Trouble communicating with ThorLabs MIR Laser

[skular]

Hello,

I am a beginner in LabVIEW and am trying to communicate with a ThorLabs MIR Laser (MLQF4550). I went to the ThorLABS software page, downloaded the drivers and have spent so many hours to just trying to make communication with the laser. However, I believe the drivers in the software page are incomplete as the directions in the ThorLABS pdf manual don't match up with the installation. I've been browsing NI and saw that NI Visa allows communication with the USB/GPIB devices. Are there any manuals that I can use to catch up so I can work on this project. I am constructing a GUI and I have heard LabVIEW is the best approach in making a GUI.

Laser System: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_ID=10097

PDF I've tried to follow but drivers dont match up: https://www.thorlabs.com/software/MUC/MLQ/TL_MIR_TKL_WYOA_V1.0_web-secured.pdf

All in all, what is the best way to communicate with the laser, to adjust the intensity/ place for loops etc/ build a GUI.

Thank you in advance

[RyanF.]

Hello,

I just wanted to confirm some information about your setup. How are you connected to the computer? You mention USB/ GPIB, so is this the GPIB to USB interface? Are you able to see your device within NI-MAX or Device manager? If you can't see it in either one, then you can confirm that you are having a driver issue. The easiest method would probably be to find the correct driver, but if there is none then you will have to confirm that your device is SCPI compliant to allow for communication within NI-VISA. 

Per your request, I will attach a NI-VISA getting started, but it will only be valid if you are able to see your device. Check out the first link for initial reference, the second if you are only using USB. 

http://www.ni.com/getting-started/set-up-hardware/instrument-control/gpib-usb

http://www.ni.com/getting-started/set-up-hardware/instrument-control/usb-connect

Cheers,

Ryan

[skular]

Hey,

I am able to connect with the Laser through NI-Visa and I was able to confirm this with the NI-VISA Driver Wizard. Where my issue lies is in the actual programming. I want to begin writing code for the Laser, but this is where I am a little unsure where to go.  I got the message, "This device is a member of the USB Test and Measurement Class (USBTMC). NI-VISA can already detect and control it. Do not use this wizard to create an INF file." 

I've been looking for tutorials but none are very clear. I've been able to make a connection with the hardware, are there any starting tutorials that show how I can relay all this into LabVIEW and start the programming aspect of controlling the machine.

Thank you for help!

[cstorey]

Have you downloaded the software that ThorLabs provides?

- https://www.thorlabs.com/software_pages/viewsoftwarepage.cfm?code=MLQ

From the webpage " The software for our turnkey MIR laser systems enables remote control applications using C, C++, C#, LabVIEW™, LabWindows™/CVI, and Visual Studio. "

Have a look at the VIs provided there and then come back with questions.

Craig

[skular]

Hey sorry for the novice questions,

I was able to successfully get the drivers installed and they appear in the Instrument Driver section of the Block Diagram. My question is on how to actually start, I am a complete beginner and am just looking for tutorials that can show me how to start making use of the Instrument I/O to communicate with my hardware. I just need to implement a simple loop that will adjust the laser intensity. I see all the commands but am uncertain where to begin.

Thanks 

[cstorey]

Ok, there are good tutorials available..

- LabVIEW basics - http://www.ni.com/getting-started/labview-basics/

- NI courses - http://www.learnni.com/

Also some decent vidoes on YouTube..

- Six Clear: https://www.youtube.com/user/Sixclear/videos

      - How to use LabVIEW drivers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx5NqiLj1wY

Consider taking at least the free courses, looking at the examples in the drivers and browsing code in the forums here before you get too far into designing and coding a big project.

Hope those help.

Craig