Running Continuum ND 6000 dye laser in LabView

[cweidner0]

Our lab recently received a Continuum ND 6000 dye laser and we would like to run it via LabView.  However, it seems the software that the company gives out is DOS-based and the groups I have talked to all run the laser off of a computer that came with the laser (a computer that we do not have).  I know you can talk to the laser using serial commands, and I was wondering if anyone out there had been able to communicate with it without using the DOS software or the aforementioned computer and could give me some insight in how to set this up in our system.

Thanks,

Carrie

[Sammy Z]

Hi Carrie,

I don't see that we have an instrument driver for your device. 

You can go to LabVIEW»tools»instrumentation»Create Instrument Driver Instrument      and create an instrument driver for your device.

Before that you could go to LabVIEW examples and serch Basic Serial Read and Write.vi and attempt to communicate with the basic serial commands that your device responds to.

Please make sure that you have NI-Serial installed. 

You can find that at:

http://joule.ni.com/nidu/cds/fn/p/sb/navsRel/lang/en?q=serial&x=0&y=0

Regards,

Sammy Z.

[Dennis_Knutson]

Sammy,

I've seen NI-Serial recomended before but it's been my understanding that NI-Serial is only used if you have a serial card from NI. I have been using serial functions for many years without the driver. Is there any reason at all to install NI-Serial if you are not using NI hardware?

[Sammy Z]

Hi cweidner0,

I actually meant to say NI-VISA.  My bad.

Please give us an update.

Have a wonderful work week.

Thanks,
Sammy Z.

[cweidner0]

Thanks for your help, guys.  I will keep you updated as I try to work out the serial communication.

[cweidner0]

To all who helped me,

I got Labview to talk to the computer that runs this laser.  Thank you all for your help, and anyone else with this problem should certainly contact me, as I can provide some good insight into how to do so.

Thanks,

Carrie

[RipRock99]

Hi Carrie -

We also recently acquired 2 ND6000's, and are looking to do a simple wavelength read, followed by a wavelength set (repeatedly) over the serial port.  Any chance you might share info/example code to do this?

Many thanks,

Scott

[cweidner0]

Hi Scott,

 I'm more than happy to share this with you.  The crucial thing that was hindering our progress was making the correct cord--the ND 6000 computer does not run with typical serial connections, but instructions on how to make the cord are in the manual.  (I can only assume that you have the manual, computer, etc.)  I use LabView to talk to the DOS program that comes with the laser on the computer, and the computer in turn talks to the laser.  Attached is the program I wrote for doing this--it goes to a certain wavelength or scans the wavelength based on what settings you give it.  All it really is is a nice front end (a modification of the basic Serial Read and Write vi that comes with LabView for the serial communication code (also in the manual) that is used to talk to the laser.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask--I will do my best to help you out.

Carrie

[RipRock99]

Hi Carrie,

Thanks a bunch!  We took a look at the VI's this morning.  I did have a question - It looks like LaserControl_v2.vi requires:

1) StringManip_1.vi

2) Goto_v1.vi

3) ProgScan_v1.vi 

Which we didn't see.  Am I missing something, or if not, mind attaching 'em?

Many thanks again,

S- 

[RipRock99]

Hello Carrie and other interested parties.  I have not seen an answer on the question of the missing functions - does anyone else know the solution?  

Many thanks,

S-