Metadata-Version: 2.1
Name: alicat
Version: 0.4.0
Summary: Python driver for Alicat mass flow controllers.
Home-page: http://github.com/numat/alicat/
Author: Patrick Fuller
Author-email: pat@numat-tech.com
License: GPLv2
Description: alicat
        ======
        
        Serial driver and command line tool for
        [Alicat mass flow controllers](http://www.alicat.com/products/mass-flow-meters-and-controllers/mass-flow-controllers/).
        
        <p align="center">
          <img src="http://www.alicat.com/wpinstall/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/gas-mass-flow-controller1.jpg" height="400" />
        </p>
        
        *If you are using Analyt-MTC flow controllers, go to [this repository](https://github.com/schlenzmeister/AnalytMTC/wiki) for more info.*
        
        Example Connections
        ===================
        
        | Type | Usage |
        | --- | --- |
        | The standard [DB9 cable](http://www.alicat.com/wpinstall/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MD8DB9.jpg) connected directly to a computer (unix: `/dev/ttyS0`, windows: `COM1`). | Good with older computers that still have the connector. |
        | The cable connected to a computer through a [USB converter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007T27H8) (unix: `/dev/ttyUSB0`, windows: `COM1`). | Good for newer computers and maker boards such as Raspberry Pis. |
        | Multiple cables connected to one port via a [splitter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007F2E188) and Alicat's addressing (`A`-`Z`). | Good when number of ports is limited. |
        
        Installation
        ============
        
        ```
        pip install alicat
        ```
        
        Usage
        =====
        
        ## Command Line
        
        For basic tasks, this driver includes a command-line interface. Read the help
        for more.
        
        ```
        alicat --help
        ```
        
        ## Python
        
        For more complex projects, use python to automate your workflow.
        
        ```python
        from alicat import FlowController
        flow_controller = FlowController(port='/dev/ttyUSB0')
        print(flow_controller.get())
        ```
        
        If the flow controller is communicating on the specified port, this should
        return a dictionary of the form:
        
        ```python
        {
          'setpoint': 0.0,         # Setpoint, either mass flow rate or pressure
          'control_point': 'flow', # Either 'flow' or 'pressure'
          'gas': 'Air',            # Can be any option in `flow_controller.gases`
          'mass_flow': 0.0,        # Mass flow (in units specified at time of purchase)
          'pressure': 25.46,       # Pressure (normally in psia)
          'temperature': 23.62,    # Temperature (normally in C)
          'total_flow': 0.0,       # Optional. If totalizer function purchased, will be included
          'volumetric_flow': 0.0   # Volumetric flow (in units specified at time of purchase)
        }
        ```
        
        On flow controllers, you can set the flow or pressure setpoints.
        
        ```python
        flow_controller.set_flow_rate(1.0)
        flow_controller.set_pressure(20)
        ```
        
        ### Gas Type
        
        You can set the gas type by name or by index. For more on setting by index, see the gas table in your Alicat's manual.
        
        ```python
        flow_controller.set_gas('N2')
        flow_controller.set_gas(8)
        ```
        
        For firmware 5v and greater, you can create and set gas mixes. Mixes can contain up to five gases and are stored in gas indices 236-255.
        
        ```python
        flow_controller.create_mix(mix_no=236, name="Mix1", gases={'N2': 50, 'O2': 30, 'CO2': 20})
        flow_controller.set_gas(236)
        flow_controller.delete_mix(236)
        ```
        
        ### PID Parameters
        
        For flow controllers, read and write PID loop settings for device tuning.
        
        ```python
        flow_controller.set_pid(p=4000, i=4000, d=10, loop_type='PD2I')
        print(flow_controller.get_PID())
        {
            'loop_type': 'PD2I',
            'P': '4000',
            'I': '4000',
            'D': '10',
        }
        ```
        
        ### Other Features
        
        Additional features include override commands to increase device functionality.
        
        ```python
        flow_controller.lock()            # Lock the front display.
        flow_controller.unlock()          # Unlock the front display.
        flow_controller.hold()            # Hold the valve in its current position.
        flow_controller.cancel_hold()     # Cancel the valve hold.
        flow_controller.tare_volumetric() # Tare volumetric hold.
        flow_controller.tare_pressure()   # Tare pressure.
        flow_controller.reset_totalizer() # Reset totalizer, if totalizer functionality included.
        ```
        
        ### Addressing
        
        You can have multiple controllers on the same port by using Alicat's `A`-`Z` addresses
        and an [RS-232 splitter](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007F2E188).
        
        ```python
        flow_controller_1 = FlowController(address='A')
        flow_controller_2 = FlowController(address='B')
        
        flow_controller_1.set_flow_rate(1.0)
        flow_controller_2.set_flow_rate(0.5)
        
        flow_controller_1.close() # /dev/ttyUSB0 is still open!
        flow_controller_2.close()
        ```
        
        TCP Support
        ===
        
        The last version with working TCP support is [here](https://github.com/numat/alicat/tree/8af92647cb396401c0d604d83fb95a49d9a82be9) and can be installed with:
        
        ```
        pip install alicat==0.3.1
        ```
        
        If you use the TCP driver, please let us know and we'll add it back to the current version.
        
Platform: UNKNOWN
Classifier: License :: OSI Approved :: GNU General Public License v2 (GPLv2)
Classifier: Development Status :: 4 - Beta
Classifier: Natural Language :: English
Classifier: Programming Language :: Python
Classifier: Programming Language :: Python :: 3
Classifier: Topic :: Scientific/Engineering :: Human Machine Interfaces
Description-Content-Type: text/markdown
