DAQ or various other IO control connected to PC

[gregulator]

We do a ton of projects where we need digital/analog IO (sometimes freq counters etc), and use a PC as the front end. Typical tasks are moving motors, reading encoders, reading thermocouples, setting digital outputs etc. We have used DAQs from Measurement Computing, both USB and PCI, and they work pretty well and are relatively inexpensive. Their .NET library is pretty good so it is really quick to get up and running.

Just wondering if anyone else has other components they like for this sort of development? Someone suggested to us using Modbus and various PLC components for easy expand-ability, but I haven't ever used it so I don't know how reliable the timing is etc.

Thanks for any suggestions, always looking for new ways to do things!

 

[sm625]

Modbus is very reliable. I would trust a RS485 modbus (via RS232 serial port adapter) over a USB any day. But PCI is even better of course. Always go with PCI (or PCIe) first if you have the option.