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JRys

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  1. DASYLab can use DDE to send the temperature measurements to an Excel spreadsheet. If you have an existing spreadsheet with formulas, it can put the data into a specific column. Periodically, the operator could recalculate the spreadsheet, which would update the time-temperature requirement table. This may allow the operator to check if it is meeting the requirements. Otherwise, it may be better to consider creating a custom app with Python for an automated test.

  2. If the E-TC is not networked and connected to the computer, it should auto-link to an address like 169.254.100.100. Then, the standard examples will work. I've used the command arp -a to list IPs when on a network. Please be sure to look for a device name that begins with E-TC-xxxxxx. The xxxxxx is the last six digits of the MAC address. Once you have the IP, run the remote net discovery example program to learn how to get the device handle. If you need to assign a fixed address, you must use the InstaCal utility.

  3. The USB-1608FS-Plus input impedance is approximately 100M ohms, and I suspect your probe is also close to 100M ohms. The probe creates a divider that reduces the measured voltage. The input impedance spec is 100M ohm minimum. Each channel could be different, which may explain the voltage difference. You can test the inputs by connecting them to a battery or a function generator without using the probe. Consider using a transformer to reduce 330 VAC to a more manageable level and minimize the source impedance. 

  4. Either software package will work for your application. However, I prefer DAQami because running InstaCal is not required. We offer the DASYLab software, which has many more capabilities depending on your chosen level. DASYLab will allow you to do the math on the data in real-time. You could use the reference curve feature to qualify the data in real-time. First, you must generate the reference curve data consisting of minimum, mean, and maximum curves. The data is saved to a file using the reference curve tool. In the chart recorder display, you specify the reference curve file. When data is collected, it will be shown with the reference curves. The operator can then visually check to ensure the data remains with the maximum and minimum curves before giving the belt furnace a passing grade. DASYLab BASIC or better is required for the reference curve feature. 

     

  5. Unfortunately, I don't have access to Modbus equipment, so I cannot test your worksheet. However, if the serial port Modbus is similar to the Ethernet Modbus, setting the Startbyte to 16 and enabling bitwise operation will begin writing at 17. A customer confirmed that it writes the following location. Otherwise, setting Startbyte to 17 starts at 136 because a byte is 8 locations. Use bitwise and try updating 16 and 17 to see if either works. 

  6. The UL Create Channel VI can get confused if you connect a control to the physical channel input before selecting the channel type. I've seen this when channels are duplicated by copying voltage channels. You can copy the VI but not its inputs. Set the channel type to temperature and then connect a physical channel control. It's unclear if this is what happened, but it is something to keep in mind. 

  7. First, you must have a signal connected to the channel. If you leave them unconnected, they will float to a strange value like 1.4 volts. If you are getting started and your sensors have yet to be connected, wire the inputs to analog ground. If you do, they should read close to zero.

    Both DAQami and TracerDAQ Pro have a voltage range setting. In the DAQami configuration, select Channels, then click one of the Analog Input channels so that it appears selected. Next to it will be a voltage range and a unit selection. In TracerDAQ Pro, choose DAQ Hardware Settings from the Edit menu. Use the DAQ Range/Mode column to change the voltage range.

     

  8. Have a look at v_out.py and ULAO01.py. These two examples will work with your device. Outputs can be set with either the v_out or the a_out function. The v_out function takes floats for data and a_out an integer. 

    data_value = 3.0
    channel = 0
    ul.v_out(board_num, channel, ULRange.UNI10VOLTS, data_value, 0)

    You could use a_out_scan, but the rate cannot exceed 100 divided by the number of scanned channels. Underneath, it uses a_out to update the channels. However, it has a SIMULTANEOUS scan option that can be used to update all the channels simultaneously. 

  9. Could you share the requirements? For instance, how many channels are required, and how quickly will they be able to sample? Do you require channel isolation because you will attach grounded thermocouples to metal surfaces? A grounded thermocouple has the bare wire exposed at the temperature end. Is the furnace electric, and what is the temperature range? Remember that I'm not an expert in measuring temperatures in a belt furnace. 

  10. If you were writing a program using Python or C/C++/C#, I recommend using the external clock instead of the external trigger. The external trigger starts an acquisition, while the external (pacer) clock input controls sampling. Unfortunately, neither the trigger nor the external clock is supported when using MCC devices and the MatLab Data Acquisition Toolbox. Contact the Mathwork if you have questions or need support.

    Another approach is to access our API from within Matlab. The following provides a brief example of what I mean: https://digilent.com/reference/daq-and-datalogging/documents/using-ul-for-dotnet-with-matlab

    To enable the external clock, include ExtClock in myscanoptions:

    myscanoptions = MccDaq.ScanOptions.ScaleData | MccDaq.ScanOptions.ExtClock;

    The UL Help documentation download can be found here: https://digilent.com/reference/software/universal-library/windows/start

     

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