scanCONTROL single profile using dual sensor set up with Labview

[DutchAE]

Hi there,

I am trying to configure my labview vi in order to use two Micro Epsilon scanCONTROL profile laser scanners (2710-100) on the same computer. I have previously achieved the data I am after using two separate computers but to save some effort and to make the experiment less cumbersome I am trying to sync them on the one computer. 

I have connected the lasers via the sync cable and then to the computer via a single ethernet cable. 

Running the vi (scanCONTROL 2xxx.lvlib:scanCONTROL_Online_DLL_SingleProfile_2Sensors.vi), only one laser is recognised and I then get the error: General function not available. 

Has anyone had experience or able to help with the set up and procedure to get the two lasers to work?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. 

Cheers.

[ZKami]

Hello,
I have a few questions for you. First of all, where did you get the VIs you mentioned? Are they from the manufacturer of the laser scanners? Without more information about the VI and without a code snippet it's hard to say what is happening.

Also, do you have an error code or more information about the error?

Thanks,

Zofia

[DutchAE]

Hi ZofiaK,

Apologies for the lengthy delay. I was away from work for a number of weeks. 

I have attached the VI that I am using as well as two data files for reference. I must have got the VI from Micro Epsilon (ME). It may have been amongst the various examples that came with the laser upon purchase. However I am not entirely sure as I was given the lasers and the software from my supervisor and have been trying to get the two to work together. For context I am trying to use the two lasers to measure surface displacement (b/t top and bottom) of a steel drum upon heating, see attached images. I have also attached the manual of the lasers from ME.

At this stage I have got them to work together in this VI and producing data (i.e I have essentially resolved the error I was having, I needed to connect each laser to an ethernet switch prior to connecting to my computer).

However, there are now some, what I hope to be simple, customising/configuration questions regarding the labview interface and the data gathered that you might be able to help me with.. 

I am trying to understand/fix the following:

1)  How do I go about changing the settings in the VI interface for each laser to a preferred value? and how do I prevent them from changing back to the current values that are set each time I actually run the VI?

NOTE: current default settings are:

measuring field = large, 1

points per profile = 640

exposure time = 40 ms

No. of profiles  = 5 per/s

This needs to be determined in order to optimise the lasers for this particular application and may help prevent some of the errors that may be occurring, including any issues with labview inherently effecting the results by slowing down my computer (note: it was mentioned that this could occure and may be a reason behind the two different point/profile values mentioned below).

2) I feel that the 2710-100 (top laser) and the 2750-100 (bottom laser) have different file sizes because each has a different number of points per profile (see data), I am trying to determine why? 

      - despite each laser being set to have the max number of points per profile (640) the 2710-100 consistently has 528 ish and the 2750-100 has the 640 ish?? This is despite the manual saying that each has a max value of 640 points/profile for each laser. It may have something to do with the the profile frequency which varries according o the man? pg. 16 of attached doc. 

3) Is there a way to ensure where each of the lasers are being seen in the interface? i.e can we change something to ensure the top laser (2710-100) is always present at the top of the interface to prevent confusion and ease of data tracking?

Might be a way to ensure the laser IP for the top laser remains in the sensor 1 position (top of the labview VI interface)..

4) What is the difference between the No. of profiles/s on the left part of the VI interface and the Profiles/s read out on the right of the VI window when the VI is running? I had been setting 5 on the left, thinking I was setting 5 Hz but then the reading that is returned when actually using the lasers (on the right) is 24.5 profiles/s..? 

[ZKami]

Hello DutchAE,

Just so you know, it might be good to contact Micro Epsilon. They will likely understand the VIs and equipment they built much better than anyone else. 

However, one thing I can help you with is saving defaults.
You can either right click on a control>>Data Operations>> Make Current Value Default.
You can also do this for the whole VI by going to Edit>>Make Current Values Default. 

[SimonAldred]

From past experience with multiple ethernet based sensors I would be tempted to run each device separately into its own ethernet port. You will need to configure the IP addresses of each ethernet port the same way that you would configure a single port - i.e. on the same sub net. Since I started doing  this I have had far fewer problems with cameras not being seen.