Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

The Analog to Digital converter with data acquisition software, part # DI-194RS (available through DATAQ
Instruments) is needed in my upcoming project 'measuring vibrational
frequencies using light' I found on the SB website.The part recommended is no
longer offered, though an updated substitute is.

The new part; # DR 145, uses software that is only
compatible with PC computers. I have a Mac.

I need a source for the analog to digital converter of similar ability that can be used with a
Mac computer. Can someone suggest where I can find that?

Hello and welcome to the forums:

I searched the web looking for USB based data acquisition systems, and found many different options for the hardware. Most low cost products come with their own simple software. However, they never state which OS they will work with, but I'm guessing they're all Windows based.

Unfortunately, whenever you get into engineering / scientific products, Mac support is non-existent. I doubt you will find a data acquisition product with software for the Mac, so you might want to start looking around for a PC to borrow. Sorry.

Keith

Hi Joeee,

Keith is correct! I performed several searches on the ADC you're using, DI-194RS, and found that the only software support is Windows.

I did find that VMWare offers a trial version of VMWARE FUSION 4 which allows you to run Windows programs on Macs. Here's the website and I hope this works for you.

http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/overview.html

James

Sorry that what seems like a simple experiment becomes so complicated. The suggestion to borrow an oscilloscope is perhaps the easiest solution.
Here's another idea. Do you have access to a digital camera? You could record a video of the vibrating spring/mass. Then load the video into any video editing program (there are free ones) and count the number of frames between oscillation repeats.

Also, you can buy a tiny oscilloscope for less than $100. See http://www.amazon.com/Seeedstudio-DSO-N ... 108&sr=8-2.

Good luck.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and research!

We called the company supplying the win-mac conversion sw, it's $50, that''s ok, but then we also have to buy a Windows OS too, it gets more complicated at each step.
As for the oscilloscope, we are discussing the purchase or borrowing options (we may have a 12 year old future engineer here...may be worth it...)
We do have a digital camera, but are unfamiliar as to how to go about finding a measuring tool, will research that one too.
We will also find out if our son's school has an old Windows laptop he could borrow, but that's a tall request too.

At least we have several ideas, thanks to all you good fellas, thanks again!

I'm happy to hear that we haven't scared you off.
I found another USB interface gadget at http://www.phidgets.com/. Their Model 1011 – PhidgetInterfaceKit 2/2/2 provides input of electrical analog signals and digital i/o. Unfortunately it doesn't have ready-made display software. It does have drivers for Windows and Mac OSX and support for writing your own applications. You can write the applications in Java, and then they will run on either a PC or Mac. Maybe you could even sell your software
Please be warned, however, that you can burn up hour after hour fiddling around with software, especially if you haven't already learned Java. On the other hand, the fiddling around can teach you things that you can use all your life in a science or engineering career. I grew up before computers were available to occupy my idle time, but I occupied myself with tearing apart old radios, etc., never regretted it, and used what I learned to great advantage. Just be sure not to be distracted from completing your project.

I do not in fact know how to write Java. I was wondering if iMovie HD would work for the frame-by-frame because that is what I have on my laptop...

I don't have a Mac, so I looked up iMovie on the web. The description suggests that it should work.
I suggest you record just about anything for a few seconds, and then load it into iMovie. Play around with iMovie until you find out how to play your video and find the frame numbers. Then you should be ready to go.
Just in case iMovie doesn't work for you, I found a list of free movie editing software for Macs at http://tv.isg.si/site/?q=node/873

Mr. Wiggins,

Thanks very much for your kind efforts on behalf of our son.
We will try what you suggested, will let you know how it worked too.

We just purchased a new Mac, have never used the imovie application, also other issues we are working on, as we have a Sony camera, which is apparently notoriously unfriendly to Mac. I have contacted the manufacturer regarding this problem also.

We are trying to use these tools in ways we haven't before.
But, that's the idea I suppose!
Sincere thanks again for your expertise and research !

Bob/Dad

Hi Mr. Wiggins,

We didn't forget you, as I told you we'd let you know how things panned out.
Our son used the suggestions you offered, won in his middle school science fair, went on to regionals, won in first round there, and ended with an Honorable Mention. The annual Edison Science fairs claims to have awarded $600,000.00 in prizes, most as scholarships, so the stakes were very high. His elder sister had placed similarly some years before.
We wanted to thank you again for your kind help so you are encouraged to continue on behalf of other who may similarly benefit! God Bless you.

Bob/Dad

p.s. sorry, died to leave a picture for you but SB site doesn't allow.