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