Re: Anyone using Zaber motion controllers?

["Wlodek, Jakub via Tech-talk" <tech-talk@aps.anl.gov>]

Hi all,

One of our beamlines recently looked into purchasing zaber stages and I found that the vendor themselves actually provide a EPICS motor record driver on their github: https://github.com/zabertech/motorZaberMotion

I have not had a chance to test it yet since the hardware has not arrived, but presumably that may be an option.

Jakub Wlodek

Technology Engineer

Data Acquisition and Detectors
National Synchrotron Light Source II
Office: 631.344.7599
jwlodek@bnl.gov

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From: Tech-talk <tech-talk-bounces@aps.anl.gov> on behalf of Laurenz Rettig via Tech-talk <tech-talk@aps.anl.gov>
Sent: Thursday, November 6, 2025 4:57 AM
To: Torsten Bögershausen <tboegi@edom.se>; tech-talk@aps.anl.gov <tech-talk@aps.anl.gov>; Ralph Lange <ralph.lange@gmx.de>
Subject: Re: Anyone using Zaber motion controllers?

 

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Yes, I think this is using this binary protocol:

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://urldefense.us/v3/__https:/*www.zaber.com/w/Manuals/Binary_Protocol_Manual__;!!G_uCfscf7eWS!ZCj-YSJc2mHFFxr1Iwa7LWm_qKkyXfIkKBN_fmWYktGO75anQy1YUUzusFvvBx7lXnqP0IEaBO6sFzCWZ6wHKhr2H4vr$__;Lw!!P4SdNyxKAPE!CKbzhsIt7VOEybic3fiZIhT6sg1wPbIIBxK--vWFC4OdDIvNsAUCdotT9xvD9ZE0MrDbFlav0XWcsNsHF14H7-I$ 

Best, Laurenz

On 06.11.2025 10:48, Torsten Bögershausen wrote:
> Thanks.
>
> Not having digged into StreamDevice for a long time:
> It looks as if your database is using a binary communication ?!
> But yes, it should be "easy" to write a proper motor driver.
> Or use the soft motor.
>
> /Torsten
>
>
> On 2025-11-06 10:09, Laurenz Rettig wrote:
>> Hi Torsten,
>>
>> I added the files here: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://urldefense.us/v3/__https:/*github.com/rettigl/epics_zaber_mirror__;!!G_uCfscf7eWS!ZCj-YSJc2mHFFxr1Iwa7LWm_qKkyXfIkKBN_fmWYktGO75anQy1YUUzusFvvBx7lXnqP0IEaBO6sFzCWZ6wHKu271Cvb$__;Lw!!P4SdNyxKAPE!CKbzhsIt7VOEybic3fiZIhT6sg1wPbIIBxK--vWFC4OdDIvNsAUCdotT9xvD9ZE0MrDbFlav0XWcsNsH6t4ciII$ 
>>
>> Best, Laurenz
>>
>> On 06.11.2025 09:57, Torsten Bögershausen wrote:
>>> Hej Laurenz,
>>>
>>> Is there a public Gir repo for your streamdevice files ?
>>> As Matt pointed out, the streamdevice files may be a starting
>>> point to develop a model 3 motor driver.
>>> Which does support motorRecord and does support other records.
>>>
>>> Advanced note:
>>> It is possible to put a "softMotor" on top of EPICS records:
>>>
>>> You need to have input records for:
>>> a) The actual position of the motor
>>> b) Is the motor "done" (the opposite of busy)
>>>
>>> c) You need an output record where the softMotor
>>> can write the new target position, where the motor should move to.
>>>
>>> (End of advanced comments)
>>>
>>> /Torsten
>>>
>>>
>>> On 2025-11-05 09:57, Laurenz Rettig via Tech-talk wrote:
>>>> We are using a stepper motor controlled mirror holder from Zaber,
>>>> which we control via stream device. No proper Epics motor support,
>>>> though. I could share the support files, if of interest.
>>>>
>>>> Best, Laurenz
>>>>
>>>> On 05.11.2025 09:24, Ralph Lange via Tech-talk wrote:
>>>>> Of ITER's many Diagnostics systems, one plans to use a Zaber
>>>>> linear stage.
>>>>> Is anyone using Zaber devices?
>>>>>
>>>>> Zaber has an open-source high-level library (Zaber Motion Library)
>>>>> written in Go with wrappers for a bunch of languages, on top of an
>>>>> ASCII-over-TCP protocol. Any experiences with that?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for any leads...
>>>>> ~Ralph
>>>>>
>>>
>
--
Dr. Laurenz Rettig                  rettig@fhi-berlin.mpg.de
Emmy Noether Research Group Dynamics of Correlated Materials
Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society
Department of Physical Chemistry
Faradayweg 4-6                         Tel: +49 30 8413 5225
14195 Berlin, Germany                  Fax: +49 30 8413-5387