Connect your SPARK Flex Motor Controller to your computer with a USB C cable.
Open the REV Hardware Client application.
The Client should automatically scan and connect to your SPARK Flex
Additional SPARK Flex devices connected via CAN to the USB Host SPARK Flex are visible when using the latest firmware. For more information see the SPARK Flex User's Manual.
The REV Hardware Client has four tabs to manage different features of the Client. The "Hardware Tab" is where supported hardware devices are managed. The "Utilities Tab" allows for viewing log files collected by the Control Hub or Driver Hub. The "Downloads Tab" allows for the downloading of supported device software for updating when offline. The "About Tab" has information on what devices are supported, updating the REV Hardware Client, and troubleshooting.
Individual devices, like the SPARK Flex, have additional tabs available when the device is selected. For a full overview of the default navigation features of the REV Hardware Client see the User's Manual. Below is more information on using the specific features for the SPARK Flex.
The Hardware Tab is used to select devices connected via USB or the USB to CAN bridge for configuration, updates, and more.
Once a SPARK Flex is selected from the Hardware tab a number of device specific tabs will show.
The Basic Tab is used to set the most common parameters for the SPARK Flex.
Device Identify: Blink the selected SPARK Flex's LED for identification.
CAN ID: This assigns a SPARK Flex a CAN ID for identification over the CAN BUS. Any configured SPARK Flex must have a CAN ID.
Configurations: This drop down allows you to select pre-existing configurations store on the Windows machine running the SPARK Flex Client or to pull the existing parameters stored on in RAM on the SPARK Flex. This is helpful when configuring multiple motor controllers to the same settings.
Configured Parameters: Change the motor type, sensor type, idle mode behavior, and more.
The ability to switch "Motor Type" to brushed on the SPARK Flex will be available with the SPARK Flex Dock (Coming Soon!)
The Advanced Tab allows for changing all configurable parameters of the SPARK Flex without needing to set them in code.
Search Parameters: Allows for easy look up of a specific parameter for editing.
Parameter Table: Select the arrow to show all configurable parameters within a specific group.
Remember to burn the parameters to flash memory before disconnecting the SPARK Flex
The Run Tab allows for the SPARK Flex to operate over USB or a USB to CAN Bridge without the need for a full control system. This is helpful for testing mechanisms and tuning their control loops.
Run: Choose setpoints to run a motor connected to a SPARK Flex using various modes, including position, velocity, and duty cycle.
PIDF: Update PIDF parameters on the fly to tune control loops on the SPARK Flex.
View Graph: Moves the Client over to the Telemetry Tab to show any added signals in graph form when running a SPARK Flex. This is helpful when tuning control loops.
The Update tab shows what version of firmware is on the selected device, if that device is up to date, and update the firmware of the selected device.
Download Latest Firmware: Downloads latest firmware onto the local machine running the Client.
Update Firmware: Updates the selected device with the latest firmware.
Out-of-date Firmware Warning: Warning to alert the user there is new firmware available for any connected device.
Connect your SPARK Flex Motor Controller to your computer with a USB-C cable.
Open the REV SPARK Flex Client application.
The Client should automatically scan and connect to your SPARK Flex.
Once the SPARK Flex is connected via USB-C select it within the Connected Hardware.
The Hardware Client will open up on the Basic tab. To update firmware select the Update tab after selecting the SPARK Flex from the Connected Hardware list.
Under SPARK Flex Firmware, select download to download the latest version of the firmware.
Once the firmware has downloaded select update.
The update process will flash the firmware image onto the SPARK Flex. The status bar will show the progress of the process.
Once the firmware update is done your SPARK Flex will show a new status of Up-to-Date.
12V Power source
SPARK Flex
Motor connected to the SPARK Flex
Windows Computer with the REV Hardware Client installed
Data Capable USB C cable
First, connect your SPARK Flex to a computer with the REV Hardware Client installed via a data capable USB C cable. Then selecting it from the list of connected devices.
Verify that the settings are correct for the motor you have attached to your SPARK Flex. Once you have verified the settings and hit "Burn Flash" to save any changes, click on the run tab.
Within the Run Tab you can run one motor with a SPARK Flex You can control it in many different ways, and change the PIDF algorithm.
Need to run more than one SPARK Flex? If on the same CAN Bus you can run multiple SPARK Flex Motor Controllers using the Run Multiple function under the Telemetry Tab!
Run Motor: Click this button to run the motor with the selected settings
Mode: Choose the run mode for running your motor. Percent mode is a great starting point for turning a motor on to test a prototype mechanism.
Setpoint: Set the value for running the motor here
PIDF: Adjust your PIDF algorithm here.
View Graph: Shortcut to the Telemetry Tab to view data about your SPARK MAX
Once your settings have been chosen, click the orange Run Motor button.
When you are done running your motor, press the Stop Motor button.
