Support

Frequently Asked Questions
Selecting a Communication Method for Balances / Scales
A&D offers various communication methods to cater to your specific applications.
Methods range from the easiest ways to save weighing data to connecting to a weighing system using a PLC.
The following describes each method in detail so you can select the method that best suits your requirements.

 

1.   What are the easiest ways to save weighing data?

  • The AD-1688 (Weighing Data Logger)
    This device allows you to save the weighing data output via RS-232C from a balance or scale. The saved data can be transferred to a PC without any special software, just like USB flash memory.
  • The AD-8527 (Quick USB Adapter) or the Quick USB interface (an option available for the GH, GX/GF, and FZ-i/FX-i Series)
    The Quick USB allows you to transfer the weighing data from an RS-232C port of a balance or scale directly to a USB port of a PC without any special software. The weighing data can be input directly into the application software you use, such as Microsoft Excel and Word.

2.   How can we control a balance or scale from a PC as well as transferring the weighing data to the PC?

  • AX-USB-9P / 25P / DIN (sets of a serial-USB converter & cable)
  • RS-232C (a serial COM port is required on the PC side)
        * The “WinCT” software is available for transferring data (and downloadable from the A&D website for free.)

3.   How can we transfer weighing data from multiple balances or scales to one PC?

  • An Ethernet interface option*1 or the AD-8526 (serial-Ethernet converter)
    When used with an Ethernet hub, these devices allow you to transfer weighing data from multiple balances or scales to a PC.
        *1 Available option for the GH, FZ-i/FX-i, and AD-4212A/B Series

4.   How can we output weighing data to a PC and a printer at the same time?

  • The GX/GF, GX-K/GF-K, GP, FZ-i/FX-i, and FZ-CT/FX-CT Series
    It is possible to connect to a PC and a printer (AD-8121B) simultaneously by installing an option sold separately.

5.   How should we connect a balance or scale to a PLC?

  • The GX/GF, GX-K/GF-K, GP, FZ-i/FX-i, and FZ-CT/FX-CT Series
    Please use RS-232C or BCD output*2
        *2 Available option for the GH, FZ-i/FX-i, and AD-4212A/B Series

 

1.   What are the easiest ways to save weighing data?        Top

  1. AD-1688 (Weighing Data Logger)
    As with USB flash memory, the AD-1688 stores weighing data (up to approx. 5,000 data sets) output via RS-232C from a balance or scale without requiring any special software.
    The weighing data, together with date and time, are saved in CSV file format, and can be transferred easily to a PC through a USB port. (No special software is required.)
    Dedicated power supply is not required. (Just connect the device to a weighing instrument or PC.)
    The AD-1688 is ideal for when a PC or printer cannot be installed near the balance, such as in a clean room or in an isolated location.
    With the casing cover, the AD-1688 is IP65 dust and waterproof.
    The AD-1688 is capable of one-way communication only. Therefore, it is not possible to control a balance or scale from a PC using the AD-1688.



    * If the AD-1688 is not detected by your PC
    Depending on your type of PC, if a USB extension cable is used, the signal may weaken and not be detected by the computer.
    Please either connect the AD-1688 directly to your PC without using a USB extension cable, or connect the AD-1688 to your computer using an off-the-shelf USB hub.

  2. AD-8527 (Quick USB Adapter)
    The AD-8527 transfers weighing data to a PC in real time via an RS-232C connection with a weighing instrument and a USB connection with a PC, without requiring any special software.
    The weighing data, together with date and time, can be sent directly into the application software you use, such as Excel, Word, and Notepad (on Windows 2000 or later).
    A dedicated power supply is not required. (Just connect the device to a weighing instrument or PC.)
    With the casing cover, the AD-8527 is IP65 dust and waterproof.
    The AD-8527 is capable of one-way communication only. Therefore, it is not possible to control a balance or scale from a PC using the AD-8527.



    * If the AD-8527 is not detected by your PC
    Depending on your type of PC, if a USB extension cable is used, the signal may weaken and not be detected by the computer.
    Please either connect the AD-8527 directly to your PC without using a USB extension cable, or connect the AD-8527 to your computer using an off-the-shelf USB hub.

