NI SHC68-68-EPM – Shielded VHDCI-to-HD68 Motion Cable for NI 73xx/UMI Breakouts

The NI SHC68-68-EPM is the go-to cable when you need a clean, reliable connection between NI motion controllers (such as PCI/PXI-73xx) and 68‑pin terminal blocks like the UMI‑777x series. One thing I appreciate is its specific EPM pinout: it’s designed for NI Motion, so you avoid the mismatched mappings that can happen if you accidentally use a standard EP DAQ cable. In many cases, that single detail saves hours of head-scratching during commissioning.

Company’s Order Placement Process and Guarantees

• Warranty: 365 days from shipment
• Delivery: typically 1 week for in-stock items; no more than one month at the latest
• Payment: 50% advance payment; full payment prior to delivery
• Express options: FedEx, UPS, DHL

Key Features

• EPM pinout for NI Motion – Mates NI 73xx motion controllers to UMI‑777x and similar 68‑pin terminal blocks without remapping.
• Shielded construction – Helps reduce crosstalk and EMI on encoder, step/dir, and analog ±10 V lines in electrically noisy cabinets.
• VHDCI to HD68 (SCSI‑II) – 68‑pin VHDCI on the controller side and 68‑pin high‑density SCSI on the terminal block side, which is exactly what most NI motion setups need.
• Secure mechanical retention – Captive jack‑screws on the HD68 end and latching VHDCI help prevent accidental disconnects during machine vibration.
• Low setup risk – Using the correct EPM cable typically avoids mixed pinouts seen with DAQ cables (EP), which can silently break limit/home or encoder channels.

Technical Specifications

Application Fields

From my experience, this cable shows up in machines where motion stability and encoder integrity matter:

• Multi‑axis packaging and labeling lines (precise step/dir and limits to UMI‑777x)
• Semiconductor handlers and pick‑and‑place stations using NI 73xx controllers
• Life‑science automation, inspection gantries, and light assembly cells
• Retrofits where NI Motion replaces legacy controllers and needs clean encoder routing

One integrator told us they had intermittent homing faults until they switched to the SHC68-68-EPM. The right pinout and shielding seemed to settle the encoder signals immediately.

Advantages & Value

• Compatibility confidence – EPM mapping is what NI Motion expects; fewer surprises during I/O checks.
• Noise resilience – Shielding and proper pair twists typically keep encoder and analog lines stable in mixed‑voltage cabinets.
• Reduced commissioning time – No custom adapters to flip signals, so FATs usually run smoother.
• Procurement ease – Common NI part across motion projects; easy to reorder and stock.
• Supportable choice – Well‑documented in NI guides; technicians recognize it and can troubleshoot quickly.

Installation & Maintenance

• Cabinet standards – Route in grounded metallic enclosures; separate from high‑power motor cables where possible.
• Bend radius – Keep gentle bends (as a rule of thumb, ≥10× cable diameter) and provide strain relief near both connectors.
• Connections – Seat the VHDCI latch firmly on the controller; tighten HD68 jack‑screws at the terminal block.
• Safety – Power down the controller before connecting/disconnecting to protect encoder/analog channels.
• Routine checks – Periodically verify screw tightness, inspect jacket for abrasion, and confirm all axes home cleanly (a quick health check for signal integrity).

Quality & Certifications

• RoHS compliant materials
• Manufactured under ISO 9001 quality systems
• Passive cable; CE marking typically not applicable, material declarations available on request
• Standard warranty: 12 months

Tip: If you’re wiring NI DAQ (not Motion), you’ll typically want the EP variant, not EPM. Mixing the two is a common source of “everything looks wired, but nothing works quite right.”