Computer Application Trainer, Model DAS-1 is a Data Acquisition System trainer. This is compatible to an IBM PC/XT/AT Computer. PC controller software design is the order of the day, more so in automation. Hence, there is a need to acquire skills in data acquisition and control. This skill is applied to design of, Distribution Digital Control (DDC), Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA),
machine control, instrumentation control etc., hence this is a good acquisition for a PC laboratory. What is it intended for?
Computer Application Trainer has all the facilities to experiment on data acquisition techniques. DAS-1 is designed, based on, syllabi of various universities, so that it becomes a useful experimental station. Student / trainee can experiment to strengthen his software abilities, to become employable engineers, as is required by industries. Control application programs are written in any language, as long as those language supports, input / output instructions. For example languages like (WINDOW or DOS based) BASIC, C, C++, Visual BASIC, PASCAL, assembly are some of the most popular, in which the Computer Application Trainer is used. Using this instrument, student or trainee can interface both analog and digital signals from and to any transducer after proper signal conditioning. These transducers may be LVDT, Strain gauge, Load cell, Pressure transducer, Piezo electric transducer, Potentiometers, 4-20mA current source, etc. All the transducer modules are OPTIONAL and should be acquired before connecting them to the system. For example, he can acquire, data from any digital input transducers like switches, auxiliary contact of contactors, output of digital hardware, gate outputs, proximity sensors, optical transducers like photo detectors or for that matter any digital hardware. He can send control signals to output elements, like relays, contactors, solenoids, input of digital hardware like gates, as clock input, as an enable signal for chip selection etc. Analog outputs from transducers can be connected as input to Computer Application Trainer. Who can use this trainer and what for?
Computer Application Trainer is used in engineering Colleges, Polytechnics in different departments. DAS-1 is used in electronics engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, communication engineering, instrumentation, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, automation engineering departments, to understand methods of data acquisition and control techniques, software and hardware design. For example: Mechanical Engineering students can use this instrument to understand interfacing technique in designing "Computer Aided Manufacturing" systems, as it appears in CNC controllers, Robotic controllers, machine controllers etc. Electronics Engineering students can use DAS-1, to understand the interfacing techniques, in designing measuring instruments, like pH meter, Logic analyzers, ADC and DAC, etc. Instrumentation engineering students can use DAS-1 to understand interfacing techniques in designing process control systems, transducer interfacing, data loggers, interface to recorders etc. Chemical engineering students can use DAS-1 to understand techniques in designing data loggers / controllers for distillation column, measuring temperature, at various plates and related equipment. Defense establishments for their trainees and engineers. Training organizations for their trainees, to learn data acquisition skills. Research & Development organization, during prototype development. In all the above faculties, Computer Application Trainer is recommended, to train and gain proficiency in both hardware and software interfacing techniques. The major emphasis is on connecting external elements to DAS-1. Documentation:
Computer Application Trainer comes broadly with the following documentation. - Block diagram of the system.
- Introduction to experiment.
- Additional equipment required, in terms of Oscilloscope, multimeter etc.
- Programs in BASIC language, experimental programs in Visual Basic, Demonstration sample programs on CD with necessary DLLs, along with listings and comments, wherever it is possible.
- Circuit diagrams.
- Review questions, wherever necessary. /li
List of Experiments:
We assume that a beginning is made to understand input/output techniques. Student gains proficiency in handling various instructions of a language in use, like string statements, data statements, print messages on the screen and printer protocols, compare, compute and control various input devices during data acquisition. Write Programs for the following: 1.Input an 8 bit data from, on-board key simulator, and an 8-bit switch simulator. Print status on the screen.
2.Output an 8bit data, on an 8bit LED, which is on the instrument.
3.Use above input/output devices, to log data and send the status on LEDs.
4.Detect the presence of a metallic object using, on board proximity sensor, and print status on the screen.
5.Detect the presence of light impinging on the on-board optical detector, and print the status on the screen.
6.Detect the upper and lower level of water in a jar and indicate the status on the screen
7.Repeat experiment 4,5,6 and send the status to the on-board LEDs.
8.Using an OPTIONAL relay module Model IM-12
a) Program to switch ON/OFF a relay, and consequently turn ON or turn OFF a blower connected to the relay, or a 220V AC operated device.
b) Program various combinations with experiment 4,5 and 6 using time functions, i.e. turn ON or turn OFF at a defined time of day.
9.Using pneumatic trainer, Model IM-26 write programs to control
a) Operate a power cylinder to its two different positions. A power cylinder is operated by a compressed air source.
b) Operate two, three or four cylinders, in a defined sequence.
c) Repeat the same with timing between cylinder to cylinder.
d) Write programs as feedback control system, using on-board input sensors like proximity sensor, optical sensors and water (bi-level) level sensor, as used in Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
10.Connect additional analog modules like, an LVDT module or Strain gauge module or Load cell module, or Torque transducer module, or Thermocouple module, or Potentiometric module, stepper motor, DC motor etc., and write programs as follows:
a) Acquire data from any or a few transducers indicated above, and send control signals to output controllers like, relays or power cylinders in the Pneumatic trainer, contactor to run high power motors etc.
