Cole-Parmer Pump Drive MasterFlex 77521-50

[Vladiator]

Looking for suggestions on how to control the Cole-Parmer Dump Drive Model 77521-50. This device is discountinued, and here is what I got from the company regarding this drive:

Jen from Technical Support said:

"We do not support the use of LabView with our units, and this drive is not computer compatible. Remote capabilities for controlling this unit could be done with LabView as it can provide the voltage signal needed for certain control functions. However, that would require the user of LabView to know how to set that up ... there may be an online forum you could look into regarding that software though."

So I am wondering if anybody had any experience with LabVIEW programming for this drive. I'd need to control the speed and Start/Stop operation of the drive. I attached the user manual for this device.

[A_Donfigulation_Error_Has]

Vladiator,

By inspection of your attached specifications sheet, it appears that the Masterflex uses a serial RS232 to communicate with a PC. Serial instruments are controlled by sending VISA (Virtual Instrumentation Software Architecture) commands to the device. VISA is an API that sits on top of many different communication protocols. It is very easy to prgram with, however you will need to know the list of commands that your drive understands. To find such information, you would need to look into further documentation of your device. The following links should help you understand this process.

NI-VISA Overview

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/3702

Instrument Control Fundamentals

http://www.ni.com/icfundamentals

You can usually download instrument drivers from our website at http://www.ni.com/downloads/idnet/, but there doesn't seem to be any supported drivers for your MasterFlex, which means you would have to write out all VISA calls yourself

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Jason:

That 9 pin D connector is not RS232.

Vladiator:

For controlling speed, the unit will accept either a 2-10V or 4-20mA signal. DAQ cards with voltage outptus are more common. Start/Stop control looks like it could be done with a digital output alone or one controlling a relay to close the circuit on the 2 input pins.

Plenty of examples in LabVIEW for generating analog and digital outputs.

The Local/Remote switch on teh back must be set to remote for computer control.

-AK2DM

[Vladiator]

Jason,

There is no other documentation for this device, and the company does not support this device anymore. Am I stuck then?

[Vladiator]

Ak2dm:

DB9 connector is used for RS232 for this device. Are you suggesting to use a DAQ card for it? Can this be done via VISA interface as Jason suggested?

[A_Donfigulation_Error_Has]

Vladiator,

Unless you know what commands you can provide the MasterFlex for it to operate, you are out of luck. NI does not have a list of the commands because it is not our product, and unfortunetely we also don't have any drivers written for the MasterFlex. You would have had to write them yourself, so unless you can find those commands you are probably out of luck.

Jason L

[Vladiator]

Jason,

Actually AK2DM is correct - the supporting interface is analogue, even through DB-9, which is not RS232. Looks like it will require an extra DAQ which is not an option or my project. 

Thanks,

Vladiator.

[jakers]

Hello,

I have the same situation and was wondering if I had the DB9 male 9-pin connector would I then hook it up to a Serial to USB converter?

Would this work or, would I need to connect: DB9 male 9-pin--->Serial>USB to Serial Converter.

Any help is much appreciated!

Jack

 

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Jack:

Neither approach will work since that 9 pin connector is not for serial communication.

-AK2DM