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Configuring Equipment Interfacing

Configuring Equipment Interfacing

Owned by Krzysztof Kot
Last updated: Jan 09, 2020

QEST Platform 4.90
Applies to QESTLab 

This article describes how to use the equipment interface screen and the requirements for interfacing equipment with QESTLab. 

Contents

Overview

Laboratory equipment often allows for electronic data collection, typically via an RS-232 port. QESTLab can communicate with the equipment for the collection of data that would otherwise need to be typed in by an operator. This could lead to an increased efficiency and reduces error.

Prerequisites for Interfacing Equipment with QESTLab

The QESTLab component that communicates between QESTLab electronic worksheets and the laboratory equipment is called the QEI (QEST Equipment Interface). Not all equipment can be interfaced with the QESTLab software. The main guideline's for equipment to interface with QESTLab are:

  • The serial output for the equipment can be read through a COM Port.
  • The equipment data output from the equipment to the PC match the expected format of a /wiki/spaces/QPS/pages/696745986.

If a native equipment driver does not exist for a specific equipment item, a new driver could be developed based on analysis equipment details (technical manual) and the equipment output. Based upon many factors the time and cost for developing a new equipment driver can vary. If a new equipment driver is desired, please submit a service request with the machine technical manual and an equipment output for Spectra QEST to review and quote.


Some equipment drivers currently exist for the following equipment items:

  • Electronic Balance
  • Compression Machine
  • Concrete Cylinder Measure Machine
  • Shrinkage Gauge

The equipment drivers for these devices vary and are sometimes related to a specific model or make of equipment. Each equipment output should be verified by Spectra QEST before interfacing with QESTLab. 



The following information is required to interface equipment with QESTLab:

Connected to PC

The Windows name of the personal computer that the equipment is physically connected to. If you do not know your computer name, go to the Help --> About menu in QESTLab. On the window that appears, if a value for Terminal is specified, enter this value; otherwise enter the value as described in Client.

Driver

Select a compatible driver for the equipment. If a driver is not available Spectra QEST may be able to develop one. Availability of drivers is subject to licensing.

COM Port

The COM Port that the equipment is connected to (typically from 1 to 4)

COM Port Settings

The COM Port settings in the format:
baud rate, parity, bits, stop bits
for example 9600,N,8,1

Obtaining Equipment Output Using Realterm

For equipment to interface with QESTLab, a equipment driver is required. Spectra QEST has a number of equipment drivers available for various digital equipment devices to connect with QESTLab. In order to use one of the existing equipment drivers the output from the device will need to match the expected format. RealTerm is recommended to capture the output from the device for communication verification: http://realterm.sourceforge.net. RealTerm is an engineers terminal program specifically designed for capturing, controlling and debugging binary and other difficult data streams. To capture the device output from RealTerm follow the steps below:

  1. Determine the COM port device the equipment is connected to.
    1. If the ports are physically on the PC, they should be marked in device manager.
    2. If the equipment is using virtual COM ports from a USB adapter, the number will need to be determined appropriately from device manager.
  2. Run RealTerm software and configure the following Port tab settings (the equipment manual for each equipment device should contain configuration settings and instructions on how they can be set): 
    1. Baud
    2. Parity
    3. Data Bits
    4. Stop Bits
  3. Click  when the Port tab settings have all been entered per the equipment device' manual. 
  4. Click  for RealTerm to start reading data from the equipment item to the PC. In some cases the equipment item will require additional configuration to allow data to be pushed to a PC. In this scenario please contact the equipment manufacturer for further information on the process to push data from the equipment item to a PC. 
  5. When information is transferred from the device, RealTerm should capture the output. The output should appear in the main window similar to the example below. Note also the Status frame green indicators in the image.



  6. To capture the output from RealTerm:
    1. Click on the Capture tab and select a File location by clicking the  button.
    2. Click the  button to begin capturing data.
    3. Click the to stop capturing data.
    4. Save the output to a text file.
    5. Alternatively, simply copy the output from the terminal screen above using the normal right click menu.

Spectra QEST recommend capturing at least 3 or 4 readings per device and preparing a separate text file for each device that is to be interfaced. 

