LT360 - Precision Turntable

Application Software

The application program provides full control over all of the LT360 functions and features. Up to eight (8) units can be managed simultaneously, either linked by USB or RS-232. The main window of the program is shown below. Fields are grayed out when unlinked.

Each LT360 unit is assigned to a tab. Changing between tabs will load the parameters of that unit into the controls and parameter fields. The LT360 can be connected to a USB or COM serial port on the computer. The Link group box has selections for: USB, NONE, COM1, COM2, etc.

If an LT360 unit is found on the port, the link will be activated and the contents read from the LT360 into the parameter fields and controls. If the baud rate does not match the LT360, or the unit is not on the selected COM port, an RX error message will be shown. The Port list box wil then be forced back to the NONE selection. For USB links, the Port list box will be forced back to the NONE selection without any message if an LT360 is not found.

Two methods of displaying current turntable position are used: the analog platter display, and the digital readout. Clicking on the platter graphic will Abort/Stop a move. Clicking on the digital readout will update the display.

Custom User Programming

• Win32 DLL Programming
A DLL (Dynamic Link Library) is provided for use by user application programs to allow direct control of the LT360 Precision Turntable. The DLL supports the Win32 OS environments. For other operating system environments, the universal RS-232 programming method should be used.

The DLL supports both methods of linking to LT360 turntables either via serial RS-232 connections or the USB (Universal Serial Bus). Multiple LT360 units can be managed by the DLL simultaneously, from 1 to 128 units.

The DLL handles all of the management details necessary for easy serial communications over either the PC's COM ports or USB. The application program needs only to place calls to the DLL through 4 simple functions.

The DLL functions are 32 bit code and can be called by any Win32 application written in any language. An appropriate header file is all that is required for the exported functions for linking.

• RS-232 Programming
The RS-232 industry standard serial interface provides a universal means to control the LT360 by any program in any operating system environment. RS-232 still has many advantages over the newer bus formats such as USB. The length of a cable run for RS-232 is not restricted, and the commands can be sent to the LT360 from any program, device, or operating system.

All commands sent to the LT360 can be either upper or lower case. Numeric parameters when needed for Set commands are contained in the string at the end, and then followed by a termination character.

There must be a [space] delimiter between the Set or Get word and the command name, and again between the parameter if used. The final termination character must follow to inform the LT360 that the command string is now complete and can be processed.