looking for thermocouple/computer interface.

[Brian Newman]

Any ideas?

[slacker23]

http://www.kilntrol.com
hope this helps

[FredLight]

and this....
http://www.skutt.com/glass/accessories/cis.php

[FredLight]

I used to work with a guy that said this was simple to hook-up yourself if you were skilled at dismantling your own computer for repairs, mods and entertainment. I know there are some people here that profess to have these skills.

I bet if you say they can't do it, you'll have your DIY tutorial in a day.

[smutboy420]

Theres a guy that makes sweet ones and sells them on ebay for $125 (http://cgi.ebay.com/Temperature-Controller-Logger-PC-software-kiln-control_W0QQitemZ7588755155QQcategoryZ50926QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
you need to supply the kiln and any POS pc you have laying around. it don't even need to be a fancy pc. A few peep that have goten one said they where pimp as hell.
IF your planing on running a big kiln off it you might need to get a biger relay from him for a few more $ but he is really reasonablely priced.

I'm getting one at some point. its next on my list right after a wonka torch stand for megs GTT

[zgeniez]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Temperature-Controller-Logger-PC-software-kiln-control_W0QQitemZ7588755155QQcategoryZ50926QQssPag eNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i think there are a couple people here that have this system.

[zgeniez]

haha...timing is everything!

[zgeniez]

Here's a link (http://www.glassartists.org/Gallery.asp?GalleryID=11302) to how this guy put his together.

[Greymatter Glass]

in theory you could plug in a TC directly to the serial port, it's got a few analog channels.....

but um, I have a radioshack multimeter ($40) that has a PC interface that I use.... it's not a controller, just a computer read out of the temp curve plotted out.

[FredLight]

Doug,
you're holding out aren't you? I somehow KNOW you got that all hooked up already.
RadioShack? $40? Sweet, tell me more. What program do I need to use to chart a firing?

[Brian Newman]

in theory you could plug in a TC directly to the serial port, it's got a few analog channels.....

but um, I have a radioshack multimeter ($40) that has a PC interface that I use.... it's not a controller, just a computer read out of the temp curve plotted out.
Bingo! I plan on writing the software (to run on linux) with my uncle who can help me with the self-correcting algorithms to "learn" the behavior of each kiln. The output (switching) should be easy enough.

[Zed]

I have the embedded RF (ebay sellers name) system, the one for $125 off of ebay. It works great for fusing glass which I am doing more of, but can be a pain for just annealing. You have to write a couple of programs, one that ramps up your kiln and holds it, and then another that runs your annealing schedule. This is due to the fact that the program runs on a timer, and your temps can't deviate much from the preprogrammed schedule. I wish the program had a wildcard function, but it doesn't. Still cool though, and the bomb for fusing/slumping schedules. I fould the required heat sink to build this kit from another ebay seller for $6.

[gotglass?]

there was a software and interface called K.I.S.S. it can control up to 10 kilns at once..... cost about $300 works with rampmaster controllers and the bartlett vcf-6....

[Dale M.]

in theory you could plug in a TC directly to the serial port, it's got a few analog channels.....

but um, I have a radioshack multimeter ($40) that has a PC interface that I use.... it's not a controller, just a computer read out of the temp curve plotted out.


I guess I dont understand... I Always thougth serial ports were digital in nature.... I though that was why they made analog to digital converters....

Also there are many digital controllers out here that have computer interface connections and a lot of suppliers will actually furnish the software for free if you buy the hardware... Most are RS-448 I believe so you will proably have to convert RS-448 to RS-232 which seems most populate on the PC...

Dale

[Greymatter Glass]

Dale, I'm not 100% certain, but I think on the 25 pin, and maybe the 9 pin, there are 2 analog channels that can handle up to 5mv of analog signal which is passed into a A/D converter on the serial controller.

Not really sure it would work in practice, but it would be a place to start.

As for the Radioshack method, it's their cheaper PC interface multimeter I bought it a few years ago for $40-50 (like $45 maybe) and it came with some software that graphs signals from the meter. The meter has a built in mV - Temp conversion.

it's kinda neat to watch the actual graph of a ramp cycle.

-Doug

[Udai Hussien]

I'm waiting for the bluetooth model..

[Brian Newman]

I was thinking an X10 (http://www.x10.com/home2.html) control system for switching on and off. I know there are cheaper ways of doing it, but I want to play around with the X10 system. It communicates with up to 255 different devices with signals through the wires for your power outlets. Just plug in anywhere, and it is already attached to your computer.

[zgeniez]

have you found this page (http://www2.cemr.wvu.edu/~venable/rmi/studio/kiln-con/simpcon.htm)? my shop is in my garage. I use to have my ventilation and some lights hooked up through an x10 system. I started finding the fan running on it's own or turning off right in front of me. Every once in a while lights would come on or go off. I switched through all the channels, never did find where the interference was coming from. It was like having a little ghost for a while. I think it's a cool idea though. ~Zac~

[smutboy420]

Hey I have some thing almost like that x10 system from Radioshack,
it has a plug that pluges in to the serial port of a pc then in to a wall plug. then there are switching moduals you plug in and what ever thing you want to turn on/off in to that. And you can have the pc turn stuff on/off. I used it once to check it out . But other wise its been it the box in a closet for the last 7 years. it came with a computer I has.

[CliffsideGlassworks]

http://www.edn.com/archives/1995/110995/23di2.htm

dunno if thats helpful, how diy do you want this?

price range? omega.com has the expensive versions

[Dale M.]