Troubleshooting Data Capture

ProblemInvestigate 
No communication observed in RealTerm
  • Correct cable type (null modem or straight through - refer to the device manual for correct cable type).
  • Correct COM port selected.
  • Balance and PC connected correctly.
  • If USB adapter is being used, ensure virtual COM port exists.
  • Ensure status indicators in RealTerm show activity when pressing  button. If not, try a different cable.
Communication in RealTerm appears distorted or is composed of NULL charactersThe COM port, Baud, Parity, Data Bits and Stop Sit settings are likely incorrect. Check the setup of the balance and ensure the correct settings are being used in RealTerm.

RealTerm Error – Port is already open when opening RealTerm or clicking 

Another process is using the COM port. Ensure that only one instance of RealTerm is running. 

Configuring Equipment Interface

The use the equipment interface in QESTLab the feature must be licensed. If the feature is licensed an additional Interface tab will be available on the equipment data entry form for equipment items in the Equipment register.

From this tab you will need to set the:

Connected to PC

The Windows name of the personal computer that the equipment is physically connected to. If you do not know your computer name, go to the Help --> About menu in QESTLab. On the window that appears, if a value for Terminal is specified, enter this value; otherwise enter the value as described in Client.

Driver

Select a compatible driver for the equipment. 

COM Port

The COM Port that the equipment is connected to.

COM Port Settings

The COM Port settings in the format: Baud Rate, Parity, Bits, Stop Bits
For example: 9600,N,8,1

Equipment AvailabilityThis list shows all the electronic worksheets (test methods) that can interface with this type of equipment. Select the worksheets where this interfaced equipment will be used.

Some equipment may require additional calibration information, this varies depending on the equipment type and driver. If QESTLab needs to perform a calibration for the equipment to interface with the equipment item then a 'Calibrate' button will be available on the screen. This button is only enabled when you are working on the PC that is connected to the equipment item.

Interfacing Equipment for QESTLab Weigh & Measure Station 

When using the Weigh & Measure Station there are two types of interfacing scenarios. 

  1. To configure a separate Concrete Cylinder Measure and Balance interface.
  2. To combine the Concrete Cylinder Measure and Balance interface. 

Separate Concrete Cylinder Measure and Balance

To configure a Cylinder Measure to interface dimensions but not weight:

  • Select a driver that only interfaces dimensions.
    Note: Most drivers are dimensions only, a combined driver will be named appropriately to ensure there is no confusion that it interfaces weight.

Combined Concrete Cylinder Measure and Balance

To configure a Cylinder Measure to interface dimensions and weight:

  • Select a driver that interfaces both dimensions and weight.
  • Calibrate the equipment, set the calibration value "Measure Weight (Yes/No)" = "Yes"

Using the Equipment

When working with an electronic worksheet that supports equipment interfacing, the equipment item can be selected from the drop down combo on a test the test worksheet. If the equipment interfaced item is selected on the PC that was specified in the equipment interface tab then a blue band will be visible above and below the drop down combo.


If the blue band does not appear, the equipment item will not connect with QESTLab. See Troubleshooting. 

Data Collection - With Interfaced Balance 

Once you have selected the equipment item connected to the current PC, all fields that can be collected from the equipment will also be highlighted by blue bands.

To move between fields use TAB on the keyboard or click onto an interfaced field. Once selected press SPACE to start communication with the interfaced equipment item. A window similar to the following will be displayed.

Once a reading has successfully been taken it will be displayed in the window with the following options:

 - If the value is not accurate click this button to bring in an updated value from the equipment.

 - Click when the value is acceptable and it will be automatically added to the interfaced field/

- Click to return to the test worksheet without saving the interfaced data. 

Data Collection – Concrete Testing  

Two specialized modules are available for concrete testing. The QESTLab Weigh & Measure Station for interfacing to a laser measurement apparatus and balance and the QESTLab Concrete Crush Station for interfacing to a compression machine. These modules are designed for optimised data entry. 

QESTLab Weigh & Measure Station

Separate Concrete Cylinder Measure and Balance

As per the standard electronic worksheets, the equipment is selected using the drop down combo. When using separate interfaced equipment, select the Concrete Cylinder Measure using the dimensions only driver, and a Balance with it's own interfaced balance. Steps to complete the data entry with the interfaced equipment is as follows:

  1. The QEST Weigh & Measure Station supports three different methods of searching for concrete specimens to test.

    1. By Test Date - Select a date from the Test Date drop-down. All concrete specimens due for test on the specified date at the selected laboratory will be listed in the Next Specimen ID drop-down.

