help needed interfacing Instron 4301 with computer

[Feliks]

I currently am trying to interface an instron 4301 to a computer for data collection and storage.  I attempted going through Instron but was told that this piece of equipment isnt a legacy item...blah blah blah...buy a new one.   With that kind of cost its not really a good option for what we need.  I am hoping that someone can shed light on what kind of cards I need to install and what software to utilize for this particular tensile tester.  I am running a fairly new computer with XP on it ,if that is worth anything.  Thanks a lot in advance.
Marc

[davidtphillips]

Some things to consider:

1) Zwick (www.zwick.com) (my company) manufacturers complete upgrade kits for other manufacturers including Instron.  It is the same technology as we use on our current production, so you get the most advanced test machine control and data acquisition system in the world.  These systems are guaranteed to be supported for minimum 10 years. 

2) If you only acquire the data from the machine and leave the existing control system as it is then your test is not being controlled 100% e.g. How do you know that the test speed is correct? etc.  so you are wide open to operator influence.

3) If you also control the machine from the PC then you need to consider the safety implications of controlling a dangerous machine with a windows PC.  If someone gets injured you may be liable.

In summary: How much you should spend depends on your required application, complexity, environment (R&D versus Quality Control) and safety (who uses the machine - you / many operators.)

Hope this helps

Message Edited by davidtphillips on 08-03-2007 03:02 AM

[Daniel_E]

This post also talks about using the instron 4301: https://forums.ni.com/t5/LabVIEW/does-labview-have-driver-to-get-readings-from-instron-4301/m-p/2013...

As for the cards and software to use, this depends, as davidtphillips said, on your required application, complexity, environment, and safety.  Does the instron 4301 have a set of predefined commands that you can send it?  If so, what is the protocol?  Or do you have to design the control system for it?

[Feliks]

basically what I need to do is be able to take data points from the instron and record them automatically on the computer as the test is being performed, in excel or notepad or labview.  The particular machine we have is particularly challenging because it does not have the IEEE option installed so I believe that communicating from a pc to the machine is out of the question (though Im not sure, my experience in this area is limited).   I think by using an A/D converter connected to the printer port I could accomplish this....  The machine would have to be run from the built in console and the computer would just be used for data collection, basically a chart recorder.   Have you ever heard of anyone doing this?

[Brian_R]

You haven't defined any specs for the data that you are trying to acquire, but I think one of our M-Series DAQ cards will get you in the ballpark.

[Feliks]

If you dont mind, what kind of specs are you looking for?  Im new to this area and am trying to learn as much as possible before making any decisions.
thanks,
Marc

[BB_Herman]

Does your controller have the J2 outputs in the back (load, strain1, strain2, time/position)?  These are analog outputs that are used to drive an xy chart recorder.  You could run these outputs to a daq card and record your data.  You will have to do some scaling.  Load, Strain 1 & 2 are all 0-10 vdc scale.

[Feliks]

This machine does have the J2 outputs, though there are 5 of them: load, str1, str2, sw and t/pos.  I imagine sw is switch, though I dont know how it would be utilized in my situation.  The other ouputs are printer and recorder, of which the chart recorder is hooked to the latter.  What DAQ card would be advisable for this situation?  Thanks

[BB_Herman]

One card we use is the NI PCI-6221 (68 pin D type).  You will also need a cable and SCB-68 connector block.

[Feliks]

Since I am working with BNC type connectors on the J2 outputs, would it be advisable to use a BNC connector block like the BNC-2110?  It seems like it would be really useful for this application but would limit the capabilities of the DAQ in the future.   Also, does the PCI-6221 come with any data acquisition software like labview?  Thanks