Setting up the SCXI-1001 rack with the SCXI-1322 terminal block

[kostas]

Hello NI,

I am a researcher and relatively new on using strain gauges and dataloggers. The university has a rack SCXI-1001 and another plaquette (terminal block) SCXI. Also, university has both version LABVIEW 6.1 and 8.2.1, and I am thinking I will use the newer one. The logismic systems is Windows 2000 and Windows XP, respectively.

I have a steel beam which has 5 rossettes (Gauge type: FRA-3-11) attached on that, each one has 3 strain gauges, so in total 15 strain gauges coming off. All I wanna do is to test the beam and get the strains (and so the stresses) in the steel. I am not too sure but I would like to use something like continuous acquisition. The measurement units are Volts.

I am asking you for a help on how to connect the strain gauges on the plaquette (with what arrangement) and how to set-up them. Also, do you have any ready example suits my case, so I can use this one straight away?

Thank you very much for your consideration and I am waiting your response.

Kostas

[Robert_Lee_NIUK]

Hi Kostas,

Setting up your system will consist of a few stages. Firstly, you will have to identify the strain configuration (i.e. quarter, half or full bridge completion) and using the SCXI documentation, you can then setup the SCXI modules and terminal blocks appropriately for this. If you can find out which terminal blocks and modules you have installed, I can provide you with the links to the relevant pages on ni.com with all the documentation you will need.

You will want to use LV 8.2 as it is much more recent, and ensure you have the latest DAQmx drivers installed in order to communicate effectively to the SCXI system. Again, use the instructions given in the SCXI user manual to correctly configure and setup the device. Here are a couple of good links to information on the daqmx driver and how it works.

http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/5434

There are plenty of examples for SCXI DAQ programs in the NI Example Finder (go to LV, Help>>Ni Example Finder>>Hardware>>DAQmx>>Analog Measurements) and specific example for strain configurations under the Strain folder in this location. This will give you an excellent starting foundation, and from there we shopuld be able to develop a working system.

Good luck!