Changeable layout of Numeric Indicators

[fusion158]

We currently use a VI to record multiple temperatures in a product along with other conditions (voltage, current, etc). We are trying to improve our testing efficiency by having a tab with a heat map that matches the layout of the product under test. We have a multiple variations that our technicians test so we would like to be able to select the model number from a drop down menu and the VI will update with the correct layout and number of temperature sensors. Below are 2 examples of layouts we'd like to be able to select. My main question is if this is even possible and if so how would I go about executing this?

[GerdW]

Hi fusion,

you could use a subpanel to load/show a VI corresponding to the DUT model number…

[altenbach]

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@fusion158 wrote:

 My main question is if this is even possible and if so how would I go about executing this?

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The main answer is that LabVIEW is a full featured programming language, so everything is possible. Some things just take a little more effort than others. 😄

More importantly, how are you tying the controls to the rest of the code? You need some unifying structure, e.g. something that converts your variable numbers of scalar sensors into an array with a variable number of elements (just an idea).

If there is a relatively small number of possibilities, I probably would create a different cluster of sensors for each type and place them on a tab, one per page. If auto-arrange is disabled, you can arrange your controls in any geometric pattern while the cluster order determines how they are sorted later.

How flexible does it have to be? Do you need the option to add new patterns at any time later?

[wiebe@CARYA]

If the number of DUTs are small, or if you want full flexibility, I'd go for VIs in subpanels.

If you want dynamic positions (panels from a database, file, or whatever), I'd use a full screen picture control for the colored background, and a large enough number of normal controls for the indicators. Hide the indicators that are not used... Show their captions, not their labels, and change their captions and positions with a property node.

Alternatively, you can use a picture control for the background, and for the indicators. Make a sub VI that draws an image of an indicator and it's value and label at a position. Call it for each position.

[fusion158]

Thank you for the suggestions everyone. 

At the moment we are looking at a minimum of 10 different layouts with the possibility of more as new products from for testing. 

As for tying the controls to the rest of the code I am still figuring that out. Our existing VI has 4 tabs, each with a graph showing 32 temperature sensors. We have a total of 128 thermocouple channels. With the addition of the layouts tab we will be pulling data from the first X number of channels. This can be anywhere from 4 to 80 depending on the DUT.

[fusion158]

I've attached a picture of the block diagram of the first layout that I included in the first post. The boxed part is what I need to but into the subvi. I'm not exactly sure how to make it work, I'm relatively new to labview.

[GerdW]

Hi fusion,

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@fusion158 wrote:

I've attached a picture of the block diagram of the first layout that I included in the first post. The boxed part is what I need to but into the subvi. I'm not exactly sure how to make it work, I'm relatively new to labview.

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The boxed part is wrong: don't use ExpressVIs (like SplitSignal) to convert an array of waveforms for display in scalar numeric indicators! Use a loop, GetWaveformComponents, IndexArray…

All those "Mod 1 - ***" indicators belong into array(s) or cluster(s). It also doesn't make sense to put them into a subVI - unless you want to show that subVI in a SubPanel. Do you?