This talk was given at the ACS meeting in San Francisco 2017. It provides background and examples of using a powerful combination of software and hardware to repair & revive instuments, and to create other measurement systems easily and economically.

1. Commercial Instrumentation
Truth and Fiction
”Instrument Vendors Supply Integrated Systems for
Well- Defined Experiments & Data Treatment”
(True)
“Instruments are Answer Machines”
(False)

2. Common Measurement Needs
Materials Characterization
• Mechanical Testers Thermal Analyzers
• Spectrometers Particle Analyzers
• Viscometry Rheology
• Chromatography Particulates
• Imaging Biochemical
Material Performance (“Use Tests”)
• Wear Flow
• Repetitive testing Stress, Aging
Process Characterization, Optimization & Control
Research

3. Commercial Instrument Paradigm
Integrated Systems for Well- Defined Experiments & Data Treatment
• Defined Experiments
• Ease of Use
• Assumes Experimental Variables
• Limited Experimental Freedom
• “One Trick” Ponies ($150K GCMS You cant even measure melting point)
• Each Task Another Expensive Instrument (w/ Overpriced Consummables)
• Defined Ways To Treat Data
• Ease of Use ; ‘Conventional Wisdom’
• Custom, Dedicated Data Treatment (Expensive, ‘Tower of Babel’)
• Assumes Nature of Information and Noise
• Limits or Removes Alternate Choices
• Sometimes Used To Hide Flaws

4. Measurement Systems Are All Quite Similar
Instrument = Measurement Device + Electronics and Software
• Measurement Device Function
• Creates Measurement Condition
• Uses Sensors for Determination
• Electronics & Software Function
• Converts Signals to Information
• Controls The Device and the Experiment
• Communicates and Stores Information

5. Measurement Systems Are All Quite Similar
Instrument = Measurement Device + Electronics and Software
• Measurement Device Function
• Creates Measurement Condition
• Uses Sensors for Determination
• Electronics & Software Function
• Converts Signals to Information
• Controls The Device and the Experiment
• Communicates and Stores Information
• Many Good Sensors Available
• Plenty of Hardware Modules
• Plenty of Experts, Published Info

6. Measurement Systems Are All Quite Similar
Instrument = Measurement Device + Electronics and Software
• Measurement Device Function
• Creates Measurement Condition
• Uses Sensors for Determination
• Electronics & Software Function
• Converts Signals to Information
• Controls The Device and the Experiment
• Communicates and Stores Information
• Many Good Sensors Available
• Plenty of Hardware Modules
• Plenty of Experts, Published Info
• Technology Available
• Poorly Organized
• Incompatibilities
• Expertise Required

7. Present Electronics and Software Situation
• The Software to Support Electronics has been a Mess
• Many Languages (PLC, C++, VB, Scripts, etc. )
• Many Software/Hardware/Driver Incompatibilities
• Hardware Specialized for Specific Instruments
• Custom Boards & Specific Power Supplies
• Reliability Relatively Low
• Cost Relatively High
• Alternate Route: DAQ2GO project

8. DAQ2GO Project
Inexpensive ‘Paved Highway’ From Raw Signals to Results
Engineered Ensemble of Instrument Grade Electronics & Software
System Integration Tool for Measurement and Control Applications
• Goals: Useful, Inexpensive, Widely Applicable
• Leverage Existing Technology (Most function at Least Cost)
• High Quality Electronics at Reasonable Cost
• KISS (Keep it Simple to Use), Robust
• No Need For EE or Programmer
• Average Team Member Experience (~30 years)
• ~15 Technical Man Years (FTE’s)

9. “Paved Highway” = System Integration Tool
Engineered Ensemble of Instrument Grade Electronics & Software
• USB Boards, ‘Signed Drivers’ for Compatibility, Stability
• Multiple High Performance Inputs and Outputs
• Many Kinds :Analog, Digital, PWM, Frequency, RS232, RS485, etc
• Energize and Control Real Devices (Motors, Valves, Automation, etc.)
• Easy to Use, Difficult to Damage
• Polarity Protection, Optical Isolation, etc.
• ‘Youtube’ Videos, Tutorials, Documentation, Practical Examples
• Low Voltage
• Flexible for the Future Change and Addition
• Multiple USB Boards
• Specialty Boards

10. “Paved Highway” = System Integration Tool
Engineered Ensemble of Instrument Grade Electronics & Software
• MS Excel® Characteristics:
• Ubiquitous, Inexpensive, Very Powerful
• Great Math, Graphics, Resource Usage
• Easy to Use and Program
• Largest User Base with Plenty of Support
• Works with Other MS Products (e.g. MS Word®)
• Problems:
• Not Seamlessly Interfaced to Electronics
• Not Seamlessly Applied to Measurement Applications

