I have revisited the original flexport gage interface data acquisition pogram I posted previously to include a real time plot display as well as the immediate creation of an excel file for plotting and data analaysis.
I wish to extend a special thanks to folks at MidwestFlex for the loaner flexport FP-4U to test the program on.
Typically the flexport can be used in conjunction with the Chicago Dial Indicator gage to measure the linear length and subsequent change in linear length of mortars and grout formulations.
Currently for many this is accomplished by taking periodic, manual readings. This manual method has many limitations, but primarily the lack datapoints overnight and during weekends. This program is provided as a facilitator for the utilization of the Flexport FP gage interfaces which when used in conjunction with the Chicago Dial Inidcator gages can allow automated data acquisition via a personal computer, hence "filling in the gaps" where reading were not previously taken.
The program currently provided was written in QBASIC due to it's ease in comprehension and modification, availability and negligible cost. That is not to say there aren't limitations to using QBASIC (i.e. imperfect timing). The aformention limitations are undoubtedly magnified due to my programming ability (or lack thereof), for which I apologize.
I do plan to post future versions in Visual C++.
It is my hope that this program will serve as guidance for those looking to utilize the gages and interfaces mentioned earlier, and perhaps to inspire others to adapt it for other purposes or to improve upon it.
CBey
CLS
CLEAR
'BASIC DATA AQCUISITION PROGRAM...
'INTENDED FOR THE FLEXPORT FP 4U IN DEFAULT CONFIGURATION
'IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHICAGO DIAL INDICATOR BG COMPARATOR GAGES
'PLEASE BE SURE TO DISABLE THE AUTO-OFF FUNCTION (INDICATED BY HOURGLASS) ON THE GAGE...
'BY PRESSING AND HOLDING "2ND" BUTTON UNTIL "2ND" APPEARS ON SCREEN, THEN PRESS "OFF" BUTTON...
'TO DISABLE AUTO OFF FUNCTION. THE HOURGLASS SHOULD DISAPPEAR
'ALSO BE CERTAIN TO DISABLE SCREENSAVER AND POWERSAVE FEATURES ON YOUR COMPUTER AS THEY WILL INTERRUPT READINGS
'THIS PROGRAM WAS WRITTEN IN QBASIC SO THE CODE WOULD BE EASY TO FOLLOW AND MODIFY AS WELL AS HAVING A READILY
'...AVAILABLE FREE COMPILER ONLINE
SCREEN 12'SOME MONITORS MAY NOT SUPPORT THIS SCREEN CONFIGURATION
INPUT "PLEASE ENTER A FILENAME TO RECORD YOUR MEASUREMENTS"; FILE$
INPUT "SAMPLING RATE IN SECONDS (I.E. ENTER 30 FOR EVERY 30 SECONDS)"; RATE
INPUT "TOTAL SAMPLING DURATION IN MINUTES"; SAMPLE
LET DURATION = SAMPLE * 60
LET READINGS = DURATION / RATE
ACTREAD = READINGS + 1
FILENAME$ = FILE$ + ".XLS"
OPEN "COM1:9600,N,8,1,CD,CS,DS,RS" FOR RANDOM AS #1
