What hardware ?

[GeF]

Hi all,

I am working on a new experimental set up for my thesis and I want to control the whole process using LabView 8.

The set up has two chambers each one connected to a capacitance manometer (http://www.mksinst.com/cgi-bin/product.exe?pid=626a) and,  4 solenoid valves (http://www.mksinst.com/pdf/HPSEMCvDS.pdf) to control the flow.

My goal is to open the valves when the pressure reaches a certain value in each chamber using LabView.

So far I have ordered the valves with 24v DC solenoids (1.3 A initial / 0.3 A running) and an external power supply for all of them. For the capacitance manometers I have ordered a Digital Power Supply (http://www.mksinst.com/pdf/Pdr2000ds.pdf) with an Rs-232 interface.

I am very new to LabView and I am not an electrical engineer.

I don't know what hardware I need to connect the valves and the manometers to the PC.

Any suggestions?

Regards,

George.

[Dynamik]

Hi Gef,

      I've used NIs ER-8 (and ER-16) relay boxes,and your current-requirements are within specs for these relays.  Don't know how long they last when switched at 1.5 amps...   You can control the ER-8 with an inexpensive DIO board (DIO24?) - anyway pick the DIO board from the options listed on the ER-8/16 page.

It looks like you may want some analog-input (voltage measuring) capability for your pressure-transducers(?)  If so, you might do both DIO and analog-INs with one multifunction DAQ board... and a mess of accessories for cabling multifunction board to the ER-8 as well as an anaolg break-out box.  I wouldn't do that !  If you need analog-INs, I'd advise a seperate analog board (w/breakout box) and cable straight to the BO-box!

Cheers.

[Jaime Rodriguez]

I would really suggest the Compact Field Point unit. I know there is some special pricing for students / universities, and you can do this rather easily with the CFP 2120 / or 2020 and one or two AIO modules. This way you will have 4 analog inputs for your pressure transducers and 4 analog outs for your soleniods.

Good luck.

[GeF]

Thank you for all your suggestions. I  will go over the product you're suggesting and I'll get back if I have more questions.

Regards,
George.

[Khalid]

Here's a low-cost offering of relay boards..  I haven't used them personally, but have heard of them a lot.. and these guys provide LabVIEW VIs, are present on LabVIEW lists/forums, etc.

http://www.easydaq.biz/

Just in case you're on a tight budget..

-Khalid

Message Edited by Khalid on 04-04-2006 12:11 PM

[Dynamik]

Nice link, Khalid.  Geeze, I could'a saved about $400!

Message Edited by Dynamik on 04-04-2006 07:39 PM

[GeF]

Khalid, we're always on a thight budget here. Thank you very much.


I'll take a look.

regards,
George