# PC sdk - Read type of an external axis (Rotative or linear)

**URL:** <https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/t/pc-sdk-read-type-of-an-external-axis-rotative-or-linear/10840>\
**Category:** Developer Tools\
**Created:** [August 17, 2022, 6:58am UTC](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/t/pc-sdk-read-type-of-an-external-axis-rotative-or-linear/10840 "2022-08-17T06:58:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![gbaldi92](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/tech-community.robotics.abb.com/gbaldi92/32/4415_2.png) [@gbaldi92](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/u/gbaldi92)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2022, 6:58am UTC](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/t/pc-sdk-read-type-of-an-external-axis-rotative-or-linear/10840/1 "2022-08-17T06:58:24Z")

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Hi,

I’m trying to develop a visual basic application where I can read the position of the robot axes and external axes and I wonder if there is a manner to see from the application if an axis is rotative or linear. Apparently in the mechanical unit class there are no methods capable of doing it. Anyone knows how could I do?

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**Author:** ![Tompanhuhu](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/tech-community.robotics.abb.com/tompanhuhu/32/3366_2.png) [@Tompanhuhu](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/u/Tompanhuhu)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2022, 5:19am UTC](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/t/pc-sdk-read-type-of-an-external-axis-rotative-or-linear/10840/2 "2022-08-18T05:19:44Z")

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I think pcsdk allows you to read systemparameters, so you can find it that way.

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**Author:** ![gbaldi92](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/tech-community.robotics.abb.com/gbaldi92/32/4415_2.png) [@gbaldi92](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/u/gbaldi92)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 7:43am UTC](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/t/pc-sdk-read-type-of-an-external-axis-rotative-or-linear/10840/3 "2022-08-22T07:43:48Z")

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Hello,

Yes, i’m trying to do this through the pc sdk but i don’t know how. I’m reading all the documentation but I’ve not found anything useful yet. Do you know if there is a particular method to do it?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Tompanhuhu](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/tech-community.robotics.abb.com/tompanhuhu/32/3366_2.png) [@Tompanhuhu](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/u/Tompanhuhu)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2022, 1:16pm UTC](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/t/pc-sdk-read-type-of-an-external-axis-rotative-or-linear/10840/4 "2022-08-22T13:16:55Z")

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Check this manual.  
It describes some basic methods.

> **[Configuration domain](https://developercenter.robotstudio.com/api/pcsdk/articles/Manual/Using-the-PC-SDK/Configuration-domain.html)**

This method shows motion topic examples.

> **[Motion domain](https://developercenter.robotstudio.com/api/pcsdk/articles/Manual/Using-the-PC-SDK/Motion-domain.html)**

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![gbaldi92](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/tech-community.robotics.abb.com/gbaldi92/32/4415_2.png) [@gbaldi92](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/u/gbaldi92)\
**Post date:** [August 23, 2022, 7:53am UTC](https://tech-community.robotics.abb.com/t/pc-sdk-read-type-of-an-external-axis-rotative-or-linear/10840/5 "2022-08-23T07:53:48Z")

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I Did it, thanks a lot!