using NE500 syringe pump

[anmo...@colorado.edu]

I've continued to have syringe pumps blow out on me (even with the new firmware Chris provided in a previous post that turns off the servo after ~3s of stalling), so I'm considering getting the expensive NE500 syringe pump. Anyone used this pump instead of the 3D printed one? Do you think that will solve my problems? Looks like it plugs in directly to the computer with the serial>usb cable, but anything else I need to know about set up and running the turbidostat with this pump? I see there is a ne500_config.ini file in the Flexostat-interface-master directory. I'm guessing I need to direct the servostat.py script to that config file instead of config.ini?

-Andrew

[Chris Takahashi]

You can either copy and paste the relevant ini entries or rename ne500_config.ini to config.ini (and change the ports to match).

Make sure that "roundingfix" is set to true though.  The NE500 has a firware bug that they refuse to acknowledge or fix, so you need to enable the workaround. 

As for suitability the NE500 is mechanically quite robust.  I've never had one break down after hundreds of hours of use.  The pump movement is very slow though so make sure you use a big enough syringe and update the pump rate to maximum (the manual has guidelines but if you calculate a number above the max it will ignore the command which is annoying.)

The next mainboard version (in "beta" right now.) will allow for direct control of the ne500's (and similar) motor and eliminate a lot of the nasty issues with its firmware. 

writing pump drivers for any serial pump isn't too difficult so adapting to code to work with other pumps is also an option if you're willing.

Chris

[Andrew Morgenthaler]

Great maybe I'll give this a try. What size syringe do you recommend?

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