Controlling Newmark translating stages?

[ptthorne]

Brief Intro...

I am extremely green when it comes to using labview. I have set up a program to collect voltage signals from force transducers. These transducers are attached to Newmark Translating stages. I want to have the ability to start taking readings at the exact point I tell the translating stages to start moving. I've searched NI for drivers for the Newmark controller but cannot find them. Does anyone have some advice on the best way to control these stages?

TIA!!

~Phillip

Research Assistant

UNCC-MET

[MarkLee]

Hey Philip,

How does your Newmark controller connect to your PC, is it RS-232?

Can you give us any model/part numbers (for the controller especially). I would guess you need to write your own driver if NI don't have one. There is a wizard which should help you do this in LabVIEW 8 series (under Instrumentation - Create Instrument Driver Project), but you really need as much info as possible on the command set before you get going (and lots of patience!)

Have you got the stages moving with LabVIEW yet, or just manually?

Let us know and we may be able to help a bit more!

Best wishes,

Mark Lee

[ptthorne]

Mark,

I will check the connections tomorrow as I was not involved in the project when the equipment was set up.  We can get the stages to move with the proprietary software that Newmark gave us with the controller. We have the command set for the stages and it looks like I will have to delve into the wizard to see how much more confused I can become!

Thanks for your time and I will keep you up to date,

~Phillip