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Phone: 925-609-1150
E-Mail: info@diabloanalytical.com

MPValve:  Automated Control of Valco Multiposition Valves

Version 3.0

Overview

MPValve 3.0 consists of two applications: MPValve Controller and MPValve Sequencer. Both applications are designed to interface with a Valco (VICI) multi-position valve through a microelectronic actuator control module (ACM) via RS-232 serial communications. The MPValve Controller application allows both interactive and automated control of valve position using command-line parameters, Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) or ActiveX/COM programming. The MPValve Sequencer is a stand-alone valve sequencing application.

MPValve Controller

The MPValve Controller application allows both interactive and automated control of a Valco (VICI) multi-position valve using command-line parameters, Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) or ActiveX/COM programming. It is designed to provide a means to control a multi-position valve from a third-party sequencer or data system like the Agilent Technologies ChemStation.

• Allows the position of Valco Instruments (VICI) multi-position stream-select valves to be set easily through computer control.
• Valve position can be set interactively through the dialog box shown below.
• Valve position can also be set by calling the MPValve application with command-line parameters specifying the desired position.  This allows the valve position to be set automatically from sequencing software like Agilent Technology's ChemStation sequences.
• Valve position can be programmed  from another application using Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).
• New:  a simple sequence of valve positions and hold times can be executed via either the DDE or Command-line interfaces.
• Multiple valves can be controlled if each valve is connected through it's own actuator control module on a unique serial port (a multi-port serial expansion card may be required to take advantage of this feature).

• Each step in a sequence is defined by the valve, valve position, and the length of time to hold before proceeding to the next step.
• Both pre-run and post-run steps can be created to control the valve position both before and after the sequence runs.
• The sequence can be configured to stop after one cycle, repeat for a specified number of cycles, repeat until a specified run time has been reached, or run continuously.
• Multiple valves can be included in the sequence if each valve is connected through it's own actuator control module on a unique serial port (a multi-port serial expansion card may be required to take advantage of this feature).

System Requirements

Computer

• MPValve requires a Pentium or better computer running  Windows 95/98/NT/2000. The computer must also have one free serial port for each valve that is to be controlled.

Valco (VICI) Actuator

• MPValve is designed to interface specifically with the Valco EMH and EMT series multiposition bi-directional micro-electric actuator control module using the RS-232 serial communication interface.
  
  See http://www.vici.com for more information about Valco multi-position valves.

IMPORTANT:

• The MPValve Software is designed to control multi-position valves.  Two-position valves utilize a different interfacing protocol and thus can not be controlled by the MPValve software. 

File Download

Important Note Version 3.0.5 or later:  This is a free upgrade for existing customers running licensed versions of the MPValve software.  However, those customers will have to request a new activation code for the software.  Please contact Diablo Analytical for more information.

Contact us if you would prefer to receive a MPValve evaluation CD-ROM instead of downloading the files over the web.

Important note for existing MPValve Customers:  The licensing scheme for MPValve was changed with version 3.0.5.  You will need to request a new activation code from Diablo Analytical if you install the software.  See the Software License Activation Guide for more information

Software Licensing

This software is distributed as a fully functional 30-day evaluation application. The evaluation version has all of the features of the registered version, but you will be reminded that you are running the evaluation version with a "nag" screen each time you start the application. At the end of the 30-day evaluation period the application will no longer start unless you purchase a license or request an evaluation extension from Diablo Analytical.  After purchasing a license, you will be provided with an unlock code that converts the evaluation copy of the software to a fully-licensed copy.  See the Software License Activation Guide for more information.

Pricing

A single computer license is $495 plus any applicable sales tax and shipping and handling. Contact us directly for multi-computer licensing prices or if you would like to investigate having Diablo develop customized versions of the application.

How to Order

Print and fill out the order form and send it to us.  You will need to provide us with the MPValve serial number in order for us to send you the correct unlock code.  We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Purchase Orders from approved companies.