Your opinion please

[Natalie]

Hi all,

I have a National Instruments SCXI-1001 12 slot chassis, 4 SCXI-1102
32 t/couple module and a SCXI-1520 strain module.

I have had virtually no experience in Labview (have had some
programming experience in other) and will be shortly doing the Labview
Basic 1 and the basic 2 course. I'm unsure on how much detail these
two courses go into.

My question is, following these two courses should I be able to build
up a program that will be quick and easy to change the channels to be
logged. Often I have different configurations of channels (never the
same)to set up, could be 100 or so t/couple channels and a couple of
strain channels.

Just thought I might get some ones thoughts and experience who may
have gone though the same in the past.
I ha
ve LV 6.2

Thanks
Nat

[Labviewguru]

Nat,

I would recommend that instead of taking Basics II, or better yet, in addition to it, take DAQ Basics. This is usually offered after Basics I.

However, I believe that after taking Basics I and II you should be able to perform the tasks indicated. I would also look at NIs website for books on DAQ and SCXI. Also get yourself a copy of LabVIEW for Everyone and Power Programming. Great books for the beginner and more advanced programmer.

I hope that helps.

Oh, and enjoy your copy of LabVIEW 6.2, I don't think anyone else in the world has it...I'm sure it was a typo for 6.0.2 though.

Good luck.

[PdB]

In my opinion LabVIEW is a great tool for doing data-logging applications.
About 10 years ago I did a data-logging project using LabWindows (part is rewritten in LabVIEW) that read-in multiple strain and temperature signals.
The tests took months and to limit the amount of data (in those days an issue) I logged the data only after a significant signal-change.
From the input signals you could specify the channels of interest and simultaniously log in 30 logfiles (individual start/stop).
Unfortunately because I used a separate instrument (MAX/SCXI was not around at that time) I cannot help you on that matter.

[Michael F.]

The LabVIEW Basics I & II courses will definitely help you develop your application. Basics I covers working within the LabVIEW environment and generating VIs to perform simple DAQ and Instrument Control. Basics I also covers the Measurement and Automation Explorer, in which you will learn how to define channels with specific configurations. Basics II goes into more detail on planning and creating your project, variables, property nodes, datasocket, more advanced file I/O, and other topics.

If you want to learn about connecting strain gauges and thermocouples to SCXI, you may also want to consider the Data Acquisition Course. This course includes a section on signal conditioning, and you will connect thermocouples and strain gauges to SXCI equipment during t
his section. It covers setting up channels for these sensors, and discusses topics such as bridge completion, shunt calibration, excitation, etc., which are necessary for strain gauge inputs.

So if you already feel comfortable with your SCXI hardware and thermocouple / strain gauge measurement requirements, Basics I & II will definitely give you a good start with LabVIEW. If you need more help with setting up and working with DAQ, thermocouples and strain gauges, I would strongly recommend the Data Acquisition course.

Mike

[Natalie]

Thanks for everyones input, most helpful.

[greenman]

Nat:

The Basics courses I&II are OK for learning about the objects,
functions, and structures in Labview, but it is a "one-size-fits-all"
instruction the same as any other class. Basics I&II is gonna cost
you $2000 dollars. For that much money, you could hire a guru to come
to your place of employment and show you how to write a program,
provided you're in an area where he/she won't have to fly in. You'll
get one-on-one instruction that way, with a direct solution to the
problem at hand.

I did this years ago instead of taking the classes and found (after
eventually sitting through the classes in order to get instructor
certification) that it is a much better way to go about learning
Labview. I got personalized instruction for 3 days for $500/day as
the cons
ultant walked me step-by-step through writing a program that
was exactly what I needed. Plus, he helped me tweak my signal
conditioning gear. When all was finished, I had a very nice
professionally designed program, very good experience, and expert
programming tricks & techniques that I still use almost 8 years later.

gm