OPEN FILENAME$ FOR OUTPUT AS #2' CREATES EXCEL FILE FOR DATA
PRINT #2, "TIME(SEC)"; CHR$(9); "LLC1"; CHR$(9); "LLC2"; CHR$(9); "LLC3"; CHR$(9); "LLC4"; CHR$(9); "DATE";CHR$(9); "TIME"; CHR$(9); "CPU TIMER"'COLUMN HEADERS IN EXCEL SPREADSHEET..CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS LINE
CLS
PRINT "PRESS 'Esc' TO STOP MEASUREMENTS..."'INTRO FOR INKEY BELOW ALLOWING ONE KEY TERMINATION OF MEASUREMENTS
VIEW PRINT 14 TO 15: LOCATE 15, 4: PRINT "0"
VIEW PRINT 3 TO 4: LOCATE 3, 3: PRINT "+5"
VIEW PRINT 26 TO 27: LOCATE 26, 3: PRINT "-5"
VIEW (500, 400)-(40, 40), , 1'ESTABLISHES VIEW WINDOW FOR GRAPH
WINDOW (0, -5)-(ACTREAD, 5)'ESTABLISHES SCALE FOR GRAPH
LINE (0, 0)-(ACTREAD, 0)'SETS 0 LINE FOR MONTORING EXPANSION OR SHRINKAGE
FOR X = 0 TO READINGS
Z = X * RATE
VIEW PRINT 29 TO 30
LOCATE 30, 15: PRINT DATE$, TIME$
'LLC1
WRITE #1, "!@R01"'COMMAND TO FLEXPORT CHANNEL 1 TO TAKE COMPARATOR READING
INPUT #1, A$, COUNT, LREADING1, MODE$, B$'ASSIGNMENT OF VARIABLES AND ACQUISITION OF READING
PSET (X, LREADING1)'GRAPHING DATA POINTS FOR LLC1
LINE STEP(0, 0)-STEP(.35, 0), 2
'LLC2 READING
WRITE #1, "!@R02"
INPUT #1, A$, COUNT, LREADING2, MODE$, B$
PSET (X, LREADING2)'GRAPHING DATA POINTS FOR LLC2
CIRCLE STEP(0, 0), .25, 3
'LLC3 READING
WRITE #1, "!@R03"
INPUT #1, A$, COUNT, LREADING3, MODE$, B$
PSET (X, LREADING3)'GRAPHING DATA POINTS FOR LLC3
LINE STEP(0, 0)-STEP(0, .25), 4
'LLC4 READING
WRITE #1, "!@R04"
INPUT #1, A$, COUNT, LREADING4, MODE$, B$
PSET (X, LREADING4)'GRAPHING DATA POINTS FOR LLC4
CIRCLE STEP(0, 0), .125
PRINT #2, Z; CHR$(9); LREADING1; CHR$(9); LREADING2; CHR$(9); LREADING3; CHR$(9); LREADING4; CHR$(9); DATE$;CHR$(9); TIME$; CHR$(9); TIMER',READING,MODE$ TO BE INCLUDED SENDS DATA TO COLUMNS IN EXCEL SPREADSHEET
VIEW PRINT 10 TO 15
COLOR 2
LOCATE 10, 65: PRINT "LLC1 "; USING "###.###"; LREADING1 'REALTIME DATA VIEW IN TXT
COLOR 3
LOCATE 11, 65: PRINT "LLC2 "; USING "###.###"; LREADING2
COLOR 4
LOCATE 12, 65: PRINT "LLC3 "; USING "###.###"; LREADING3
COLOR 7
LOCATE 13, 65: PRINT "LLC4 "; USING "###.###"; LREADING4
VIEW PRINT 29 TO 30
LOCATE 29, 45: PRINT "X="; Z
VIEW PRINT 16 TO 20
LOCATE 16, 65: PRINT FILENAME$
LOCATE 17, 65: PRINT "RATE"; RATE
LOCATE 18, 65: PRINT "DURATION"; SAMPLE
LOCATE 19, 65: PRINT "READINGS"; ACTREAD
IF X = READINGS THEN END ELSE
TIME = 804269 '(792055/SECOND) to (806807/SECOND) APPROXIMATELY WILL DEPEND ON CPU CLOCK SPEED AND TIME TO
'... EXECUTE INTERSTITIAL COMMANDS
IF INKEY$ = CHR$(27) THEN END ELSE
FOR J = 1 TO RATE
IF INKEY$ = CHR$(27) THEN END ELSE 'OPTIONAL INTENDED FOR LONG DURATION BETWEEN SAMPLES (OR USE CTRL + BREAK)
FOR t = 0 TO TIME
NEXT t
NEXT J
NEXT X
I wish to extend a special thanks to folks at MidwestFlex for the loaner flexport FP-4U to test the program on.
