I am a graduate student studying oceanography in Maryland. And I had never heard of Arduino until last week although now I can see this has been around me all the times. Now I would like to start learning Arduino with a clear purpose.
Just a month ago, my adviser purchased a dissolved inorganic carbon analyzer (DIC). To measure about 150 DIC samples, I have to sit down in front of the machine and connected netbook, type name, and hit enter every 2.5 minutes for about 10 hrs every day!!!! And I (will) have thousands of samples.
So I have googled for a few days to find a way of automatic system and it seems like Arduino is one good way to do it although I am not very sure yet. In fact, even if I cannot make it eventually, I will not disappoint because I have always wanted to have this kind of hobby.
(I was going to show a picture of machine and my idea but I cannot upload here.)
I need to run two or three analyses (total less than 10 min) from each syringe (sample). Basically, I want to connect as many samples as possible into some sort of a rotating valve. Every 3 minutes (each analysis cannot exceed 2.5 min) or by any fancy Arduino methods (such as sound, infrared light, communication with computer, any signals you guys know of), the rotating valve automatically switch to the next sample and let the analyzer takes care after (pumping samples into machine, analyzing, and saving data) . Then, I will save tons of hours every day!!! (Just imagine this makes me happy right now!)
So, please give me any idea you may have. Any thoughts is welcomed. Also, I will appreciate if you can give me links related to my idea (I already have a book and a list of links teaching basic Arduino.) I also can provide some detail about the DIC analzyer if anyone wants.
Is the stuff to be analyzed hazardous? That would include poisonous, explosive, corrosive, etcetera.
Have you determined how to synchronize your Arduino Feeder with the analyzer?
What happens if something goes wrong? Would someone lose their life? Would millions of dollars be wasted? What would happen if your Arduino Feeder malfunctioned and no one noticed? Is a days work ruined or are the repercussions more severe?
Are the samples "precious" (meaning they cannot be replaced if they are ruined)? What is the cost if the samples are ruined?
You may post URLs and pictures now. (Your first post was successful)
Remember, the Arduino is just a controller. Anything fancy with valves, pumps and syringes you mention is something that has to be solved first or elsewhere.
Given an electrical interface to your valves etc., then we can help. The interface can be mains power, 5V supply levels or even an IP address; there are circuits and addons so the Arduino can do it.
How is your netbook connected to the DIC and where in the process do you want to insert the automation? Making wild guesses from your short description I could imagine :
Software on netbook that talks to the Arduino. The connection is via the USB using a serial/ASCII protocol. The software logs the Arduino output.
Software in the Arduino that send commands to the DIC along some interface (simple on/Off signals, or maybe an industry standard bus interface), receives results in kind, and then format/reports results to the notebook. It cycles this according to some schedule
Is the stuff to be analyzed hazardous?
Nope, basically, it measure carbon dioxide in water
Have you determined how to synchronize your Arduino Feeder with the analyzer?
Kind of. (by time step) But I would like to hear more options.
What happens if something goes wrong?
Only worst thing is losing a sample. Also, if I connect 10 samples to the valve, I would lost 10 but not more than that.
Are the samples "precious" (meaning they cannot be replaced if they are ruined)?
Samples are just natural sea water. I can collect any time/number of samples from Chesapeake Bay. If I am worried about losing a sample at the developing stage, I can collect twice as many as I want. Also, there is flip side of doing this: if I work 10 hours of analyzing and cannot do anything but sitting in front of machine, calculated data would be more organized and easy to understand because I will double check numbers between samples. However, if Arduino helps me running the analysis and I have an extra time to research. it would be much more fruitful in terms of efficiency.
For Msqure's questions:
I already have a set of glass syringe. Reason of using a glass syringes is due to minimum back pressure. I have already tested with the syringe and it works great. Even the company of analyzer recommends using it. For the valve, I have consulted with a engineer in my university and he said that this is very easy to make (valve not a Arduino). Also, the analyzer has own pump, computer (netbook), and a software which allows only basic function (saving).
The netbook is connected to DIC machine through a port. Honestly, I kind of have a hard time to understand what you told about the conncetion between computer, DIC, and Arduino. I will read it again and answer later. But just for the info, the machine is only controlled by a software in the computer. If I can 'connect' or let 'communicate' between software and Arduino, it should be the way to try first.
Basically, I want to connect as many samples as possible into some sort of a rotating valve.
I don't see any problem with the idea, per se, but I do wonder if contamination will be an issue? How is that dealt with in this kind of machine (or are the samples large enough that any remaining previous sample amount - like a drop or two - won't effect results much)...?
Question of contamination (by Cr0sh): The reason of running two or three runs of each sample is due to the contamination. In short, I cannot use the first result of each sample because it is the result of half previous and half current sample. This is a disadvantage of this analyzer but there is no way I can use the first number. This is why I really want to make an Arduino. For example, if I have collected 3 identical samples (replicates), it normally (in other analzyer) means that I only need to run 3 times and average the numbers. However, with this machine, I have to run at least 6 runs (3samples * 2 runs), so it takes much time. I also need only 0.75 ml for each run. So,
I am still trying to upload the picture showing all parts including a connection between computer and analyzer. Two serial ports are coming out from analyzer and those are connected to 'serial port-USB' adapter to connect to USB on computer. If I fail to upload again, I will look into the manual tomorrow and send the exact name.
For connection, this is my idea:
<Valve----Arduino ----Notebook----DIC analyzer-----valve-----samples>
In fact, I really want to avoid connecting Arduino to DIC analyzer directly.
Fortunately, the company told me that they are developing new software allowing continuous runs as many as I want. But I am sure they only consider analyzing one sample for multiple times, not different samples as I am thinking. After I heard this, I thought that this new software would make this project much simpler because I don't need to program the software.
One problems I can think of is that how Arduino and software communicate but I am sure there must be a way to do it.
Now I can see why the Arduino is fun. I feel like I can do everything with it. Thank you very much everyone.
One more question.
I will need to rotate the valve to a certain degree (e.g., 20 degree) to one direction. How can it be possible? What kinds of materials do you use?
I will need to rotate the valve to a certain degree (e.g., 20 degree) to one direction
I'm assuming you'll also need to rotate it back eventually. :
A hobby servo might work, but there's a good chance it won't be strong enough: it depends on how much torque the valve needs to turn. You may need to use a stepper motor. Maybe even a geared one to get the torque you need.
sometimes the level presumed is wrong.