Re: Package scale - input options

Vern,

The "classic" way is to do a serial connection; today that might be
USB. It would probably require different software for each. My
reasons for avoiding that approach are:

1) The warehouses are in remote locations around the country and it
would make tech support a nightmare.

2) If the PC it's connected to needs to be replaced, it means getting
the software installed and configured.

3) The conversation with the scale is probably brand and model
dependent. Not a good thing if the scale needs to be replaced or if
there are wide range of scales already installed.


A keyboard wedge solution would, at least in theory, avoid those problems.

-mark


At 6/29/2012 01:13 PM, you wrote:

Mark

Many years ago I developed a VB app that read from a serial port - there
was a scale indicator - I think that's the name - that hooked up to the
serial port. Perhaps now that'd be to a USB. That app then used Client
Access or PC Support, I think, to communicate to the 400.

I just did a google for "scale weight indicator usb" and got several
hits. Could also search for RS232 or RS-232.

HTH
Vern

On 6/29/2012 8:49 AM, M. Lazarus wrote:

Craig,

That's a god point about the conversation with the scale. That may
not be possible with their current setup. The warehouses are remote
and are on separate networks. It might be impractical to set up a
VPN to each remote warehouse.

I'm leaning toward the keyboard wedge solution. There doesn't need
to be a lot of intelligence to the process; it's just a convenience
to replace keying the numbers.

-mark

At 6/28/2012 10:41 AM, you wrote:

Yep, I have weights from scales on green screens thanks to Scott and his
socket stuff.
The scale does require an IP address though and a conversation

to the scale

is necessary.
I do a few different scales and each one acts differently.
We have small desk scales and large pallet scales.

Craig


-----Original Message-----
From: midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:midrange-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of M. Lazarus
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2012 10:34 AM
To: Midrange Systems Technical Discussion
Subject: Re: Package scale - input options

Has anyone here implemented this type of solution? It would seem to me
that that way has the most flexibility and control over the process, but
might be overkill to build it from scratch to accomplish what is

essentially

a simple, one or two field blind data entry tool.

-mark

At 6/28/2012 07:55 AM, you wrote:

If the scale has TCP/IP Capability then you could put some of Scott
Klement's code behind a function key to query the scale value and place
it in the correct spot on your input screen. With this solution you
don't ever care where this display is used (I.e. dumb terminal, PC,
mobile device etc.)

USB is going to be a bit more of a challenge because now you're going
to have to get a PC involved in some way and thus lock that PC into the

mix.

- Larry "DrFranken" Bolhuis.

On 6/27/2012 11:00 PM, M. Lazarus wrote:

What is required to pipe data from a package scale into a 5250
screen? Similar in concept to a barcode scanning gun.

There is a (Toledo, I believe) scale with a USB connection. Is
some specialized software required?

TIA for any suggestions.

-mark