Interfacing Camstar using TestStand

[alex b.]

Hi,

We are using Camstar as a MES, and the test executive is NI TestStand. Our tests are working fine using TestStand, but now, we need to interface Camstar for the inbound configuration data, and to push results.

Is there any example of interfacing Camstar? It would be very helpful.

Thanks

Alexandre Boyer

[Raj_V]

Hi Alex,

What exactly do you mean when you say you want to interface TestStand with Camstar?

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with Camstar specifically, but I might be able to help you out with using TestStand with other environments in general using the TestStand API.

Also, what kind of functionality are you trying to achieve? Are you trying to read data from Camstar or write data to it?

Finally, I wasn't able to find any prebuilt examples of using Camstar with TestStand but perhaps with a little bit more detail, I might be able to find some additional resources for you.

[alex b.]

Hi,

Basically, we basically need to get (such as station configuration or product definitions) ans set (such as product results) information to/from the MES. I still don't have the information about the Camstar MES itself, but what I have been told, is we need to format XML, drop it on a directory, and the MES would just digest this file and generate a answer in an XML (if needed)...

It looks pretty weird to me, and I am sure there is another way to communication with this MES. I know you guys have been working with these tools, and maybe you have some overview or specific examples. If you have some documentation using another environment, it would definitively help me.

We already packaged our test sequences to analyze station definitions, limits (even if it would have been way easier to use the Property Loader...) and product definitions from XML, and we generate the standard NI TestStand report using the horizontal.xls. But again, I am sure there is a sort of API to communicate wih Camstar...

Thanks

Alexandre Boyer

[Raj_V]

Hi Alex,

There may be a better way to communicate with the MES if Camstar has exposed an API for communication with it. If so, then we can use code modules that access the API that can be called from TestStand to transfer data back and forth. This is dependant on the MES and what API is made available by its manufacturer.  If you haev any more information about whether an API is available for communication with Camstar, then I can point you to some examples on using .NET, LabVIEW or CVI code modules within TestStand.