News from NI Developer Zone™ Automationview

Networking Machines Into The Enterprise

While the network may offer The LabVIEW™ 6i benefits to the machine, a Platform Provides network-enabled machine is Powerful Tools for crucial to plugging into the the Manufacturing technical and business enterprise Floor of the company. page 3 For the past 25 years, the personal computer has Distributed Machine revolutionized the way companies do business, Vision – A Networked automating systems and increasing productivity while reducing costs. Now, the Web and Solution for Vision networking are adding a new dimension to the Systems Developers personal computer, giving companies the power to do business on a global scale. With networking page 6 technology, you can remotely view and control a system that is located in another part of the world, or you can monitor the factory floor from your office. An entire business enterprise comprised of databases and resource planning continued on page 4 The Industrial Automation Newsletter from National Instruments 5, Number 3 Third Quarter 2000 Volume AutomationView

ni.com/automation VIEWPOINT

™ News from NI Developer Zone Here’s What e, at National Instruments, know Engineering Group, have also provided that your time is valuable. That’s detailed measurement tutorials in the You Missed... Wwhy we’re making it easier for you different application areas, such as acoustics. • Using real-time control solutions – to keep in touch with the latest in Finally, in the Product Advisor section of the off-the-shelf and easy to use measurement and automation technologies. site, you can search through more than NI Developer Zone at zone.ni.com is your 120,000 products in our 100 product • Getting lower production costs through one-stop source for all your technical categories, such as sensors, pumps, and machine control and monitoring information needs, and now we’ve added valves to help complete your next project. monthly technical newsletters. So whether • Designing and implementing your you want to see technical news or you need Join the Community measurement and automation solutions information for completing that next NI Developer Zone is more than just a with the help of NI Developer Zone automation project, NI Developer Zone is collection of documents and example the site for you. programs. Developer Zone is your link to the ...If You Missed the Last Issue thousands of other developers who are Technical Columns from building PC-based measurement and Check Second Quarter 2000 on the reply card to the Technical Experts automation systems. Through the receive the last issue of AutomationView. For complete coverage of hot technical topics, Developer Exchange area of the site, browse For previous issues, check the appropriate box. you can look to NI Developer Zone technical files submitted from other users around the newsletters. With a strict technical focus, the world or upload code segments yourself to ni.com/reference topics of the columns include DAQ, add to the collective resources in the automated test, software, and LabVIEW. The Developer Exchange. The Developer product development engineers who know Exchange area is also home to some very the most about related technologies bring active newsgroups where you can post your AutomationView these columns straight to you. In addition, questions or comments for discussion. Volume 5, Number 3 Third Quarter 2000 LabVIEW Technical Resource, an industry- AutomationView is published quarterly by leading LabVIEW journal, provides National Instruments. Subscription is free on LabVIEW content, including sample VIs qualification. Please send distribution changes and requests for subscription to Distribution, National and application-specific tips. Instruments. 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The site is the direct link France 01 48 14 24 24 Singapore 2265886 The Measurement Glossary now has between us and you – the instrumentation Germany 089 741 31 30 Spain 91 640 0085 Greece 30 1 42 96 427 Sweden 08 587 895 00 more than 2,000 definitions, techniques, developers and systems integrators working Hong Kong 2645 3186 Switzerland 056 200 51 51 and descriptions of general measurement around the world. India 91805275406 Taiwan 02 2528 7227 topics. You can search for a specific term, Israel 03 6393737 U.K. 01635 523545 use the alphabetical view of terms, or browse John Graff, VP Marketing © Copyright 2000 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved. Product and company names listed are the glossary by application area. Experienced trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. systems integrators, such as Nelson

