Using the COM Port on the CVS from a host PC

[mjo]

 I have a Servo Drive attached to a NI-1456 CVS and have the configuration software installed on a host PC, and rather than having to disconect the unit to mak any config changes to the servo, can i simply set up a virtual 'com' port on the Host PC passing through the CVS.

cheers

Martin 

[ChristopheC]

Are you running LabVIEW or Vision Builder AI on the CVS?

-Christophe

[mjo]

ahem, LabVIEW 8.6.1...

The CVS is used for online colour measurement. The camera & optics sits inside of a box on a linear motion system, (hence the servo) The CVS communicates directly with an AB ControlLogix PLC using the ni Labs Ethernet/IP add on (sweet). The CVS Talks Modbus Serial to the Servo with some Digital IO for start stop control. On top of all this is a Host Pc for HMI Purposes. But it would be handy to allow the Maintenece guys to 'tweak' the Servo using the native software supplied with the unit (dont ask the name of the servo, lets just say cheap and barely practical)...

cheers

Martin 

[SMeserve]

Hi martin,

I've talked with some of my colleagues here and we don't think that this is possible, given the way that the software is designed to work and how the COM port signals on the CVS are configured.

[ChristopheC]

Hi,

You can install a freeware on Windows that can create a virtual COM port and redirects it to TCP commands sent to an IP Address and port you can configure. Just google "COM Port redirector" for a list of them.

Unfortunately, nothing really exists out of the box on the RT side. If you want to do that, you can easily write a simple LabVIEW program that creates a TCP listener and reroutes the bytes received on the serial port.

Hope this helps,

-Christophe

[mjo]

Hrrumm, Well it gets to a point of time vs benefit, other than the warm feeling i know i would get cracking this nut, i think i might have to skip, as i still have so many other requirements to tidy and and package. ...another third party program sitting inbetween The Servo Software and the RT system sounds like things are starting to get a little to convoluted even for me. Maybe i should just mount the servo on an ethernet to serial converter...I wonder if the LabView Modbus would walk through such a gate...Anyway thanks for the answers.

Cheers