 16 boards per system |
| Motion Modes | Point‑to‑Point (PTP), Jogging, Origin Return, Bank Motion |
| Axis Synchronization | Multi‑axis continuous interpolation (N‑axis) |
| Interface Type | PCI and ISA bus |
| Driver Format | Windows DLL (Dynamic Link Library) |
| Configuration Utility | Included setup wizard for board parameter initialization |
| Diagnostic Utility | Included for hardware/software verification |
| Event Functions | Motion complete, error, synchronization, and interrupt events |
| Programming Interface | API‑based function calls via Win32 API (DLL) |
| Language Support | Visual Basic, Visual C/C++, Borland C++ Builder, Delphi (depending on OS version) |
| Compliance | IEEE‑488.2 (for communication consistency within API‑PAC family) |
| Distribution | Included with CONTEC SMC‑series boards or downloadable from CONTEC’s global portal |

Physical dimensions and weight are determined by the associated hardware boards (SMC‑2P, SMC‑3, SMC‑4P) rather than the driver itself.

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### 4. Functionality

The API‑SMC(PC)WIN driver acts as an intermediary between the Windows operating system and CONTEC’s SMC motion control boards. It translates high‑level motion commands into low‑level hardware instructions, enabling precise control of stepper and servo motors.

Core Functional Functions:
- Positioning Control: Executes absolute and relative positioning commands with high precision.
- Speed Control: Adjusts motor speed dynamically during operation.
- Origin Return: Provides multiple modes for homing operations, allowing flexible system initialization.
- Jogging: Enables manual or continuous movement for setup and calibration.
- Bank Motion: Executes pre‑programmed motion sequences for repetitive tasks.
- Event Handling: Generates software interrupts or messages upon motion completion, errors, or synchronization events.
- Multi‑Axis Coordination: Synchronizes multiple motors for complex motion paths or robotic applications.

Use Cases and Applications:
- Industrial automation systems requiring multi‑axis motion control.
- Laboratory instrumentation and test equipment.
- CNC machinery and robotic positioning systems.
- Semiconductor and precision assembly equipment.
- Educational and research environments using legacy Windows control systems.

Compatibility:
- Fully compatible with CONTEC’s API‑PAC software suite, including analog (API‑AIO), digital (API‑DIO), counter (API‑CNT), and communication (API‑GPIB, API‑SIO) drivers.
- Integrates with CONTEC’s diagnostic and configuration tools for unified system management.

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### 5. Components & Accessories

Included Items:
- API‑SMC(PC)WIN driver software (installation disk or downloadable package).
- Setup Utility for board configuration.
- Diagnostic Utility for hardware and software verification.
- Sample programs demonstrating motion control functions.
- Documentation (User’s Guide, API Reference Manual).

Optional Add‑Ons:
- Additional CONTEC API‑PAC drivers for analog, digital, counter, or communication modules.
- LabVIEW‑compliant VI libraries (VI‑DAQ, API‑GPLV(W32)) for integration with National Instruments LabVIEW environments.
- API‑TOOL Configuration software for unified board detection and management.
- Cables and connectors specific to SMC‑series boards (sold separately).

Connectors:
- Determined by the hardware board (PCI or ISA interface). The driver communicates through the system bus and does not require external connectors.

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### 6. Installation & Setup

System Requirements:
- IBM‑compatible PC with Windows 3.1x operating system.
- Available PCI or ISA slot for SMC‑series motion control board.
- Minimum 4 MB RAM (typical for Windows 3.1x systems).
- Disk space sufficient for driver and utility installation (~5–10 MB).

Installation Procedure:
1. Insert the installation disk or run the setup executable.
2. Follow the on‑screen instructions to select the target SMC board (SMC‑2P, SMC‑3, or SMC‑4P).
3. The setup program installs the necessary DLLs and configuration files.
4. Use the Setup Utility to initialize board parameters such as axis configuration, speed limits, and I/O assignments.
5. Run the Diagnostic Utility to verify communication between the driver and hardware.
6. Integrate the driver’s API functions into your application using supported programming languages.

Configuration Options:
- Axis assignment and direction.
- Motion profile parameters (acceleration, deceleration, velocity).
- Event and interrupt settings.
- Origin return mode selection.
- Synchronization and interpolation parameters for multi‑axis control.

