Controlling Valco Universal Actuator (USB to USB Interface)

[labgirl86]

Hello, 

I apologize in advance for my lack of computer/LabVIEW experience.  Hopefully my problem has a straightforward solution that I'm just missing.

I'm trying to connect a Valco multiposition universal actuator to a computer to be controlled via LabVIEW.  The model I have has a USB port and I'm connecting it to my computer via a USB to USB cable.  Before I plugged in my device, I installed this USB driver from Valco's website:  http://www.vici.com/support/download.php

My device shows up in both device manager and in MAX as "Com 8."  It says in device manager that it is working properly.  However, when I go to Instrument I/O in LabVIEW, there is no driver for my universal actuator and it says there are "no connected devices."  I searched for Valco drivers on the LabVIEW website and could not find any.  

Another odd thing I noticed is that when I look at the properties of my device in device manager, two device functions show up:  USB Serial Converter and USB Serial Port (COM 8).  Not sure if that's normal or not but I just thought I'd mention it.  

Here is the manual for the product:  http://www.vici.com/support/tn/tn415.pdf

Sorry if this description isn't detailed enough.  I guess if anyone could point me in the right direction as far as establishing communication with my device and getting LabVIEW to recognize it, that would be great.

Thanks so much in advance!

Laura 

[Dennis_Knutson]

There isn't supposed to be any instrument listed when you have a serial connection. Since you have the com port listed in MAX, that is all you need.

You should start debug with a program such as hyperterminal as recommended in the manual. This will allow to verify the port settings as well as the correct type of serial cable. Send the commands as listed in the manual. Then you can try the serial examples that come with LabVIEW. You need to spend s termination character. That seems to be a carriage return. You do this in the basic example by appending a \r.

[labgirl86]

Thank you very much   This has been helpful info so far.

I am currently able to communicate with my device using HyperTerminal.  I am able to type in commands like VR<enter>, NP<enter>, CP<enter>, SB<enter>, etc, and it displays the correct information.  However, when I try to give the flow selector a command like GO16<enter>, CC16<enter>, etc, I get an "E2 Invalid" message on HyperTerminal.  I think this must have something to do with being able to receive inputs from the device but not outputs.  Any suggestions on this issue?  I have verified that my device ID is disabled so I know that's not the problem.  Thanks again!

Laura 

[Dennis_Knutson]

The values you are sending may be invalid. This is a question you should be asking the vendor.