timer to laptop

[deetz]

Looking for an application to use an external digital timer to interface with a laptop. We have a small test machine that has digital timer that I would like to be able to control or view from the laptop. I tried looking on the internet for like a digital timer that has a usb port connection, but no luck. Maybe someone out there has found something and you can relay that info please.

 

[VEBill]

Could you dispense with the 'timer' and simply control the test machine using the laptop? Any requirement for timing thus becomes simply some software.

It seems redundant to use a laptop to control a timer.

 

[deetz]

True, but if I were to have it stop when the test is done will the laptop take an input?

 

[OperaHouse]

One option is the ADURNO UNO. This microcontroller has a USB connector and programs in a prety simple C. Costs less than $30 ($17 shipped for the 2011 version)and comes with a lot of serial, math, and timing routines. The development system is FREE and contains a serial monitor screen you could use or finjd a serial display. It can be powered by the laptop A neophyte could get this up and running in a day. This is an ideal basis for a test stand. 6 analog and 12 digital. Add some test procedures that you would have never considered before.

 

[IRstuff]

that would be ARDUINO, and I concur

However, there are other Arduino boards that might be even interesting as well. You can get Bluetooth or XBee daughtercards that would eliminate the tether to the laptop, assuming you can get power elsewhere.

In any case, the rest of the OP seems in imply that they need National Instruments' Labview, as well. This would allow you to rapidly construct control panels and whatnot.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[OperaHouse]

I should mention that I have FLYSDEXIA and that happens now and then. There are probably a number of outfits like DATAQ Instruments that have small in a box modules which would be plug n play into labwhatever for more cost. I worked at a place that went nuts if they had to spend more than $20 on a test fixture. Guess that thinking stuck.

 

[DTR2011]

Why not connect and control &view with MS remote desktop or any of the other commercial programs for webinars? You can reverse who is controlling whom and access the fixed PC w/ timer interface from anywhere.

 

[jraef]

All you need is simple to use USB I/O modules (click for link).



"Dear future generations: Please accept our apologies. We were rolling drunk on petroleum."
— Kilgore Trout (via Kurt Vonnegut)
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[VEBill]

If the laptop is not "legacy-free" (and thus it has serial or parallel ports), then one could interface discrete I/O signals via those pins. It would require interface circuitry.

One could also "hack" a cheap USB keyboard or cheap USB mouse buttons using relays.

 

[deetz]

Thanks Guys. All good ideas.