Mac labview extension

[246457]

I have a Mac desktop, and I want to use the serial port to control one stepping motor by labview. The labview program seems working fine but the computer seems not transmitting signal. Also, I didn't see labview in the extension, do I need to get the extension for labview? and where I can get the extension?
Thanks

[mikeporter]

I'm not sure what you mean by the "extension" can you give more explaination of what you mean?

Concerning the Mac. They are wonderful machines, but some older machines didn't have RS232 ports. They had RS422 ports. I don't know if the newer Macs are the same, but that's something to check. RS422 ports are not necessarily inter-operable with RS232 devices.

Next make sure that you are initializing the serial port correctly (baud rate, stop bits, etc.) and have the cable wired correctly. Mac documentation will tell you the pinout of the computer, and the stepping motor control should give you the pinout of the motor.

Finally, who manufacturers the stepping motor you are using?

Mike...

[246457]

Actually, I don't know anything about Mac, and one technical support from apple told me I should see labview icon in the "chooser" window, if not, I need to download "labview something" to put in the extension folder. That's why I say where I can download the labview extension.
I used TECHNO's stepping motor by the printer or modem port.
Thanks

[mikeporter]

I'm still not sure why anybody would think you need some sort of extension to access the computer's serial ports from within LV... In any case, when you say "Techno" do you mean Techno-Isel? Also what model number motor and controller are you using?Also what kind of Mac are you wanting to use?Mike...

[mikeporter]

Man! my brain must be dead! It finally struck me last night what must be going on. In LV serial IO is done using a set of drivers called VISA. These drivers would exist as extensions on the Mac and is probibly what you need.

Check with your NI rep to find out where you can download the latest version from NI's website. They are free and should also be on your LV installation disk somewhere.

Sorry for the delay in getting my gray-cells awake...

Mike...

[BrandonS]

NI-VISA for the Mac can be found at the following web-address: http://digital.ni.com/softlib.nsf/webcategories/85256410006C055586256BAC002C51FA?opendocument&node=132070_US

Just to reiterate a point that someone else had made, Macs shipped with a RS-422 interface. The pinout and electrical specs a different for 422 than they are for 232 instruments. If I remember correctly, RS-422 instruments can directly interface with RS-485 controllers but not RS-232. I would spend some time looking into what types of serial interfaces you are working with and make sure they are compatible.