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Datalogging Using Open Source?
trd79 asks: "I am responsible for setting up a system to monitor various parameters on a factory production line (mainly chemical flow rates and temperatures).
I am currently using a datalogger from dataTaker and using their software (on a WinXP box) to graph the data in real time and download the data from the logger at the end of a shift. I would like to make the system more robust and reduce the need for user intervention. Does anyone know of open source data acquisition systems which are able to interface to popular datalogger brands? The ability to produce real time plots of the data during logging would be an advantage. Buying a new logger would not be a problem."
"I don't really want to have to rely on the current XP system, as I don't believe it will survive being left on its own on the factory floor for long. Automation is key, as the line operators often forget to start/stop/download the logger. I would be interested to know if anyone have set up similar systems and if so, how well it worked."
I run a business in Industrial Automation, and have written some substantial data logging, plotting, and reporting systems for clients due to the fact that it's not easy to find products that do what they need (or can do it at an affordable price). Sound's like you're running into that same wall. Most of my programming is middleman code between PLCs and SQL Server or Oracle, with the occasional logging to Access or a Text file.
:) If you have any more specific questions, ask away!
Unfortunately I can't share my projects due to NDAs. I don't have any open source projects of note to point you toward either, the Industrial world is closed to the extreme. It's a bitch sometimes just getting communications protocol info for a device. Anyway, like the old saying goes- "If you want something done right, do it yourself". I noticed the manufacturer of your device has an ActiveX control available to help you create your own software, so you're one step ahead already! You should download it and code away... It's not hard to find sample code on the web that shows how to write to a db/file format of your choice. The same goes for plotting data points.
Finally, if that XP Computer is not in an enclosure try to get it off the production floor. If you don't have Ethernet capability in your device, run a couple hundred meters of shielded twisted-pair wire and communicate over RS-485 from the saftety of an office. If you have a lot of these boxes floating around, try to create several runs of a few devices each back to a RS-485 multiport card/box to keep the 485 network snappy (try ConnectTech if you don't know where to start). I did a power monitoring system for a particle accelerator just like that in the late 90's and it is still in use today.
Sorry I couldn't be of more help
Urge to post... fading... fading... RISING!... fading... fading... gone.
According to a datataker forum post in response to a question about the DT515 Linux:
/dev/ttyS0") to capture the ASCII data.
The dataTaker transmits and receives simple ASCII commands. You can use any simple terminal program to program and recive data from a Datataker data logger.
Wonder if this would work for the DT80. If you connect using a serial cable you can use the Linux cu command (something like "cu --parity=none -s 115200 -l
From there you can probably pipe into gnuplot
Always happy to help anyone move to Linux.
You said: ...</i>
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<i>"I don't know how to setup windows XP so it runs reliably"
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If you have no experience in setting up windows XP so it runs reliably
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Sorry, but you lose. The poster said:
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<i>I don't really want to have to rely on the current XP system, as I don't believe it will survive being left on its own on the factory floor for long.</i>
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In no way does this imply that he/she doesn't know how to set up the system to run reliably. It is within the realm of possibility that your assumption is correct, but the real reason could be because ninja monkeys loot their buildings every third tuesday, and November is "loot Windows XP boxes month".
I am not sure if this is entirely what you are looking for but MRTG is an open source SNMP monitor. It may work in your situation if the logger supports snmp. It can be a ittle tricky to use so recomend looking for configuration tools or the configuration file help on the MRTG website. On the plus side it will create 5 real-time graphs updated every x minutes for each variable you monitor, going all the way back to daily averages for the year. It works on windows xp and is easily migratable because it is written in PERL.
Enjoy and i hope it works