Typically the flexport can be used in conjunction with the Chicago Dial Indicator gage to measure the linear length and subsequent change in linear length of mortars and grout formulations.
Currently for many this is accomplished by taking periodic, manual readings. This manual method has many limitations, but primarily the lack datapoints overnight and during weekends. This program is provided as a facilitator for the utilization of the Flexport FP gage interfaces which when used in conjunction with the Chicago Dial Inidcator gages can allow automated data acquisition via a personal computer, hence "filling in the gaps" where reading were not previously taken.
The program currently provided was written in QBASIC due to it's ease in comprehension and modification, availability and negligible cost. That is not to say there aren't limitations to using QBASIC (i.e. imperfect timing). The aformention limitations are undoubtedly magnified due to my programming ability (or lack thereof), for which I apologize.
I do plan to post future versions in Visual C++.
It is my hope that this program will serve as guidance for those looking to utilize the gages and interfaces mentioned earlier, and perhaps to inspire others to adapt it for other purposes or to improve upon it.
CBey
CLS
CLEAR
'BASIC DATA AQCUISITION PROGRAM...
'INTENDED FOR THE FLEXPORT FP 4U IN DEFAULT CONFIGURATION
'IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHICAGO DIAL INDICATOR BG COMPARATOR GAGES
'PLEASE BE SURE TO DISABLE THE AUTO-OFF FUNCTION (INDICATED BY HOURGLASS) ON THE GAGE...
'BY PRESSING AND HOLDING "2ND" BUTTON UNTIL "2ND" APPEARS ON SCREEN, THEN PRESS "OFF" BUTTON...
'TO DISABLE AUTO OFF FUNCTION. THE HOURGLASS SHOULD DISAPPEAR
'ALSO BE CERTAIN TO DISABLE SCREENSAVER AND POWERSAVE FEATURES ON YOUR COMPUTER AS THEY WILL INTERRUPT READINGS
'THIS PROGRAM WAS WRITTEN IN QBASIC SO THE CODE WOULD BE EASY TO FOLLOW AND MODIFY AS WELL AS HAVING A READILY
'...AVAILABLE FREE COMPILER ONLINE
SCREEN 12'SOME MONITORS MAY NOT SUPPORT THIS SCREEN CONFIGURATION
INPUT "PLEASE ENTER A FILENAME TO RECORD YOUR MEASUREMENTS"; FILE$
INPUT "SAMPLING RATE IN SECONDS (I.E. ENTER 30 FOR EVERY 30 SECONDS)"; RATE
INPUT "TOTAL SAMPLING DURATION IN MINUTES"; SAMPLE
LET DURATION = SAMPLE * 60
LET READINGS = DURATION / RATE
ACTREAD = READINGS + 1
FILENAME$ = FILE$ + ".XLS"
OPEN "COM1:9600,N,8,1,CD,CS,DS,RS" FOR RANDOM AS #1
OPEN FILENAME$ FOR OUTPUT AS #2' CREATES EXCEL FILE FOR DATA
