Pulling data from a scale

[nkuebelbeck]

I have one of these http://www.taltech.com/products/winwedge and need to be able to pull the data off it. My plan was to create a button that grabs the data but its not working.

Here is my code

Function GetWedgeData()
Dim MyData As String, Chan As Long
Chan = DDEInitiate("WinWedge", "Com1")
MyData = DDERequest(Chan, "FIELD(1)")
DDETerminate Chan
If Len(MyData) = 0 Then


Dim err As String
err = "No Data, check connections"
MsgBox (err)
Else
MsgBox (MyData)
End If

End Function

When I call the GetWedgeData() function I get this.

"run time error 282 Microsoft Access can't find the application and topic because it can't open the DDE Channel"

I'm new to DDE so any nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

The scale is connected via serial port. Windows XP x86 SP3

[June7]

I tested DDE code in Word to pull data from Access table. It worked. The tutorial said Access had to be open. I assume you have the WinWedge app open? That company claims unlimited tech support. Shouldn't they be able to provide you guidance?

Maybe this is an option http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/ac...001228819.aspx

[orange]

I agree with June - contact tech support at the comapny. Did they provide you with sample applications?

[nkuebelbeck]

ok, got this to work. Turns out the scale is just had some really goofy COM settings.

So Now I have it to where when I push the button on the scale its popping up a msg box with the weight. My questions is how do I go the other way. How Do I make Access Pull the data?

I will be in touch with support but i've had such good luck with this forum

DDE is new to me

[June7]

Well, I expect the WinWedge app must save the data somewhere. Maybe they use an Access db for this. I use an app called Paver that does this. That app saves data to an unprotected Access db and I can work with it just like any Access db (link tables, etc). If they do use an unprotected Access, then you can link directly to the tables. If WinWedge uses protected Access or some other database for backend, is there something in the install process where you identify fieldnames or something like that? This link shows Word pulling data from Access through DDE connection http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...ffice.11).aspx Note code for the app name and path. I guess Access VBA would do something similar to the WinWedge file. That, or WindWedge must push the data to Access.

[nkuebelbeck]

http://www.ohaus.ca/PU/PDF/AVPro.pdf here is my scale. Its interesting. I believe it takes commands and I believe winwedge should be able to send them.

As far as the data goes I can't find where the data is stored. Sure isn't an access database.

What I am trying to do should be possible....

More to come i'm sure.

[June7]

It HAS to be possible, the software builder claims it is. Interested in what tech support tells you.

[nkuebelbeck]

"Hello Nathan,

You need to send an upper case P followed by a Carriage Return and Line
Feed."

Then I replied:
"Do I need to serial two serial ports? Or will it send and receive out through one port"

And they replied:
"It sends and receives using the same port."

So, with a little bit of luck I should be able to send and receive it into a text box using code. More to come.

[nkuebelbeck]

I've got my function above setting MyData to the scale data.

stupid question

How do I set the value of a text box equal to that value?

I thought I could do something like this txtbox.value = GrabWedgeData

what am I doing wrong?

[nkuebelbeck]

nevermind. Figured it out. Thanks all for the help

Just had to set the function GetWedgeData = Mydata

then in the form txtbox.value = GetWedgeData

woot!