Keep your system running with Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) NI-Motion | PCI-7344 | PXI-7344 | NI 9512

Happy new year, it's 2024!

We've had a great 2023 serving customers all around the world. When we launched our flagship product TENET EMotion just two years ago, we knew that motion control for LabVIEW was a big gap waiting to be filled, as NI no longer makes or supports their motion controllers since 2018.

This year in 2024, we're proud to announce that TENET Technologies will also be offering Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) NI-Motion products, with models such as:

• NI PCI-7344, and PCI-73xx line of motion controllers
• NI PXI-7344, and PXI-73xx line of motion controllers
• NI 9512 C-Series Module, and NI 951x series of modules

This article discusses the benefits of CPO NI-Motion products, and will help you decide if these products are right for your needs.

What are Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) NI-Motion products?

Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) NI-Motion products refer to secondhand NI-Motion boards, such as the NI PCI-7344 and PXI-7344, that have passed the TENET certification process to guarantee quality and performance. These products are an alternative for customers who require motion control for LabVIEW but have difficulties in redesigning their systems or accessing the LabVIEW source code.

By opting for CPO NI-Motion Products, customers can benefit from cost savings and a quicker setup time, as these pre-owned boards are perfectly compatible with their legacy NI systems. The TENET certification process guarantees that the boards meet the required standards and performance criteria, providing customers with reliable motion control solutions.

Why use Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) NI-Motion Products?

Here are 4 specific use cases that demonstrate why CPO NI-Motion would be a perfect fit for your needs:

1. If you suspect that an existing NI-Motion board is faulty, you can use a CPO NI-Motion part to perform a swap test and verify if the issue is indeed hardware-related.
2. If your existing NI-Motion board is faulty, you can use a CPO NI-Motion part as a direct replacement without needing to make any modifications to the software code.
3. For servicing and maintaining legacy systems that are NOT critical to business operations, the return on investment (ROI) in terms of time and cost for migrating existing NI-Motion to another solution may be very low. In this case, using CPO NI-Motion for a drop-in replacement option should be considered.
4. If you do not own or have access to the source code of the legacy NI-Motion system, your only option for replacing faulty hardware will be to use a CPO NI-Motion spare part. It may be possible to migrate to another solution, but this would require rewriting the system software, which will take considerable time and resources.

What is the certification process for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) NI-Motion products?

To ensure quality and performance from pre-owned NI-Motion boards and modules, TENET Technologies subjects all boards to the following rigorous tests:

Physical certification

• No deformations, scratches, or burn spots should be present.
• The PCI or PXI board can fit into the chassis without any issues.

Software certification

• The PCI or PXI board can be detected via NI MAX.
• The firmware of the PCI or PXI board can be updated via NI MAX.
• Each individual axis can be controllable from the “1D-Interactive” test panel via NI MAX.
• The LabVIEW NI-Motion shipping examples can be executed with the board.

Signal certification

• When monitored with an oscilloscope, the motor control signal (digital pulse or analog output signal) should be visible and identifiable.

A board or module will only receive the TENET Technologies CPO certification for NI-Motion if it passes all tests in each of the three categories. See pictures below for a demonstration of these tests:

What is the warranty period for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) NI-Motion products?

All TENET CPO NI-Motion boards are covered by our 1-year limited hardware warranty. If the board is found to be defective or faulty during this warranty period, we will repair it or replace it with another functioning unit at no cost to the customer.

What is the difference between Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) NI-Motion products and something I can buy from eBay?

Ebay is an excellent platform for finding unique and obsolete parts. However, it is important to note that items are typically sold in "as-is" condition. This means that if the board doesn't perform as expected, you won't be able to rely on the seller to give you support. Other surprises from eBay include:

• Received item not as advertised: i.e. you bought PCI-7344, but received PCI-7334
• Dead-on-arrival (DOA) item, as the seller doesn't have the capability to test functionality
• Item is not a genuine NI board, but a fake look-alike
• And of course, our personal "favorite" - seller canceled order because they don't have the item, but instead are pushing you to buy something else. (Many eBay listings are bait-and-switch traps in disguise.)

For those who have the time and energy to deal with eBay shenanigans, it can be a great place for bargain hunting. But if you're a professional with limited time and a reputation to uphold, CPO NI-Motion products from TENET Technologies can be a great asset to you.

When should I used Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) NI-Motion vs. TENET EMotion?

For new systems, you should consider the TENET EMotion, as it provides active technical support and updates from our product R&D team. This will ensure that your current and future motion needs with LabVIEW can be met.

However, for legacy systems, if the objective is to provide a quick fix for maintenance, then CPO NI-Motion is the way to go. This will require little to no extra effort. But, keep in mind that this is only suitable for legacy system maintenance, as the hardware only works on a older software stack, such as Windows 7 and LabVIEW 2018.

If the objective is to revive and improve old equipment, then TENET EMotion is the better way to go. Although there is some effort needed in migrating the hardware and software, the benefit is that the software stack will be up-to-date and supported with the latest versions of LabVIEW. This allows you to take advantage of the latest technologies that PC computing has to offer!

*To get an overview of the migration process from NI-Motion to TENET EMotion, please check out our info PDF:

Replacing discontinued NI-Motion controllers - TENET.pdf

Conclusion

It is important to note that while CPO NI-Motion products are suitable for certain legacy applications, the TENET EMotion offers a comprehensive motion control solution for LabVIEW with advanced features and active support. Customers should consider their specific needs and requirements when deciding between CPO NI-Motion and TENET EMotion.

Overall, the availability of Certified Pre-Owned NI-Motion products expands the options for customers who are looking to maintain and enhance their LabVIEW motion control systems, providing them with reliable and cost-effective solutions.

Call-to-Action

If you need a quote for Certified Pre-Owned NI-Motion products, fill out our INFO REQUEST FORM, or email us at [email protected]. We look forward to helping you getting the most value from your existing legacy systems.

Disclaimer:

TENET Technologies is not an authorized distributor or representative for NI (or Emerson.) Designed trademarks, brand names, and brands appearing hearin are the property of their respective owners.