Defining Custom Segment Types

You can define custom segment types before creating segment-based motor, torque, or force profiles in the Function Builder.

  1. Create a text file called SegmentTypes.txt.
  2. Define segments types according to the segment type syntax.
  3. Specify the segment types file location:
    1. Click Options (Standard toolbar) and select File Locations.
    2. Under Show folders for, select Function Builder Segment Type Definitions.
    3. Click Add, browse to the folder containing SegmentTypes.txt, and click OK twice.
    The custom segment type functions you define appear in the Function Builder followed by the tag User.

Segment Type Syntax

The segment types you can select from the Function Builder are functions of the independent variable. You can piece together the segment type functions to define a piecewise continuous motor or force profile.

Each segment type you select defines the profile function on a continuous range of independent variable values. You can create custom Function Builder segment types in a file named SegmentTypes.txt. You can define a segment type function with basic programming commands within the segment type syntax.

To use custom segment types, you must point to the folder containing the SegmentTypes.txt file from File Locations in the System Options dialog box.

Syntax

Begin each segment type definition with SegmentType("Type_Name", independent_variable, param_2, … param_n) and end each segment type definition with the command endSegmentType. You must include a return statement within the definition. Use mathematical operators to define the segment type function between these two commands.

Commands and Variables Description
SegmentType("Type_Name", independent_variable, arg2, … argn) Begins the segment type function definition.
"Type_Name" String variable in quotes specifying a unique name for the segment type function.
independent_variable Variable representing the function independent variable.
param_2, … param_n Variables representing any number of parameters you require to define the function.
The number of required parameters depends on the function you define.
return Returns the segment type function value computed from the input arguments.
endSegmentType Ends the segment type function definition.
' Comment.

Cubic Segment Type Example

'

'------------- Cubic -------------------

'

SegmentType("Cubic", x, x1, y1, x2, y2)

     xbar = (x-x1)/(x2-x1);

     ybar = 3*xbar^2-2*xbar^3;

     y = y1+(y2-y1)*ybar;

     return y;

endSegmentType

See Default Segment Type Function Definitions for more segment type function definitions.