    2. By Date Cast - Select a date from the Date Cast drop-down. All concrete specimens which were cast on the specified date assigned to the selected laboratory for testing will be listed in the Next Specimen ID drop-down.

    3. If the specimen ID is known, it can be directly entered into the Next Specimen ID drop-down. Note, unexpected behaviour can result if duplicate specimen IDs are found. 

  2. Once the specimen is selected press ENTER, the specimen and sample information is displayed. The interface will show separate joined connections to each equipment item, the Concrete Cylinder Measure with the dimensions and the Balance with the weight. 
  3. Press ENTER again to commence interfacing and ENTER to accept the returned value(s) once they are displayed. Choosing to accept the result will write the dimension and weight details to the grid.
  4. If there was an error in reading the result, it can be manually adjusted by editing the values in the grid. 
  5. The Next Specimen ID will have been automatically incremented to the next one in the list. If this is correct, the user need only hit Enter to begin testing the next specimen. Otherwise, locate the desired specimen in the drop-down list and press Select to commence the process.


Combined Concrete Cylinder Measure and Balance

When using the combined interface, select the Concrete Cylinder Measure with the driver that users both dimensions and weight. When selected the Balance equipment selection will be hidden as it is unused. Steps to complete the data entry with the combines interfaced equipment is identical to the steps for the Separate Concrete Cylinder Measure and Balance. However, the interface will show a single connection combining the dimensions and weight with the Concrete Cylinder Measure.


QESTLab Concrete Crush Station

As per the standard electronic worksheets, the equipment on the QEST Crush Station is selected using the drop down combo.

Steps to complete the data entry with the interfaced equipment is as follows:

  1. Search for the Specimen ID, the QEST Crush Station supports three different methods of searching for concrete specimens to test.

    1. By Test Date - Select a date from the Test Date drop-down. All concrete specimens due for test on the specified date at the selected laboratory will be listed in the Next Specimen ID drop-down.

    2. By Date Cast - Select a date from the Date Cast drop-down. All concrete specimens which were cast on the specified date assigned to the selected laboratory for testing will be listed in the Next Specimen ID drop-down.

    3. If the specimen ID is known, it can be directly entered into the Next Specimen ID drop-down. Note, unexpected behaviour can result if duplicate specimen IDs are found.

  2. Once the specimen is selected press ENTER, the specimen and sample information is displayed. 
  3. Press ENTER again to commence interfacing and ENTER to accept the returned value(s) once they are displayed. Choosing to accept the result will write the load together with the calculated strength to the grid.
  4. If there was an error in reading the result, it can be manually adjusted by editing the Load value in the grid. 
  5. The Next Specimen ID will have been automatically incremented to the next one in the list. If this is correct, the user need only hit Enter to begin testing the next specimen. Otherwise, locate the desired specimen in the drop-down list and press Select to commence the process.



Troubleshooting

Various problems can prevent the successful interfacing of equipment.

ProblemInvestigate 

COM Port Errors

The COM Port is not operating correctly. It is important that the user establishes that the COM Port is working independently of the QESTLab.

COM Port Settings

The COM Port Settings (baud rate, parity, etc.) are incorrect. Consult the manual provided with the equipment regarding the settings. These can often be adjusted and should be verified independently outside of QESTLab.

Incompatible Driver

Equipment drivers are developed by Spectra QEST based on documentation provided by the equipment manufactures and data collected directly via communication with the machine. The output can sometimes vary even between the same make and model. The only reliable way of confirming the output is to use a third party COMs application (such as Realterm) to collect output directly from the machine.

Citrix Issues

When running the QESTLab over Citrix the local COM port on the client machine needs to be redirected to the server. For this port redirection to work the Citrix environment needs to be configured correctly. In Spectra QEST's experience this can at times be unreliable. If a problem occurs where the QEST Equipment Interface is reporting that it can not open a port on a usually reliable connection then the PC and equipment should be powered down and restarted. These problems need to be investigated and resolved by your IT department.

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