(1) Would like to pause syringe pump at certain volume while still collecting diameter data, (2) Would like to delay chart and numerical indicator output until after syringe pump is run

[SRBB]

Hello:

I am using Labview to control a New Era Pump Systems automatic syringe pump and to record diameter measurements from a LaserMike optical comparator. My program is fully functional, the code is attached with all auxilliary files in the NE-50X folder. I mostly understand my program, I used drivers for the NE-50X pump found on the NI website to build my code and added to it as needed. My program currently does the following:

After I push the white Run button, I am prompted for a file name. After I enter one, Labview begins collecting data from the LaserMike and syringe pump and outputs them to their respective numerical indicators and waveform charts. Then I can change the syringe pump flow rate and syringe diameter on the front panel. Once I push the green RUN button on the front panel, the syringe pump runs, and the balloon diameter vs. syringe volume XY graph begins to record. I can then reverse the direction of the pump and/or pause the pump however many times I like, while Labview still records diameter from the LaserMike. Pushing the red STOP button on the front panel terminates the program and stops the pump.

Here are three things I would like to change about my program that I don't know how/what to do:

1) I would like the LaserMike and syringe pump to output to their respective numerical indicators and charts only AFTER the green RUN button on the front panel has been pushed and the pump is running.

2) I would like to be able to pause the syringe pump at two specific volumes while Labview continues to collect data from the LaserMike. I do not mind if I would have to push RUN to manually restart the program. I just want the pump to stall for a few seconds once the syringe pump dispenses a certain volume without the program terminating.

3) I would like the program to terminate once a certain volume has been dispensed. I would also like the syringe pump to return to zero, its starting position, after each test so that each test is identical.

If anyone has ideas about how to do any of these three things, your help is greatly appreciated.

[Brian_R]

1.  You can set a boolean value when the Run button is pressed and use that boolean value to determine whether or not your indicator is updated.

2.  You check the value of your syringe volume every loop iteration and pause the pump if a certain value is reached.  You can have the program wait for the user to press a button to restart.  You can also have it pause for a period of time and continue automatically.

3.  Just like #2, you can wait for a certain value and stop the overall loop once that value has been reached. 

Your program is an excellent candidate for event handling.  I have attached a link to a tutorial.