Need Critique on High Temperature Molder.

Projects General Guidance
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Hello Arduino forums!

This is my first time dealing with electronics on such a deep level and I am definitely in need of some help! I have a project to complete which is to create a molding machine that squeezes two molds together and operates at a temperature around 300-400 C that is controllable by usb. I was hoping that I could find some feedback on my current progress. I will be using a Arduino Uno

For this project temperature and applied pressure must be controlled. I was thinking of controlling the actual heating element and motor using two solid state relays. One being 10A for the heating element and the other being around 2A for the motor. (along with fuses) To actually measure these variables is where the difficulty comes in.

This is where my problem comes in,

For measuring temperature I have read all over the internet that using a chip like MAX6675 is the best way to go. Even though I think this chip is quite pricey I'll go with it. Now, to measure pressure I have two load cells capable of measuring up to 50 lbs. I am not too sure on what type of chip I should use for this? The specs on this item rate the load cells at 3 mV/V. I am not sure if I should use a ADC chip or just use a voltage amplifier chip. If so, which one would you recommend? I am still pretty new at creating electronics and I have searched for a long time on the internet but I am stumped if any ol' voltage amplifier would work.

Also, I am confused about the programming language being used for the Arduino. It is a simplified version of C++ named Wiring? I can't find documentation anywhere on this language. Also, my other question is I am not very sure about how the interaction between computer and the Arduino works. Are we suppose to write code in Wiring then upload it and then write a program that reads the data being sent? Is there anyway of changing some of the variables with a program on ones computer i.e. change temperature or constant applied force? My programming experience is quite bleak. I have taken a course on Python. Would you suggest using LabView or the plugin for Visual Studio?

Thank you for your help.

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Nazer,
If you check the upper left of this page you find a link to the Arduino main page. Follow the links there to explore tons of material on programing, hookup, and resources. You will likely spend weeks there.
As far as the pressure measuring sensors, the experts here will need a lot more info, preferably a datasheet, schematic of your hookup, ect before they can be much help. The search function is invaluable to me, almost every question has already been asked sometime.
If you are just starting out in electronics, get a basic electronics textbook and at least read it through. You will have a basic idea of whether what you want to do is beyond your abilities or not. There are lots of Arduino specific books that will teach you the basics too, such as hooking up relays, sensors, leds, motors, transistors, MosFets, heck, almost anything.
Have fun and let everyone know how it's going.