Watlow F4 Controller with LabView

[erezg]

Hi All,

I'm trying to read the temp on the F4 using labview, with the controller connected through the internet. I can see the controller using the “PING” command on a cmd window, but I cannot see it in the MAX .

Thanks, Erez

[GerdW]

Hi Erez,

why do you expect to see you F4 in MAX?

MAX is a tool from NI to configure all hardware from NI.

MAX is not intended to be used for 3rd party hardware…

[A.Thomas]

Can you please elaborate a little bit on your setup? I have worked with F4 controllers in LabVIEW, but I'm not sure about the part that you mentioned you are connected through internet and the pings. These controllers have a Modbus port. I use an ICS Electronics adapter GPIB to Modbus adapter similar to the following one: http://www.icselect.com/gpib_modbus-4899A.html

Then I use a GPIB to USB adapter from NI similar to this one: https://www.ni.com/en-us/shop/model/gpib-usb-hs.html

With this setup I can go to MAX and scan for GPIB instruments connected to the adapter and that's how I get a VISA address for the controller. My VIs can then use that VISA address to talk to it.

[erezg]

Dear All,

Thanks for the help

All I want to do is to read the FT4 current temperature.

My FT4 is connected to the internet (this is why I mentioned the “ping”)

I was hoping that I can talk to it using “Visa” (just like Tektronix scope or Keithley data logger)

So my set up: I have the FT4 connected to the net (IP 10.0.202.25) and my host computer in on the same subnet.

Thanks, Erez

[PalanivelThiruvenkadam]

can you able to communicate with device using Assigned IP using LabVIEW (if so no point in expecting to display in NI MAX)

[erezg]

no

Trying to open Visa result in an error

[erezg]

BTW, I’ve downloaded a software from Watlow that can communicate with the F4T using the net

thanks, Erez

[PalanivelThiruvenkadam]

Are you using Serial port or Ethernet port if ethernet port you can use TCP/IP

There may be LabVIEW Drivers available for your specific device you can browse and download

There are other softwares available to communicate with a device (Putty, Tera Term), which will clarify the problem whether it is a problem with hardware or the LabVIEW which is not detecting.

[erezg]

I’m using the Ethernet port (BTW, I thought that Visa include TCP/IP). I’ve already downloaded a different software that communicate great with the FT4.

Best, Erez

[PalanivelThiruvenkadam]

Can you share your actual code?