  3. Quick USB
    By inserting a USB interface (Quick USB) into a balance, you can connect the balance and a PC using a USB cable and transfer weighing data from the balance directly to the PC (USB port).
    No special software is required. (Compatible with Windows 2000 or later.)
    Only weighing data can be sent. The data can be sent directly to the application software you use, such as Excel, Word, and Notepad.
    The Quick USB is capable of one-way communication only. Therefore, it is not possible to control a balance or scale from a PC using the Quick USB.
    Quick USB options are available for the following balances.
        - GH Series :   GH-02 (sold separately)
        - GX/GF Series (excl. GX-K/GF-K) :   GX-02 (sold separately)
        - FZ-i/FX-i, FZ-CT/FX-CT Series :   FXi-02 (sold separately)




 

2.   How can we control a balance or scale from a PC as well as transferring the weighing data to the PC?        Top

  1. AX-USB-9P / 25P / DIN (serial-USB converter & cable sets)
    These converter and cable sets convert the RS-232C output from a balance or scale and send it to a USB port of a PC.
    It is possible to perform bi-directional communication and receive GLP/GMP outputs.
    For data transfer, A&D offers WinCT (Windows Communication Tools) software, which can be downloaded from the A&D website free of charge.
    From the following three converters, please select the one that matches the RS-232C interface of your weighing instrument.

    Type of RS-232C Interface Applicable Serial-USB Converter                * Compatible with Windows98 SE or later
    D-Sub 9 Pin AX-USB-9P
    D-Sub 25 Pin AX-USB-25P
    DIN AX-USB-DIN


  2. RS-232C
    Many balances and scales are equipped with an RS-232C interface as standard. If your PC has a serial port (COM port), bi-directional communication can be established only by purchasing a connection cable that matches the interface of your weighing instrument.
    For data transfer, A&D offers WinCT (Windows Communication Tools) software, which can be downloaded from the A&D website free of charge.




 

3.   How can we transfer weighing data from multiple balances or scales to one PC?        Top

  1. Using an Ethernet interface option, a PC can receive weighing data from multiple balances or scales.
    Ethernet interface options come with the WinCT-Plus (Windows Communication Tools) software for data transfer.
      - GH Series :   GH-08 (sold separately)
      - FZ-i/FX-i, FZ-CT/FX-CT Series :   FXi-08 (sold separately)
      - AD-4212A/B Series :   AD-4212A-08 (sold separately)
    For other balances and scales, A&D offers the AD-8526 serial-Ethernet converter for sending weighing data from multiple instruments to a PC. The necessary cable to use the AD-8526 will differ depending on the instrument to be connected. When you order, please specify which instrument is to be connected.




 

4.   We would like to output weighing data to a PC and a printer at the same time.        Top

  1. For the GX/GF, GX-K/GF-K, and GP Series
    It is possible to output weighing data through current loop and RS-232C simultaneously by installing a comparator output option that is sold separately.
    - Via the current loop, weighing data can be output to the AD-8121B compact printer.
    - Via the RS-232C, weighing data can be output to a PC.
      - GX/GF Series :   GX-04 (sold separately, factory-installed option)
      - GX-K/GF-K Series :   GX-04K (sold separately)
      - GP Series :   GP-04 (sold separately)




  2. For the FZ-i/FX-i and FZ-CT/FX-CT Series
    It is possible to output weighing data by installing the Quick USB interface (FXi-02) or Ethernet interface (FXi-08) (both sold separately).
    - Via the standard RS-232C interface, weighing data can be output to the AD-8121B compact printer.
    - Via the optional Quick USB interface (FXi-02) or Ethernet interface (FXi-08), weighing data can be output to a PC.




 

5.  How should we connect a balance or scale to a PLC?        Top

  1. For connection via RS-232C
    Many balances and scales are equipped with an RS-232C interface as standard. Please prepare an RS-232C cable and an RS-232C communication unit on the PLC side.

  2. For connection via BCD
      - AD-4212A/B Series :   AD-4212A-01 (sold separately, BCD output)
      - AD-4212C Series :   AD-8923-BCD (sold separately, extension controlle for production line weighing [with BCD interface])
      - Other balances and scales :   Please use the AD-8922A remote controller and the AD-8922A-01 BCD output option.

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