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NEWSLETTER

 2ND ISSUE 1998 EDITION

Industrial model - Click to enlarge

CONTENTS:

- On the Net!
- Software Upgrade
- Industrial Range
- 30402 Active Interface
- Hints & Tips
- More?

ON THE NET!
Procon Techology’s website has only operated for a few months and already we receive hundreds of visits from around the world each month. We have also been nominated ‘Robot site of the Week’ by Arrick Robotics (www.robotics.com). At our site you will find all our past newsletters and press releases plus pricelists and free software to download. A recent addition to our site is the SPECIALS page where extra savings can be made on old or surplus fischertechnik stock. Our website address is: www.procontechnology.com.au

If you forget our address just search for ‘fischertechnik procon’ with any of the major search engines on the net. Of interest is that fischertechnik Germany has finally made it onto the net with up-to-date information and pictures on the latest kits - such as the Industry Robots Kit and the Infrared Controller.

Those of you who haven’t tried the net yet - DO IT! Not only will you find vast amounts of information and pictures on fischertechnik, robotics, computers etc. You could control a robot over the net, listen to live radio, purchase books and CDs (and listen to tracks off them), download free software, printout sheet music (and have free music lessons) and communicate with people around the world for next to nothing! You might be concerned that much of the information about fischertechnik is in the German language - have no fear - there is even an on-line translation service!

If you don’t have access to the internet just yet, why not send us ten 45c stamps for a copy of our entire site on floppy disk - you can then view it on any computer with a web browser (browser software is available on CD-ROM with PC-User or APC magazines).

SOFTWARE UPGRADE
The Experimental Kit Software (95381WIN) has been updated to include Windows programs that teach the turtle or robot arm to move in up to 999 steps. Also provided are programs for the turtle to find the brightest source of light in the room, negotiate an obstacle or follow a path drawn on the floor. A few 95381-1 kits are still available at an extra special price. See our website for more details.

All of the Profi Kit software (30521DOS, 30521WIN, 30521WIN32) has had the plotter programs upgraded to make it easier to use and to make it more robust in operation. A program that allows the plotter to be ‘taught’ a sequence of operations has also been added to the Windows versions - the sample file provided actually plots the word - fischertechnik!

The 30521WIN32 software now has more Delphi 3 example programs than before. Projects for the parcel-turning machine, plotter, robot arm and turtle have been added. Also recently added is Visual C++ examples for the turtle and the plotter - other compatible C++ compilers may also be used!

Software upgrades may be purchased for half the normal retail price.

INDUSTRIAL RANGE
Procon Technology is now offering a fischertechnik construction service for those wishing to make industrial models for training, research and prototyping purposes.

Standard models are available, including; small and large conveyor modules, rotating conveyors, lifting conveyors, milling and drilling machines, elevators, robot arms, warehouse storage systems, process or workstation lines and sorting systems. These various models can be supplied in modular form to allow the construction of much larger systems. Wiring is provided with IDC or D type connectors for easy assembly. Customized models can also be supplied.

Small systems may be controlled directly from an IBM-PC through the low-cost fischertechnik interface unit which expands to 16 inputs and 16 outputs (eight bi-directional motor outputs). Larger systems may be controlled by a modular I/O board system manufactured by Procon Technology (the PC-IO-XX system) which expands to 128 inputs and 120 outputs. Analogue inputs are also available. Drive software for the fischertechnik or PC-IO-XX system is available in most DOS and Windows programming languages. A relay-ladder-logic program (or soft-PLC) is also available. Fischertechnik also provides a flowchart style language (SFC) for DOS and Windows.

The industrial model may also be controlled from any 24VDC PLC system (e.g. Allen Bradley, Siemens or Omron etc.) making it ideal for company or school PLC/SCADA training courses.

STOP PRESS: For new information about the new training models - click here.

