Using an array to manipulate SMC100 stage position

[sdozai]

Hi, 

I am new to labVIEW. I am trying to take an image at various positions with the stage so I have to make create an array which I am not sure how to do it. For example, I want the stage to move from 10 ps - 1ps (in 1ps interval),  from1 ps - 2ps (in 100 fps interval) and from 2ps - 5ps (in 1ps interval) then when I run the program it will automatically does according to the array. Any thoughts how can I do this ? 

Many thanks in advance,

sdozai 

[James.M]

Have you downloaded and installed the LabVIEW Driver from their website? Once you have that, try sending commands to/from the device in MAX to test functionality. You need these first steps in order to walk before you can run.

[sdozai]

Hi James,

Thank you for your response. Yes, I have downloaded the drivers from Newport and I can access the vi in labVIEW and I believe the functionality is fine because another group used it before and there was no problem with it. If it not responding, the working desktop that I am using has NSTRUCT so functionality is not a problem.

Thanks, 

sdozai

[James.M]

Well create a program in LabVIEW as a starting point that uses the VIs from the driver. Make the program command the stage to go to a specific point and test that out. There's not much we can do to help until you have a starting point.

[sdozai]

Hi James, 

Thank you for your response. Yes I already did that and I'm only able to test it by myself tomorrow because it already night time over here. Well, my project is to take images of high harmonic generation. I have already made a vi on how the image is taken and now to manipulate the stage, I was told to make a command of instructions like what I did in my first post and create an array out of it. Will it be helpful if I post my vi for you to have a look ? 

Thanks,

sdozai

[James.M]

Yes please. If you're just sending a pre-set array of coordinates to go, and you already have the application set up to go to coordinates when commanded, just create a For loop that runs through each commands and waits for set amounts of time. The fancy way to do this would be to get feedback from your stage to find the current location and make sure it arrives at its destination.

[sdozai]

Hi James,

Thanks again for your kind response and sorry for the delay in response, was having a little trouble on uploading the vi. The place where I am going to create anarray is after the put init icon, also I have used flat sequence structure for the moment because it much easier for me to track back what I have done before replacing it with a stacked sequence.

Thanks,

sdozai

[James.M]

You don't need to initialize the camera or the stage with each loop. You can move that outside of the loop. You also don't need the sequence structure since your data flow should make everything run in order.

There are a lot of different way to set up this VI and you're not really doing it just right, but I'm not sure exactly how you want it to operate. Since you're new to LabVIEW, you could two one of two things. You can stumble through this VI and make it work by adding Wait nodes in there, or you can go research LabVIEW programming techniques to become more familiar with the programming practices. There is a 3 hour video and a 6 hour video on the basics, I suggest you take a look.

[sdozai]

Hi James,

Thanks again for your response. What I want to achieve was say there 5 different stage positions I want to operate and acquiring 20 images at each 5 different positions. In addition, I wish to repeat this process say for another 50 times that why I included the for loop in my vi. The sequence structure was there to ensure that the images will be taken at 1 position at a time. However, I appreciate your time and for your suggestion in helping me. 

Best wishes, 

sdozai