Structure: taking images every N stepper motor steps

[Robbie0013]

Hi everyone,

I know there have been many topics on using cameras with stepper motors but I havent quite found the information I was looking for. I am also very new to LabVIEW so a lot of things go over my head at the minute so specifc help on my task would be much appreciated

I want to trigger a webcam to take an image every 'N' mm over a set distance. I have achieved this although I'm not sure whether it is the best method (attached image). I currently have a pulse train using a loop which runs the desired number of steps corresponding to the total distance I move. Inside this loop I have a case that when true takes an image. This case is true when the number of steps corresponds to 'N'.

I would like to know if there is a better way of doing this or running this process quicker? The main lag occurs every time the camera takes an image. I don't know whether this could be excuted quicker in a different fashion, or if it is a hardware limit?

Hardware: NI USB 6501

Any help would be much appreciated.

Robbie

[aputman · Accepted solution]

You will want to move the picture acquisition / saving to it's own separate loop so that your timing loop does not lag during the picture process.  Look at the producer/consumer template when creating a new project.  However, if your hardware is too slow, even this won't help because the camera can't keep up with the stepper motor.