b) Display the status of the system on the screen on-line, or store data in a file etc. System Design using Visual Basic:
The following screen shots are the results of programs, developed using Visual Basic language. You can use these programs on this trainer. As you can see, they are completely GUI based. Each screen shot is programmed to highlight the use of one or more facilities of the Data Acquisition system. All the electronic components (graphical) shown in the screen shot are made interactive and react LIVE, for input from the Computer Applications trainer. For example when a switch, on the instrument is switched from one state to the other, the corresponding component, shown graphically in the screen shot, also change its visual, as though the switch is moved from one state to the other. In-fact, it is interactive simulation. This is enabled by taking Pointer-Tool and Clicking on the input or output components, on the screen. For your convenience, Tool-Tip messages are added and appear, when Pointer-Tool moves over these components on the screen. You can add Sound to give multimedia effect also. You are encouraged to use these concepts to suit your particular, Visual Basic system designs and become an expert in programming. Necessary DLLs required for this trainer are provided on CD for this purpose, as part of documentation. The entire manual is provided in PDF format. Use Adobe Acrobat reader to read the manuals. The documentation also provides sample Visual Basic programs for accessing these components. Headings on each screen shows, which part of Computer Applications Trainer is used to test, and what is required for testing, and how the connections are to be made to perform a particular test. The following are the actual screens, which are displayed, in response to various applications programs. The programs are demonstration in nature. These programs are supplied with the instruments, which are provided on installation CD, in terms of actual executable programs. These programmed screens are to be used as models, to develop similar screens in user’s applications. These programs can be used in GUI based application programs, like Visual Basic or Visual C++ or similar application programs. This instrument has necessary DLLs included with the system.
Some of the INTERFACE experiments with Computer Applications Trainer may need additional experimental (hardware) modules like: - LVDT (position/distance) transducer interface module, Model AM - 13
- Cantilever beam module using stainless steel beam fitted with a Strain gauge and Position transducer interface module Model AM-12
- Programmable gain data amplifier module Model AM-6
- Stepper motor interface module, Model IM-14
- Material handling conveyer belt platform module, using stepper motor and proximity sensor (metal detector) module, Model IM-16
- Flexible Manufacturing Trainer Model IM-31
- Angular Potentiometric position transducer module, Model AM-16
- DC Servo motor demonstrator module, Model IM-17
- Pneumatic trainer with 4 power cylinders, control Solenoids, FRL unit, interface unit, Model IM-26
- Liquid level interface module, with special purpose water motor, 1 Lt. Water tank and relay modules.
- Pressure transducer module, with pressure transducer, Pressure vessel, and foot pump, Model AM-19
- Load cell interface module, with Load cell, Jig for Compression and tension loading functions, Model AM-17
- Torque transducer module, with 1meter torque arm, Model AM-18
- Different types of Thermocouple modules for J, K, Cr, Al, Iron Constant an, PT100& 10 AD590 etc Models AM - 8,9,10
Specifications:
All the following facilities are available in two external units, in addition to a dedicated interface card (supplied along with DAS-1), to be placed in one slot of the motherboard, of the computer. Unit-1 consists of: - Signal conditioners on 4 channels, Input @ 2 to 20mV. Output @ 0 to 5V and proportional Bi-polar instrumentation on 4 channels.
- 4 channel 4 to 20mA Current transmitters. Input @ 0 to 5V DC. Output @ 4 to 20mA and proportional.
- 8 bit open collector outputs, capable of driving upto 100mA DC current.
- 16 bit TTL INPUT on 2 ports.
- 16 bit TTL OUTPUT on 2 ports.
- Bi-polar Digital to Analog converters on 4 channels.
- 16channel 8bit, Analog to Digital converter inputs (0-5V Input).
- 16 channel uni-polar, or 8 channel bi-polar, 12 bit Analog to Digital converter inputs (±5V).
- Transducers: 1bit Proximity transducer, 1 bit Optical transducer, 2 bit Water level (bi-level) transducers.
- BAR GRAPH display with 2.4V DC FSD.
- DOT BAR display with 2.4DC FSD.
- 8 bit port, toggle switch-input simulator.
- 8 bit port, momentary key switch input simulator.
- 8 bit port, LED display unit.
Unit -2 consists of: - 3 1/2 digit, digital panel meter with 20V & 200V DC, FSD with switch selector.
- 3 1/2 digit, digital display panel meters to measure current upto 200mA.
- Dedicated power supply with ±5v, ±12V, +24 V DC.
- 120 silver coated, phosphor bronze springs for easy inter-connections.
- You must provide an IBM Computer or Compatible system. It must have at least one vacant ISA slot on the motherboard, to enable the ADD-ON card to be inserted, which will communicate with the trainer. The minimum configuration of the system must be any Intel make standard CPU, 32MB RAM, one 1.44”FDD, HDD with any capacity, CD ROM drive, and a color monitor.
- Note: Computer is not supplied with the trainer.
- Recommended list of equipment for PC LABORATORY are:
- PID control trainer Model PID-DAS1
- Computer Applications Trainer Model DAS-1. IBM computer is required for this.
- Dual relay module Model IM-12.
- Dual Stepper motor Module, Model IM-15.
- Pneumatic Trainer, model IM-26.
- Four channel analog simulator module, Model AM-2.
- J- type Thermocouple interface-module, Model AM-8.
- Strain gauge experiment module, AM-11.
- Cantilever beam demonstration instrument, Model AM-12.
- LVDT transducer module, Model AM-13.
- Angular potentiometric transducer module, AM-16.
- Load cell experimental module, AM-17.
- Torque transducer experiment module, AM-18.
- Pressure transducer experiment module, AM-19.
- PC Electronic Design Experimenter Model PCEDE-1.
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