30402 active interface - click to enlarge
30402 ACTIVE INTERFACE
The fischertechnik 'intelligent' active interface unit provides eight digital inputs (connecting to microswitches, magnetic reed switches, photo-transistors, proximity switches etc.), four bi-directional (forward and reverse) motor outputs or eight on-off outputs (connected to DC motors, stepper motors, lamps, relays and solenoids), and two analogue inputs which provides a numerical output (0 to 1024) depending on the value of resistance (0 to 5,000 ohm). Analogue sensors include, Light Dependent Resistors (to measure light), potentiometers (to measure movement), thermistors (to measure temperature). The accuracy is about 0.2%. The 16554 slave module allows the number of digital inputs and outputs to be doubled in size (i.e. 16 inputs, and eight bi-directional motor outputs). NOTE, other 'tricks' allow the number of analogue inputs to be increased, the motor speed to be contolled and allows the IR remote control receiver to be used with the 30402. Just check the 'Hints and Tips' section of our newsletters.

The 30402 interface may be powered from the rechargable battery (ACCU set p/n 34969) or a DC mains adapter (p/n 30580PT or 30581PT). The unit is connected to the PC by a serial COM port. A standard 9 pin connector and cable for RS-232 communication is included. An extra adapter may be purchased if you wish to connect to a 25 pin D socket. The unit operates in two different modes:

In 'Online' or 'Passive' mode, the PC actually reads the input conditions and switches the outputs on and off directly. See the information below for technical details on this mode of control. Procon Technology provides many examples in different languages of this mode of control when purchasing the 30402. When using the fischertechnik control language - LLWIN, this mode of control allows you to monitor the state of inputs and outputs and to check for faults (bugs) in your programs.

In 'Download' or 'Active' mode, the PC sends a complete sequence of instructions to the interface that then allows to to operate on its' own. i.e. the serial connection is removed and the PC is no longer required to control the model. Only LLWIN allows this mode of control. Once the program has been debugged (all faults removed), you may then 'download' the program to the 30402 interface unit, disconnect the serial cable (if required) and operate the interface completely independent of the PC (mobile operation). This mode of operation continues until power is removed from the interface!

STOP PRESS. Another 'active' mode of control is now available - using the ABC miniboard or other microcontroller!

30402 passive mode control:
The active interface (30402) may be controlled through the serial port (COM1 .. COM9) on the PC (or other controller). Any language capable of serial port i/o may control the interface unit directly. The parameters for the serial port are: 9600 Baud, 8 bits, no parity and 1 stop bit. The computer sends a two byte command to the interface, the first byte tells the interface what data is requested the second byte sets the motor output state. The interface returns one or three bytes in return - see tables following:

1. BYTE B1 (first byte sent)

2. BYTE B2 (second byte sent)

3. BYTE B3 (first byte returned)

4. BYTE B4/5 (2nd & 3rd bytes returned)

Note: The 2nd and 3rd bytes are only returned when the 197 or 201 commands are used.

The following QBASIC program shows how to communicate with the 30402 interface unit:

Click here DEMO.BAS (2K) to download a demo QBASIC program. Click here to download more example programs in VisualBASIC, MSWLogo etc.

Final note: A special plug adapter is now available to allow the Profi Computing kit connector to plug onto the active interface unit.

HINTS & TIPS
Tip 1. Most fischertechnik enthusiasts would have discovered that the best 9V battery to use with the motorized kits is an alkaline battery. However, these are expensive and non-rechargeable. The rechargeable NiCd battery is readily available but doesn’t work as well. Finally an alternative is available; the Nickel Metal Hydride battery! This type of battery provides good operation over a longer period and it doesn’t suffer from the dreaded ‘memory’ effect. You may have trouble buying this battery consequently Procon Technology is now stocking it. Part no. 30580PT.

Tip 2. Problems have been experienced with the photo-transistor (E5) on the plotter in the Profi Computing Kit. The lamp is not bright enough to activate the device. The best solution is to connect the lamp directly to the power supply rather than to M4. The OPPOSITE problem occurs when the plotter is controlled from the 30402 interface - the best solution here is to reduce the supply voltage from 9V to 7.5V! Finally, don’t forget to test the E5 input by running the diagnostic program with M1 and M2 active (with the gearboxes disengaged).

Tip 3. In the last fan-club magazine, Paul van Damme from Belgium shows how to control a pneumatic cylinder (see the Profi Pneumatic kit) from the computer interface unit. Using a motor and gearbox plus a handful of components the pneumatic valve can be controlled. Click here to see a picture. Further details are also available from the following website: http://www.knobloch-gmbh.de/fischer/kay/

MORE?
Why not write to me, Peter King, and tell me what you’d like to see in this newsletter.