2 Third Quarter 2000 Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation LabVIEW 6i

The LabVIEW 6i Platform Provides Powerful Tools for the Manufacturing Floor he Internet has undoubtedly changed Connectivity to Plant the way the world does business today. Floor Devices TWe make decisions and act faster than With LabVIEW tools for ever before by seamlessly sharing datalogging and supervisory information across an enterprise and control, manufacturers changing the way manufacturing processes manage and control are measured and automated. networked data across the LabVIEW 6i introduces powerful plant floor. LabVIEW gives new features for building Internet-ready you powerful data and measurement and automation applications. network system In addition to traditional measurement and management tools so you automation capabilities, LabVIEW offers can easily supervise and a range of functionality that includes control your distributed real-time, datalogging, and supervisory and high channel count control capabilities. manufacturing applications. The OPC client interface Internet-Ready Applications provides standardized Control Mixer Process with LabVIEW 6i connectivity to plant floor To share data with other applications for devices, making integration significantly application running on RT Series devices or distributed control or remote monitoring, easier in a multivendor environment and PXI/CompactPCI real-time controllers LabVIEW 6i now offers instant data providing you with more choices in continues to run even if the host PC crashes. publishing from any user interface object. No programming is required, and with only a few mouse clicks, you can quickly With LabVIEW tools for datalogging and supervisory control, connect or publish data to other manufacturers can share data seamlessly across the plant floor. applications or Web pages. In a hazardous or distributed environment, such as a plant floor, selecting hardware and software vendors for With LabVIEW 6i, National Instruments manufacturers may want to distribute your automation system. You can distribute extends Internet and measurement the application execution by moving data in a standard format to clients, functionality available to you through a the acquisition closer to the process and including HMI products and high-level wide variety of powerful tools that can performing the analysis and monitoring business systems, with OPC server increase your productivity on the on another networked machine. LabVIEW capabilities. By providing configurated tools manufacturing floor. can transparently distribute applications for high-channel count data management and share data across a network, even and supervisory control of distributed Stefano Zanetti, Automation Software among different operating systems. For systems, you can keep track of all data Product Manager tighter integration of the application with pertaining to your manufacturing process. the Web, LabVIEW 6i offers improved These tools include full alarm and event For more information on manufacturing report generation tools to publish reports management, built-in security, a networked applications developed with LabVIEW, check in HTML format. database for distributed datalogging, and Industrial Measurement and Control Solutions real-time and historical trending. booklet on the reply card or visit ni.com/info/news Real-Time Control In addition to datalogging and supervisory control capabilities, you can develop time- critical machine control applications with a real-time embedded system. LabVIEW provides easy-to-use tools for deterministic real-time control. With LabVIEW RT, you can develop your control loop in LabVIEW and automatically download the code to run embedded on an independent processor Automated Assembly Verification located on a RT Series board. A real-time ni.com/labview

Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation Third Quarter 2000 3 NETWORKING

