GPIB commands for Test Machine

The GPIP (General Purpose Interface Bus) is a interface system and the commands usually cannot control any machine directly. Newer versions of the card however have problems with communication and handshaking with old equipment.

HPGL (HP Graphical Language) is used to control machines.

with instructions like:

PA x,y (Plot Absolute)

PR x,y (Plot Relative)

etc.

HPGL is a standard and LabView should support it directly.

I think the suppliers of LabView would most probably supply faster replacements cards for GPIB as well.

I now suddenly realised what your problem might be.

You may be looking for the trigger commands.

You could connect a GPIB printer in the line and intercept the command.

The address of the printer should be set (dip switches) to the same as the machine.

I have struggled (and survived) with similar problems.

Old equipment usually lack speed and it may be advisable too replace with modern equipment.

What kind of computer is used?

What does the Instron do or test?

The Instron is a tensile test machine, and we are performing compression tests. This machine is of the begining 90's and the software that we are using is LabView 8.5 (for the adquisition data) in a Laptop computer with windows XP that we bought in November 2006.

My problem: when I connect the computer to the machine and I query the command *IDN?, the machine send me nothing and appear an error like "waiting time exceeded". I think it's because the Instron doesn't understand the commands.

I will be very grateful if you could help me!

Thank you.

I'm sorry but I'm a beginner in this kind of problems with instrumentation. I have read that IEEE 488.2 established even commands (like *IDN?) in 1987 but that some kinds of machines didn't use this standards. I want to know what kind of commands I need to achieve that the machine can do what I want to say it.

Thank you,

Instron is or used to be only a few miles from me, in High Wycombe.... well okay 20 miles then, I used to know some of the people there I will see if any of them can suggest anything... assuming they still exist!!!

John.

Thank you John, it would be great. I'm trying make it works, it's hard and frustrating...but I will achieve it!

Edu

If you google 'instron 4502 manual' the results show a lot of articles describing the instrument maybe you can do what I've done in the past and contact the companies involved and ask if they can copy the manual for you....

It does work! there are some genuine people out there that will help if asked nicely!!

John.

I'm trying! I met a company that sold a software called VI Strength. With this software you could control every Instron 4200/4400/4500 series with LabView but they said that this software was obsolete and that they couldn't sell it to me, and that they don't have any copy! I can't believe it.

I follow searching,

Thank you again.

Edu

The machine is old, there is no support available from the manufacturer or other people. This really is an expensive project which will only waste your time. As I have told people many times before, this equipment is classed as a 'machine' and you therefore will have to consider safety. If an operator is injured as a result of a bug in your code you may be liable.

My company (zwick.com) specialises in this testing equipment for the last 80+ years, and as the world leader in static testing machines, we can definitely help you. We also retrofit Instron and others, but this 4502 machine is probably not worth the expense.

If you would like to contact me I am sure we can help you.

The machine works perfectly. However, I would like to change the software I'm using for a newer one to register all the measurements in the same computer and trigger them easier.

Edu

The machine is actually connected to an other computer using this GPIB Connection and it's working normally because we are performing tests with a MTS test software. The problem appears when I plug the card in a new computer that has LabView 8.5 installed. I Query *IDN? and the machine does nothing.

So, like the machine is working using the GPIB connection in the old computer and I have installed the same drivers in the new one with LabView, I think the problem could be the orders that I send to the machine.

I am reading the tutorial and then I will try again, wish me luck.

Edu

GPIB operate a dual address mode

The first part is the card number.

The second is the number on the bus.

A new card may be set incorrectly ie 1 instead of 7. using the wrong address will disable communication.

What make, model of card(s) are you using?

Is it the same one for the old and new computer?

Are you using the same cable? if not what is the numbers on the connections?

In what year was the Instron made?

On the laptop are you using interface adaptors? (GPIB to USB- Serial- Printer)

In times gone by MSDOS and pre MSDOS era, we used assembly language to access the registers on the interface directly to obtain some speed.

We are using a NI card that we exchange in the new and the old computer, the cable is also the same. We are using the same in both computers except the software. The problem is that the MTS software is closed and we can't see what are the commands that it orders to the machine to control it.

I think the Instron is of the beginning 90's. We have retrieve this machine (from an other department) like the first of a new lab that we are creating.

Maybe the address is not correct. I will try.