11. DAQ2GO® Based in Excel®
(1) Seamlessly Combined Electronics & MS Excel®
XP – Win 10, 32- and 64-bit ; Office 2007- present
(2) Built Structures for Instrumentation and Control
Programmable Device Control + Automation
Programmable Acquisition Functions
(4) Macro -> Command ->Worksheet -> Workbook Architecture
(5) Templates for ‘Workhorse’ Applications
(6) No Special Programming Needs by User

12. DAQ2GO Software
• Macros for all common functionalities
• Simple Commands for Each I/O
• “Assembled Macro” Commands
• Worksheets for Major Tasks
• User Interface (Input Data, etc.)
• Control Sheets (Appearance, Math, Hardware Control)
• Real Time Graph Sheets
• Raw Data Sheets
• Sample Queue, Methods, Automation
• Workbooks for Whole Application (Assembled Worksheets)
• Templates for Dedicated Applications

13. DAQ2GO Software
• Macros for all common functionalities
• Simple Commands for Each I/O
• “Assembled Macro” Commands
• Worksheets for Major Tasks
• User Interface (Input Data, etc.)
• Control Sheets (Appearance, Math, Hardware Control)
• Real Time Graph Sheets
• Raw Data Sheets
• Sample Queue, Methods, Automation
• Workbooks for Whole Application (Assembled Worksheets)
• Templates for Dedicated Applications

14. Single Worksheet for Input and Real time Display
(Mechanical Tester Template)

15. GC Worksheet & Form
(Worksheet for User Input and Form for Control)

16. GC Instrument: 4 Columns & 6 Detectors

17. GC Worksheet During Experiment(Note: All 6 on front page + All Tabs Strip Chart in Real Time)

18. DAQ2GO Software Details
• Macros for all common functionalities
• Simple Commands for Each I/O
• “Assembled Macro” Commands
• Worksheets for Major Tasks
• User Interface (Input Data, etc.)
• Control Sheets (Appearance, Math, Hardware Control)
• Real Time Graph Sheets
• Raw Data Sheets
• Sample Queue, Methods, Automation, Data Treatment
• Workbooks for Whole Application (Assembled Worksheets)
• Templates for Dedicated Applications

19. Control Sheet : Appearance

20. DAQ2GO Software Details
• Macros for all common functionalities
• Simple Commands for Each I/O
• “Assembled Macro” Commands
• Worksheets for Major Tasks
• User Interface (Input Data, etc.)
• Control Sheets (Appearance, Math, Hardware Control)
• Real Time Graph Sheets
• Raw Data Sheets
• Sample Queue, Methods, Automation, Data Treatment
• Workbooks for Whole Application (Assembled Worksheets)
• Templates for Dedicated Applications

21. Control Sheet Example :
GC Data Treatment

22. DAQ2GO Software Details
• Macros for all common functionalities
• Simple Commands for Each I/O
• “Assembled Macro” Commands
• Worksheets for Major Tasks
• User Interface (Input Data, etc.)
• Control Sheets (Appearance, Math, Hardware Control)
• Real Time Graph Sheets
• Raw Data Sheets
• Sample Queue, Methods, Automation, Data Treatment
• Workbooks for Whole Application (Assembled Worksheets)
• Templates for Dedicated Applications

23. Control Sheet for I/O Control
(P, PI, PID and Smart Controller for Fans, Heaters, Motion)

24. Cyclic Testing via Control Sheet
(Controlling a Mechanical Tester)

25. Revive Instruments- (Instron Example)
Replaced Broken Electronics and Obsolete Software

26. 2
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
3
Location
Elapsed Time
Stop and Go Sequence for Actuator
Building Block For Lab Automation

27. Application Example of Linear Actuator
(Uses Potentiometer for Distance Information)
• Movie of Sponge Compressor

28. Multi Axis For Automation Applications

29. Evaluation of F/ V Port
y = 5E-06x + 7E-05
R² = 1
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.1
Voltage,Channel1
Frequency Input from Signal Generator
Channel 1 Frequency Response
(Channel 1 in Frequency Mode)

30. Emission Experiments
• Light Source Powered By CH 1 out
• Photodetector in Series Circuit
• Voltage Drop Measured at CH1 in
• Total Scan time ~ 1 Second

31. Emission Experiments, cont’d
MeasuredEmission
Time (1 Sec Full Scale)
Light Bulb Experiment
MeasuredEmission
Time (1 Sec Full Scale)
LED Experiment

