[ATM] Inexpensive device controllers from National Instruments

[MarkSKowalski@comcast.net]

All this talk of controlling devices on your various flavors of MoM prompt me to tell you
of an inexpensive (~$100US - ~$200US) set of devices from National Instruments that might
be of interest. I've used these devices in my own work in manufacturing and I'm
constantly amazed at the bang for the buck that they deliver.
These devices are generally classed as National Instrument's NI-DAQmx devices.
I've used two, the USB-6501 and the USB-6009. These are primarily digital I/O
devices; however, the 6009 has several ports for analog voltage I/O. Each device
has 32 ports divided up between voltage supply, ground, and i/o lines. You can
address the i/o lines through a single USB connection. The devices get their
power from the USB connection.
You get an amazingly complete set of support software with each device. The
libraries are C-language based, but you can very easily program the devices
from Basic (which, for various convenience reasons, is what I do). The simulation
and diagnostic software is faultless as far as my experience to date (~2 yrs).
If you'd like more information, please see http://www.ni.com/
Regards,
Mark
(and I don't have any affiliation with NI!!)
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