Networking Machines into the Enterprise

continued from cover cameras are equipped with built-in Web continuous logging to databases. This servers that can send data to the Web. You can connectivity not only streamlines tools has now reached into the manu- remotely monitor measurement data such as maintenance, but also provides historical facturing floor to improve efficiencies, machine vibration, the thickness of data and traceability for the operation of the making network connectivity a crucial semiconductor wafer layers, and so on, while machine. With a networked machine, you feature of any modern plant. the machine itself executes the task. However, have an easy way to perform predictive While Ethernet and wireless connectivity Web access must be carefully isolated from the maintenance. The machine can either are integrating into the factory infrastructure, real-time execution of the machine control process its own data and alert operators for traditional machines running today system. In some cases, raw data may be sent to scheduled maintenance, or it can send data normally function as isolated stand-alone a higher-level computer that then connects on to a control database. Other computers on equipment. These machines need the a separate network dedicated to serving data the network can access this information and reliability of embedded real-time to other users via the Web. schedule maintenance accordingly. In performance that cannot be interrupted by In order to develop a single unified user addition, you can program networked network traffic. As the pressures and interface to view all the data from multiple machines to send alarms or alert advantages that come from networking networked devices simultaneously, you need notifications to e-mail clients, pagers, and grow, machines are the next logical pieces software that can help manage and integrate more. Another advantage to the networked of equipment that need to integrate into the all the information coming from these machine is that it can communicate peer-to- networked enterprise. With a networked devices. With National Instruments peer with other networked boxes on the system, you remotely monitor and control LabVIEW, you have the capability to real-time network, creating a system of your machines, and the machines share rapidly build a graphical user interface, intelligent, distributed activity from data with other systems. Using networked integrate it with remote I/O from real-time individual nodes scattered throughout a machines, you can also distribute execution, systems, and display it in a unified, useful plant floor or remote sites. streamlining your enterprise. way. The LabVIEW RT built-in Web server National Instruments expertise in distributes machine information to the Using the Network to integrated hardware and software LabVIEW user interface over the Web. Distribute Execution encompasses not only measurement and With LabVIEW RT, you not only In addition, you can distribute the functions control, but also computer technology such remotely view your system’s data, you also of a single machine, running acquisition and as networking. By tapping into our remotely control your system. For example, control separately from the analysis and expertise, you can rapidly build next based on the data you see, you may want to operator interface. For example, a machine generation machines that network and adjust valve states, change operation speeds, dedicated to acquisition, control, and online perform embedded control. With powerful or start a diagnostic sequence from that user analysis easily sends its data to other software such as LabVIEW and open interface. Industry standards such as machines for live data display, data storage, standard hardware platforms such as Microsoft ActiveX built into National and offline analysis. Distributing these tasks PXI™/CompactPCI™, you can build Instruments software provide you with helps increase throughput for the networked machines that publish flexible user interfaces for remote viewing acquisition and control subsystem, while information on the Web, generate reports, and control. From the corporate manager improving quality through the offline connect to the business enterprise, and to the service technician, anyone with the analysis subsystem and making it easier to distribute intelligence and execution for correct security access can view and control remotely monitor machines through the live maximum efficiency and productivity. machines remotely via a simple Web data display subsystem. browser interface. Using the Web to Remotely Monitor and Control Machines A major benefit of networking technology for As the pressures and advantages that come from networking machines is the ability to remotely view grow, machines are the next logical pieces of equipment that machine status and diagnose problems. For example, the machine may be located in a need to integrate into the networked enterprise. hazardous environment, difficult to access, or scattered throughout many locations. Monitoring its performance, safety, and other Using the Network to Share Using LabVIEW RT to Preserve parameters is easier from a networked Data from Machines Machine Reliability machine. In other cases, it is simply more While the Web is a convenient user interface While many machine builders and users efficient and cost effective to perform to your machine, you may want to further recognize the benefits of a networked machine, diagnostics remotely from an office or a home capitalize on the network by sending data to they often find it difficult to implement. rather than having an operator monitor the other systems. With this capability, your Retrofitting existing stand-alone machines may machine or traveling to the site. machines perform distributed report be an expensive proposition that requires both In response to these needs, computer- generation through tools such as Microsoft software and hardware development. In deciding based systems and now devices such as smart Excel and Word on other computers, or on next generation platforms, some engineers

4 Third Quarter 2000 Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation While the network may offer benefits to the machine itself, a network-enabled machine is crucial to plugging into the technical and business enterprise of the company. Companies already recognize the benefits of sharing data within the manufacturing units, as well as with other areas of the company including research and design, and field service to improve quality, efficiency, and ultimately time to market. In addition, networking has made some companies more competitive in customer service. By selectively sharing measurement and automation systems information externally, customers have access to information including systems calibration specifications, repair tracking, shipping status, quality verification, and so on. In many ways, at all levels of an organization from design to the customer, companies now require the flexibility and power may have difficulty reconciling the need for hard running custom LabVIEW code on off-the- of a networked machine system. real-time reliable performance and networking to shelf, ruggedized I/O hardware. This system Connecting subsystems, next generation non-real-time systems. Next generation communicates peer-to-peer with other real- machines, and low-level devices requires a machines that need to network into or with time PXI systems or PLCs on the network, considerable software investment. National other subsystems must continue functioning in and separately shares data with host Instruments LabVIEW, an easy-to-use, real time, regardless of network traffic. supervisory computers that connect to the rest flexible software package, integrates With LabVIEW RT and the RT Series of the enterprise. The PXI controller can also measurement and automation systems with hardware, you have both the reliability of a log current data with the machine itself, while computing technologies such as networking machine running a real-time operating sending historical data to other systems. Next and the Web to help users rapidly develop system and the built-in, easy-to-use Internet generation machines using this architecture next generation systems. The open connectivity of LabVIEW. For example, in gain productivity improvements from using development environment of LabVIEW, building a Windows-based machine, you the network and the Web while building a with its ability to reuse existing code on a can have a LabVIEW application running reliable independent real-time system. If the multitude of different platforms from on Windows performing monitoring, network goes down, the code continues to run Windows to Linux to embedded RTOSs, database connectivity, online analysis and so on the PXI system. When the network comes makes it easy to connect and migrate legacy on, while an integrated RT Series plug-in back, the program seamlessly reconnects to systems. As users are tasked with intelligent board with LabVIEW in an other subsystems to continue sharing data. networking their measurement and RTOS kernel runs the real-time safety Because you develop with LabVIEW, automation systems in many different ways, monitoring and control application. Even if you can build custom intelligence into these they can look to National Instruments the entire machine reboots, the board machines with an intuitive graphical LabVIEW for the tools they need for rapid continues to run the monitoring and programming environment. This includes development and powerful results. control application and seamlessly custom control algorithms, data acquisition reconnects to the host computer once the functionality, vibration analysis code, and Norma Dorst, Real Time Product Manager Windows application is back online. more. Because the hardware and software are You can also use LabVIEW RT to run off-the-shelf, you have the flexibility to scale For more information, check LabVIEW RT brochure embedded on a real-time PXI/CompactPCI these machines to make it easier to maintain on the reply card. system. In this configuration, you have a and retrofit for future technology. dedicated real-time Web-enabled machine, ni.com/labviewrt

Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation Third Quarter 2000 5 MACHINE VISION

Distributed Machine Vision – A Networked Solution for Vision Systems Developers easurement and automation users are have limitations such as lack of processing embracing vision to improve product power, limited networking capabilities, and Mquality and save cost. Because of limited integration with other types of I/O. advances in easy-to-use vision software and powerful processors, two significant Distributed Machine Vision Using PXI technical trends are emerging. National Instruments PXI platform and First, because of its computational power vision software offering addresses the needs of and data bandwidth, the PC has become the distributed vision users and does so at a cost dominant platform for vision. Second, users are that is comparable to a smart camera price. distributing inspection along the production line This distributed vision system consists of a or in the automated test environment using PXI/CompactPCI chassis (10 x 8 x 7.5 in.), network protocols – primarily Ethernet. a controller (233 MHz Penitum MMX National Instruments is addressing both of these processor), a plug-in monochrome board Real-Time Visual Inspection of Recycling Plant trends with a unique offering that meets the (IMAQ™ PXI-1407), a monochrome needs of both distributed vision and PC-based camera, and Ethernet connectivity; in programming language, such as LabVIEW, vision systems developers. addition, the system has the ability to Visual Basic, and C, you can convert your script In the past, intelligent cameras that integrate motion control, data acquisition, into a recipe for your programming language of included a digital signal processor (DSP) for and more cameras. choice. National Instruments offers the ability to scale from configurable to programmable National Instruments PXI platform and vision software offering software development environments. addresses the needs of distributed vision users and does so at a Solutions Ranging from Recycling cost that is comparable to a smart camera price. to Bottle Inspection From inspecting contact lenses for your eyes, to culling blemished shampoo bottles vision processing provided a method for Vision Software from a production line, to sorting garbage distributing machine vision on a production With NI vision software, you can solve vision for recycling, to inspecting automotive line. Along the production line, these “smart applications quickly, using a combination of airbag sensors, National Instruments cameras” performed simple image processing interactive or configurable tools, IMAQ Vision machine vision products are improving functions and then returned the results to a Builder, and programming environments such product quality and production cost. host PC. By using several smart cameras, as National Instruments LabVIEW and Recycling Garbage – Vision is users could distribute processing for Microsoft Visual Basic and C. With IMAQ networked along a recycling system to process relatively simple applications. Users have Vision Builder, you interactively script a plastic waste with a minimum of human typically viewed smart cameras as a solution without programming. Then, if you intervention. Using LabVIEW and IMAQ sophisticated sensor, but smart cameras do need the flexibility and performance of a Vision, the system identifies plastic objects by shape and then separates them from other waste pieces while moving at 2.5 m/s on a National Instruments Distributed Vision System conveyer belt. Data acquisition controls and Feature Specification blows pressurized air to sort parts when they Processor 233 MHz Intel Pentium MMX pass specified points on the conveyer system. Backplane PXI/CompactPCI Pharmaceutical Label Inspection – Chassis 4-slot chassis with universal AC power supply LabVIEW, IMAQ Vision, OCR software, and motion control guarantee accurate Programmable vision software LabVIEW, Visual Basic, C labeling of medical and pharmaceutical Interactive vision software IMAQ Vision Builder products. This application improves Motion control and measurement integration 3 PXI/CompactPCI slots medical companies productivity. System size (does not include camera) 10.12 x 8.38 x 7.50 in. Peripherals 2 serial ports, 1 USB port, 1 parallel port, John Hanks, Vision Product Manager 4 GB hard drive, 3.5 in. floppy drive, SuperVGA For more details on these vision applications, visit Network communications 10baseT Ethernet ni.com/vision Camera and lens Sold separately Deployment system cost Less than $5,000 (U.S. $) ni.com/vision

