Controlling external equipment

[Cainnech]

Hello all,

I have a big challenge ahead of me but I'm gonna need a lot of help from experts on this one.

I have to create a system that can receive input from external devices. So when users push a button, the software has to perform a function. But I have several inputs...

So the first fase that I want to accomplish is to connect the different inputs to the pc and identify them in VB. So just a simple messagebox that appears when I push one of the buttons that tells me what input was just used.

I think I should try to give every input an id and let VB recognize the id. But that's easier said then done.

Does anybody here have experience with controlling a program from external equipment. Any help would be useful.

Sincerely,

Kenneth

[hirzel]

There are several ways of doing this,

I use both internal and external devices.

Google Digital IO PCI cards. An 8 in / 8 out PCI card goes for a couple hundred bucks.

http://www.circuitspecialists.com/prod.itml/icOid/2601


I also have used USB devices, LabJack and Measurement computing.

Here is one device I like, Switch and Sense 8/8 from Measurement computing.

http://www.measurementcomputing.com


ALSO - If you need an industrial keypad - I use these:

http://www.x-keys.com/



AND, if your really into it, Look at Automation Direct, I use Ethernet based controllers here at the plant (405 and H205 PLCs that are controlled directly from a computer via H4-EBC and H2-EBC). These are full blown PLCs ( I have hundreds of In, Out, and Analog) that the CPU of the PLC is actually your PC.

I run both "Think and DO" and I've also written many programs that use the EBC activeX to talk to the EBC module (This CActiveX is available from Automation Direct and allows your VB or C program to communicate directly with the EBC (Ethernet Control Module).



Good luck

John