Dale, I'm not 100% certain, but I think on the 25 pin, and maybe the 9 pin, there are 2 analog channels that can handle up to 5mv of analog signal which is passed into a A/D converter on the serial controller.

Not really sure it would work in practice, but it would be a place to start.

As for the Radioshack method, it's their cheaper PC interface multimeter I bought it a few years ago for $40-50 (like $45 maybe) and it came with some software that graphs signals from the meter. The meter has a built in mV - Temp conversion.

it's kinda neat to watch the actual graph of a ramp cycle.

-Doug

Well I have a pretty comprehensive book here on RS-232 (serial ports) and I have played with them for many years at home and at work and I don't see any "lines" that are capable of analog signals... RS-232 is pretty much either a negative or positive (referenced to zero volts ) voltage present on lines to signal a "on" or "off" control situation... May be RS-488 is different but then its not to popular in the PC world, at least in level we operate in.

Dale

[smutboy420]

HotAssTools Will have a PC likable kiln controller by x-mass. (Still doing product testing and working out some things in the software.)

It has all the features of my programmable ramp/soak kiln controller
But in addition it can be viewed and controlled using a PC Running windows XP or 2000)
So You can.
#1 View and make changes to any of the controllers settings from your computer. including the PID settings.
#2 view the setpoints and kiln temperature from your computer.
#3 Chart data and store it,
#4 Recall temperature profiles for easy uploading to the controller.
#5 You can send your ramp/soak profile to the controller and it is stored in the controllers EPROM. Great for if you don't want it to stay hooked to the computer. Or if the computer locks up it will not effect your annealing cycle.
#6 Oh ya, It gets even better. It has a built in web server module that lets you access the controller from another computer using the internet. (also works on SOME web phones.)
#7 Dwaine don't think I forgot about you man. As an additional option it can be hooked to a bluetooth wireless connection. So no wire is needed between the kiln controller and the PC.
and a bunch of other cool stuff. To be announced latter.

I keep thinking I have been at the grind stone all most every single day Working on getting a high quality PC linked kiln controller for weeks and weeks on end And Meghan just reminded me I have been at it sense April 'ish time. ( no wonder the last few months seem like a blur.)
But because I had to consume so much time learning about industrial automation. (I'm actually going back to school for that.)
every thing from the hardware end to the software end. Even nitty gritty like the actual circuits and chip programming. So I figured I'd not only make a linkable kiln controller. But I'd do it as good as can be. (It's in my blood. Must come from the Rockefeller genes)

But like I said I still to wait before I release it to the general public. I still want to test the software out more. (right now it only works right on win XP win2000.

[Meerkat]

in theory you could plug in a TC directly to the serial port, it's got a few analog channels.....
out.

Smutboy and I have already been talking back and forth in email, but thasts basically what I did with my controller.

[smutboy420]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Greymatter Glass http://www.thegldg.com/forum/bs/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.thegldg.com/forum/showthread.php?p=42171#post42171)
in theory you could plug in a TC directly to the serial port, it's got a few analog channels.....
out.


Smutboy and I have already been talking back and forth in email, but thasts basically what I did with my controller.


I notice that is what your controller and the software seem to do. I have been snooping inside your software and looked inside one of them controllers. It appers to be more of an anolog type output to the controller from the computer.
The software guesses the temp of the kiln and seems to stay on till you reach what the computer guesses is the right temp to shut off at. But even with the controller unpluged from the computer the sofware still keeps rising in tem about I degree per second. So thats were I'm figuring it just estrapelates what temp it thinks your kiln is at.

in a nut shell
If you had a MAX3232 serial RS232 converter IC added to the circit board and some external capacitors. that will allow the controller to send info from its Atmel chip.(<--thats the brain of the controller basicly) to the computer as true data. and also allows the computers output to be converted in to data that the controller can use. (its basicly an interpetor between the 2)
Then if you add a dallas DS18S20 digital temp IC chip. the controller will know what ambiant temp is for the cold junction compinsation for the thermocouple.

[Swampy]

Mate, I can't even begin to try to percieve what you are describing but I wish to fuck that I could. My CAL controller has a facility to drive it from a PC. You should work for NASA.

fucking far out.

every respek.

[Loïc]

i have bought that controller on Ebay for 125$
i build it up pretty easily, with an oversize heat spreader and a nice fan etc etc....
now i can use it on 240v or 120v.

here is the link to the final thing : http://www.glassartists.org/Gallery.asp?GalleryID=11302

of course i overbuild everything, with metal protector etc etc etc....

for the price its a pretty good deal.. the seller is always fast to respond to email and to help

plus im moving it to a fusion oven im building... and it ill be nice...

[smutboy420]

I have allways thought that was a cool system.
For a long time I had seen your's and thought thats what he was selling as the finished product.
I wanted to licance my software from that guy. But He din't seem to want to sell it seprately inless it was for one of the omron controllers.
that was not going to really work for a comershial product being that omron don't make them models at all any more and they are only avalable as old surplus or threw ebay. But it does make them good canidates for the do it your self type projects. But for a product line I have to have 100% repeatability in obtaining parts. Cause even that guy with the system thats on ebay from time to time only has then up right after a few of the omron contollers pop up on ebay. So I knew it would be a bitch to not only find em in quanity, But I know it would be a bitch tring to have them in quanity and always be new old stock in the box and still white and not yellowed. or faded LED.
And the beat goes on,lada doty dee.
I had to keep looking for other options.

[smutboy420]

ooooh