6 Third Quarter 2000 Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

Lookout™ and FieldPoint™ SCADA System Provides Increased Efficiency for Pilot Plant by Vivek Nayak, President, Vista Technology Inc. System Requirements Using Vista Technology Inc., an Alliance The Challenge: Streamlining, Program member, to design and supply controlling, and automating data monitoring the SCADA system, Nalco installed flow and logging for a continuous reactor. meters for controlling the speed of the feed pumps through a feedback PID loop The Solution: Using National control, and retained the balances as a Instruments Lookout™ HMI/SCADA backup for verifying the flow meter software and FieldPoint™ distributed I/O operation. This meant that the scale system for implementing the readings were fed into the SCADA system. SCADA application. We used National Instruments Lookout HMI/SCADA software and Nalco Chemical Company, the largest FieldPoint distributed I/O for provider of water treatment and process implementing this application. We Easy-to-Use Operator Interface chemicals, services, and systems in the provided all of the hardware installed in a world, operates a large pilot plant facility NEMA 4 enclosure along with a Dell Uninterrupted Process Runs whose research function is process Pentium-based PC. The PC is equipped Because of the intuitive design, we commissioned the system with practically no operator training. Combined with the Nalco has already seen the benefits of the Lookout and accurate automated logging of experimental FieldPoint SCADA system. They have a greatly improved process data and easier data retrieval, we have significantly increased the speed and resulting in much longer uninterrupted process runs. efficiency of this process development research project. development and with a National Instruments 8-port serial For more information, contact Vista Technology scaleup to interface PCI board to connect to the Inc., 200 Bright Ridge Drive, Schaumburg, IL manufacturing balances and to the FieldPoint node, 60194, tel 847-884-1465, fax 815-327-8912, plants. One of the an uninterruptible power supply, and a Web vistatechinc.com, e-mail many pilot plant color printer. [email protected] processes under development uses a User Friendly System continuous reactor, We configured the SCADA system with where reactants are an overview screen, showing the entire fed at multiple process in custom 3D graphics. We fed feed points in the the sensitive balance weight readings, reactor using positive displacement pumps. which are prone to vibration noise, into To ensure accuracy of the reactants flow Lookout using Lookout ASCII object. rates, we placed these reactants on high We control the feed pumps using precision Mettler-Toledo balances. We Lookout PID loop control, and each calculated the flow rates manually by pump has a PID control panel through recording the weight change over time, and which the operator can start and stop the plant operators constantly made flow the pump, operate the pump on manual calculations and manually adjusted the or automatic modes, and change the set pumps to maintain the required flow rates. points and the P, I, and D parameters. Monitoring Various Process Parameters This was a tedious process prone to errors The SCADA system has a utility and constant drifts resulting in large screen for setting alarm set points, disabling fluctuations. In addition, there were more and enabling alarms, starting and stopping than 40 experimental parameters that we the automatic data logger, and setting the needed to monitor and record manually on frequency of data logging. The system a 24-hour basis. To streamline the process, includes several process alarms, the set have better control, and automate data points of which are changed from the monitoring and logging, Nalco decided to utility screen. integrate a SCADA system. ni.com/sucess

Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation Third Quarter 2000 7 DEVELOPMENTS