Thank you,

Edu

With the Instrom, interface card, cable working on your old computer the problem must be the operating systems or bios of the new computer

In 1990 it was most probably DOS or WIN 3x and the card may be a NI 488.1.

According to the FAQ'S link the 488.1 is not supported under WIN95, NT etc.

I had a 488.1 running under WIN95 with some ASM code because W95 was actually running on DOS7. I don't have a working 488.1 anymore.

If it is a 488.2 card (available since ±1988) you will have to get the correct WINDOWS drivers from NI (It can be downloaded - Getting started with WIN 9x). There is a NICONF (con fig) and a NIDIAG (Diagnostic) programs that must be executed, some driver files and a NI-PnP (Plug and Pray - card identification)

What is the model, assembly and serial number of your card?

IIt is a NI 488.2 PCI-GPIB card, serial number 00B30866.

A PCI should work?

I think you should first test the card, cable an machine on the old computer.

If it still do not work install the drivers again.

On WIN 95 upwards copying the files would not work because some files may be stored in different locations and the registry may not be updated.

An old thread, but...

1. The Ni 488.2 PCI card will work fine with 488.1 and 488.2 machines.

2. The unit you're using uses the OLD gpib command set. Find a manual. I just had to do the same thing with a NEAT motion controller...

3. This has NOTHING to do with the GPIB card, NOTHING to do with the BIOS.

4. Don't reinstall Windows.

Thank you very much for your comment. It's true that the post is pretty old, but it's not closed yet. I've already undestood that I have nothing to do without the manual, the problem is that I've asked for it to INSTRON and their answer's been that they don't have it anymore and they can't give me a copy. So I'm still using a very old computer to control the machine. I don't know what I can do if it breaks...well I know...call Instron and pay them for repairing it. Sad but true. Best regards and thank you very much, Edu

Hi Edu911,

We would like to try and help you. Would you be kind enough to send me your email address or contact details so that one of our local specialists in Spain can contact you personally?

Best regards,

David Phillips, Zwick Roell Group

Hi Edu911...

I am new in this forum and I have seen your post. I don't know if this thread is closed but I say you that I have the Programming guide for Instron Series 4400 IEEE-488 Computer interface. I made some applications for old INSTRON machines in the past using this manual. Tell me if you solved this question...

Hi Javi270278, also I'm trying to work with a machine Instrom (model 4301) with no success.Could you tell me where or how can I find the manual?

Hi Javi,

Please refer to my post on this topic from the 27th September 2007. I mentioned at that time, that this would only waste time and money.

After four years it seems that I was right.

We have a lot of experience in modernising mechanical testing machines. If you let us know your location and contact details I could get one of our experts to discuss your needs and find a good solution for you.

Hi anunez,

A customer supplied me the documentation some years ago. I don't know if INSTRON has this info in his web. If you can't find anything, I can try send you the user manual. The only problem is that the information is on paper...

Tell me something

Hi Javi,

I would like to have a copy of the instruction set for Instron 4200 if you happen to have one.

Thanks a lot

No problem...

Give me a valid e-mail and I will send you the PDF doc...

Javi270268 may I ask you the pdf...?

Hi Javi, I was wondering if you still have a PDF copy of the Programming Guide for the Instron 4400 on hand.

sferguson@muanalysis.com

Thanks a bunch

-S

Hi Javi,

I´m working on a 4200 here.

Could you send me a copy too?

Tks

Javi,

May I also request a copy of the 4200 GPIB programming document..

Thank You

Hi Javi,

The thread is not still closed but I'm leaving the lab and I'm not going to be using the machine any more.

Thank you very much and if I ever come back I'll contact you.

I'm going to close the thread. Thank you very much to everybody for your help.

Edu

Hi Javi,

I am trying to control old Instron machine using IEEE-488 interface from Linux but it is impossible to write the control application without the Programming guide and Instron doesn't provide it for download.

Could you please send me a copy of the manual?

Thanks a lot

Hi koudepe5,

No problem, send me a valid email direction to my mail box and I send you the PDF manual.

Javi,

I have a similar issue with an old 4200. Could you send me a copy of the Programming guide you referenced?

Hi Javi,

I have a similar issue with an 4505. Is it possible to send me a copy of the Programming guide you referenced?

Thank you.

Hi Javi,

I know it has been a while since your post, but is it possible to send me a copy of the Programming guide you referenced? I'm working on a 4400.

Thank you.

Has anyone found this program?
https://www.testandmeasurement.com/doc/vi-strength-0001