PRINT #2, "TIME(SEC)"; CHR$(9); "LLC1"; CHR$(9); "LLC2"; CHR$(9); "LLC3"; CHR$(9); "LLC4"; CHR$(9); "DATE";CHR$(9); "TIME"; CHR$(9); "CPU TIMER"'COLUMN HEADERS IN EXCEL SPREADSHEET..CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS LINE
CLS
PRINT "PRESS 'Esc' TO STOP MEASUREMENTS..."'INTRO FOR INKEY BELOW ALLOWING ONE KEY TERMINATION OF MEASUREMENTS
VIEW PRINT 14 TO 15: LOCATE 15, 4: PRINT "0"
VIEW PRINT 3 TO 4: LOCATE 3, 3: PRINT "+5"
VIEW PRINT 26 TO 27: LOCATE 26, 3: PRINT "-5"
VIEW (500, 400)-(40, 40), , 1'ESTABLISHES VIEW WINDOW FOR GRAPH
WINDOW (0, -5)-(ACTREAD, 5)'ESTABLISHES SCALE FOR GRAPH
LINE (0, 0)-(ACTREAD, 0)'SETS 0 LINE FOR MONTORING EXPANSION OR SHRINKAGE
FOR X = 0 TO READINGS
Z = X * RATE
VIEW PRINT 29 TO 30
LOCATE 30, 15: PRINT DATE$, TIME$
'LLC1
WRITE #1, "!@R01"'COMMAND TO FLEXPORT CHANNEL 1 TO TAKE COMPARATOR READING
INPUT #1, A$, COUNT, LREADING1, MODE$, B$'ASSIGNMENT OF VARIABLES AND ACQUISITION OF READING
PSET (X, LREADING1)'GRAPHING DATA POINTS FOR LLC1
LINE STEP(0, 0)-STEP(.35, 0), 2
'LLC2 READING
WRITE #1, "!@R02"
INPUT #1, A$, COUNT, LREADING2, MODE$, B$
PSET (X, LREADING2)'GRAPHING DATA POINTS FOR LLC2
CIRCLE STEP(0, 0), .25, 3
'LLC3 READING
WRITE #1, "!@R03"
INPUT #1, A$, COUNT, LREADING3, MODE$, B$
PSET (X, LREADING3)'GRAPHING DATA POINTS FOR LLC3
LINE STEP(0, 0)-STEP(0, .25), 4
'LLC4 READING
WRITE #1, "!@R04"
INPUT #1, A$, COUNT, LREADING4, MODE$, B$
PSET (X, LREADING4)'GRAPHING DATA POINTS FOR LLC4
CIRCLE STEP(0, 0), .125
PRINT #2, Z; CHR$(9); LREADING1; CHR$(9); LREADING2; CHR$(9); LREADING3; CHR$(9); LREADING4; CHR$(9); DATE$;CHR$(9); TIME$; CHR$(9); TIMER',READING,MODE$ TO BE INCLUDED SENDS DATA TO COLUMNS IN EXCEL SPREADSHEET
VIEW PRINT 10 TO 15
COLOR 2
LOCATE 10, 65: PRINT "LLC1 "; USING "###.###"; LREADING1 'REALTIME DATA VIEW IN TXT
COLOR 3
LOCATE 11, 65: PRINT "LLC2 "; USING "###.###"; LREADING2
COLOR 4
LOCATE 12, 65: PRINT "LLC3 "; USING "###.###"; LREADING3
COLOR 7
LOCATE 13, 65: PRINT "LLC4 "; USING "###.###"; LREADING4
VIEW PRINT 29 TO 30
LOCATE 29, 45: PRINT "X="; Z
VIEW PRINT 16 TO 20
LOCATE 16, 65: PRINT FILENAME$
LOCATE 17, 65: PRINT "RATE"; RATE
LOCATE 18, 65: PRINT "DURATION"; SAMPLE
LOCATE 19, 65: PRINT "READINGS"; ACTREAD
IF X = READINGS THEN END ELSE
TIME = 804269 '(792055/SECOND) to (806807/SECOND) APPROXIMATELY WILL DEPEND ON CPU CLOCK SPEED AND TIME TO
'... EXECUTE INTERSTITIAL COMMANDS
IF INKEY$ = CHR$(27) THEN END ELSE
FOR J = 1 TO RATE
IF INKEY$ = CHR$(27) THEN END ELSE 'OPTIONAL INTENDED FOR LONG DURATION BETWEEN SAMPLES (OR USE CTRL + BREAK)
FOR t = 0 TO TIME
NEXT t
NEXT J
NEXT X