32. Comparison of Sensors in Tester

33. DAQ2GO Software Details
• Worksheets for Major Tasks
• User Interface (Input Data, etc.)
• Control Sheets (Appearance Math, Hardware Control)
• Real Time Graph Sheets
• Macros for all common functionalities
• Simple Commands for Each I/O
• “Assembled Macro” Commands
• Raw Data Sheets
• Sample Queue, Methods, Automation, Data Treatment
• Workbooks for Whole Application (Assembled Worksheets)
• Templates for Dedicated Applications
• Works with XP –Win10 Office 2007-now (32 and 64 bit versions)

34. Tools For Comparing and Treating Data
(For 1 and 2 Dimensional Arrays; Can be Automated)
• Examining and Evaluating Data
• Add Derivatives, Tangents, Smoothing
• Adjust Offsets, Gains, etc.
• Detect and Treat Peaks (Start, Stop, Integrate, etc. )
• Define Baseline (Start and Stop)
• Integration, Calibration, Correlations, etc.
• Compare Data Sets (Can Be Variable Length)
• Prepare and Archive Reports

35. Add the Derivative To Find Peaks
-0.0040
-0.0030
-0.0020
-0.0010
0.0000
0.0010
0.0020
0.0030
0.0040-7.00E-01
-6.00E-01
-5.00E-01
-4.00E-01
-3.00E-01
-2.00E-01
-1.00E-01
0.00E+00
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
jul6 hi sample rt and 60 at inj Peak Picker 2
Chromatogram Derivative

36. Use Derivative To Understand Data

37. Data Smoothing
0.1855
0.1875
0.1895
0.1915
0.1935
0.1955
0.1975
0.1995
0.2015
0.2035
1
36
71
106
141
176
211
246
281
316
351
386
421
456
491
526
561
596
631
666
701
736
771
806
841
876
911
946
981
Raw Data
0.1855
0.1875
0.1895
0.1915
0.1935
0.1955
0.1975
0.1995
1
34
67
100
133
166
199
232
265
298
331
364
397
430
463
496
529
562
595
628
661
694
727
760
793
826
859
892
925
958
Smoothed

38. Controlling Peak and Baseline Selection
Manual or Automatic Selection of Parameters
(Peak Start and Stop Separate from Baseline Start and Stop)

39. Using the Comparison Tool

40. Comparing Data From Different File Formats
(Test Works 4® & Instron Series 9 Software)

41. Making a ‘Computerized’ Measurement
• Connect Sensors and Devices to DAQ2GO® Board(s)
• Build Workbook
• Real Time User Interface
• Experiment Condition Controller
• Data Treatment
• Reporter of Results
• Save as ‘New Name’ Workbook
• Document the Application (Add ‘Notes’ Tab)
• Ready To Go

42. How To Build A Workbook
(1) Define ‘The Look’ (a.k.a. “Instrument Personality”)
(2) Add Practical Details ; Finalize
(3) Modify the DAQ2GO® Resources to Match
(4) Neaten Up, Test, Modify to Suit
(5) Save as a Read Only Template

43. Personality with Details: Strip Chart + Control
(Example is a Measurement of Young’s Modulus)

44. 7 Steps to Make The Desired Workbook
(1) Define General Personality
(2) Add the Practical Details
(3) Final Definition of Desired Personality
(4) Recall the DAQ2GO® Resources
(5) Modify Resources to Match Needs
(6) Neaten Up, Test, Troubleshoot
(7) Save as a Read Only Template

45. Final Personality

46. 7 Steps to Make The Desired Workbook
(1) Define General Personality
(2) Add the Practical Details
(3) Finalize Desired Personality
(4) Recall the DAQ2GO® GP DAQ Template
(5) Modify Worksheets to Meet Needs
(6) Neaten Up, Test, Troubleshoot
(7) Save as a Read Only Template

47. DAQ2GO® GP Raw Data Worksheet

48. DAQ2GO® GP Real Time Graph Page
(Step 1: Delete all but 1 Real Time Graph)

49. Step (2) Center and Rename Graph

50. Make it An XP Plot
+ Add Colors and Labels

51. Single Worksheet for Input and Real time Display
(DAQ2GO ® Mechanical Tester Template)

52. DAQ2GO® Key Advantages
Leverages Electronics and Excel®
• Fast to Set Up and Easy to Apply
• Powerful Macros, Worksheets and Templates
• Easy to Customize, Modify, Use
• Large Market Base for Knowledge Support
• One System for Many ‘Instruments’
• Modest Cost (works with XP-Win 10; Office 2007 +)
• Mostly Limited by One’s Imagination
• No Special Programming or Electrical Engineering

53. For More Information :
• DAQ2GO® website DAQ2GO.COM
• Specifications
• Applications
• Tutorials
• Youtube.com Videos
• Tutorials
• Application Examples