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### 7. Performance & Capabilities

Speed and Capacity:
- Supports up to 16 motion control boards per system.
- Each board can control multiple axes (depending on model).
- High‑speed command execution through direct API calls.
- Real‑time event handling for responsive motion control.

Efficiency:
- Optimized for low‑latency communication between Windows and hardware.
- Event‑driven architecture minimizes CPU load during background operation.
- Bank Motion feature enhances throughput for repetitive motion sequences.

Limitations:
- Designed for Windows 3.1x; not natively compatible with modern Windows versions.
- Limited to CONTEC SMC‑series hardware.
- Does not support concurrent operation with other motion control drivers on the same hardware.
- Requires legacy hardware interfaces (PCI/ISA).

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### 8. Standards & Compliance

Compliance and Standards:
- IEEE‑488.2: Ensures consistent communication protocol alignment within the API‑PAC family.
- Windows API Compliance: Fully adheres to Microsoft’s Win16/Win32 API conventions for driver development.
- Industrial Automation Standards: Designed for use in industrial measurement and control systems.
- Plug‑and‑Play Compatibility: Supported through CONTEC’s API‑TOOL Configuration utility (for later Windows versions).

Certifications:
- Developed under CONTEC’s ISO‑certified quality management system.
- Conforms to standard electrical and software safety guidelines applicable to industrial control software.

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### 9. Additional Information

Warranty & Support:
- Standard CONTEC software warranty applies (typically one year from purchase).
- Technical support available via CONTEC’s global portal (www.contec.com).
- Free software updates and driver downloads provided through the API‑PAC Developer’s Site.

Maintenance:
- Regular updates available for bug fixes and compatibility improvements.
- Diagnostic utility assists in identifying hardware or software issues.
- Configuration files can be backed up and restored for system migration.

Software Updates & Resources:
- Latest versions of API‑PAC drivers, including API‑SMC(PC)WIN, are available for download at:
http://www.contec.com/apipac/
- Additional LabVIEW‑compliant drivers and VI libraries can be obtained from:
http://www.contec.com/vidaq/ and http://www.contec.com/gplv/

Documentation & Developer Resources:
- API Reference Manual detailing all function calls and parameters.
- Sample source code for Visual Basic, Visual C++, and Borland environments.
- Integration guides for multi‑device systems using API‑PAC unified architecture.

Related Products:
- API‑SMC(98/PC)NT / API‑SMC(98/PC)W95: Updated versions for Windows NT/95/98 environments.
- API‑AIO(WDM): High‑performance analog I/O driver.
- API‑DIO(98/PC): Digital I/O driver for up to 64 channels.
- API‑CNT(98/PC): Counter input driver for event counting and timing.
- API‑GPIB(98/PC): GPIB communication driver for IEEE‑488 devices.
- API‑SIO(98/PC): Serial communication driver supporting up to 256 channels.
- API‑TIMER(W32): High‑precision timer control driver for Windows.

Developer Ecosystem:
- Unified API‑PAC framework allows consistent programming across all CONTEC hardware categories (analog, digital, counter, motor, communication).
- Logical device access model enables hardware abstraction, allowing applications to continue functioning even when hardware is replaced or upgraded.
- Event‑driven control and background data collection supported for real‑time applications.

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### Summary

The CONTEC API‑SMC(PC)WIN driver is a specialized Windows 3.1x software component enabling precise motion control for CONTEC’s SMC‑series motor control boards. It provides a robust, event‑driven API for stepper and servo motor positioning, supporting multi‑axis synchronization, bank motion, and origin return functions. Designed for industrial and laboratory automation, it integrates seamlessly with the broader API‑PAC ecosystem, offering developers a unified programming interface across multiple hardware types. With included setup and diagnostic utilities, sample programs, and comprehensive documentation, API‑SMC(PC)WIN simplifies the development of motion control applications on legacy Windows platforms while maintaining the reliability and precision required in industrial environments.

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Manufacturer Contact:
CONTEC Co., Ltd.
Global Portal: [www.contec.com](http://www.contec.com)
Support & Downloads: [www.contec.com/apipac/](http://www.contec.com/apipac/)

End of Product Summary