Dual Channel FieldPoint™ Provides Cost Savings and Expanded Choices or users who require differential analog The analog dual channel FieldPoint modules module-to-module isolation, as well as protective I/O, very low channel count, or a are isolated from module to module and can fuses on the outputs to protect the modules. In Fvariety of single channels, dual channel provide differential analog signals. addition, AC output modules have zero-crossing FieldPoint modules offer advanced features turn-on and RC snubber networks for inductive and more flexibility. They expand National loads. Likewise, the AC input modules feature Instruments distributed I/O line by offering filtering and hysteresis to insure stable and smaller FieldPoint modules – six dual accurate inputs. channel I/O modules per dual channel Dual channel FieldPoint modules have FieldPoint terminal base. 2,500 Vrms input to output isolation, as well as Both the regular 8/16 channel FieldPoint 250 Vrms working voltage isolation. Dual modules and dual channel FieldPoint can channel modules are hot-swappable, which means coexist on the same FieldPoint bank. Dual that while the FieldPoint system is running, you channel FieldPoint modules are installable can eject a module and replace it with another only on a special FP-TB-10 terminal base, one of the same kind, and the scaling and output and up to six dual channel modules fit on The discrete dual channel modules have two values are automatically reconfigured. one FP-TB-10 base. Dual channel analog I/O signal connections per module. Like their modules have 12-bit resolution, and are not analog counterpart, discrete modules are available For more information, visit ni.com/fieldpoint range configurable, which means that separate in different ranges for different modules. The modules input a 0-5 V and a 0-20 mA signal. discrete modules have channel-to-channel and ni.com/fieldpoint SCXI™ – Measurement Ready Signal Conditioning n 1992, National Instruments introduced New Switching Technologies systems. Choose SCXI for your next signal SCXI, the first front-end signal condition- SCXI also offers switching modules for conditioning or switching application. Iing platform for data acquisition. In 2000, programmable signal routing and control of we introduce the next generation of external devices. Choose from general- To learn more about measurement ready signal measurement innovations for this industry- purpose relay modules to control external conditioning, visit our Web site at ni.com/newscxi standard signal conditioning platform. devices or multiplexer switching modules to expand the channel count of your Programmable Modules DMM or oscilloscope. Finally, With measurement ready SCXI modules, use matrix switching modules to you program each channel’s gain, filtering, programmatically route multiple and excitation settings through software test signals to multiple commands, simplifying system measurement devices through configuration and application development. software commands. NIST Traceable Calibration Services New Measurement Solutions National Instruments SCXI modules come With recent SCXI module with a NIST traceable calibration certificate releases, you can measure sound, to offer proof of accuracy. vibration, temperature, position and high-voltage. Direct Connectivity For simplified signal connections, Easier Software Configuration measurement ready SCXI offers more Software improvements simplify connectivity options. You can now attach system configuration. You detect your signals directly to modules with your hardware automatically, and thermocouple, BNC, SMA, and SMB configure each channel through National Instruments introduces new innovations and connectors. For higher channel-density Measurement & Automation measurement capabilities in the SCXI front-end signal modules, we offer rack-mount options with Explorer. This handles all conditioning platform. 32 thermocouple jacks or BNC connectors. scaling automatically. All of these new technologies are compatible with your existing SCXI ni.com/newscxi

8 Third Quarter 2000 Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation DEVELOPMENTS

NI Sound Power System™ Brings Virtual Instrumentation to the Acoustic Chamber or years acoustic engineers struggled with enhanced flexibility and customization. closed instrumentation tools that provided Designed with the acoustic engineer in mind, it Fa limited number of measurements. As is ideally suited for ISO-7779 measurements, as engineers encountered new devices to test, their it produces ISO-7779 certified tests and reports. instrumentation failed to keep pace. Often the Report generation is handled through Microsoft instrument was expensive, and the software was Excel compatible worksheets. difficult to use. Virtual instrumentation-based systems National Instruments brings the benefits provide many benefits. With the availability of of virtual instrumentation to acoustic testing source code, users can make customized by applying modular, reusable instrumentation modifications to fit their system requirements, modules with the latest PC technology. This and the technician-oriented application program combination yields a low-cost, highly flexible makes for ease of use. The system comes with a test system that brings the most recent 100+ page application-oriented manual; further technology within the range of an acoustic training and support information is located on Visit ni.com/acoustics to learn more about the lab’s budget. This new solution from the NI Developer Zone. NI Sound Power System. National Instruments is called the NI Sound Power System. For more information, check NI Sound Power System The NI Sound Power System includes a data sheet on the reply card or visit ni.com/acoustics ready-to-run application program based on to view the system manual and data sheet and LabVIEW. The system’s source code provides download the demo program. ni.com/acoustics Motion System Configuration and Test Made Easy

he latest release of NI-Motion™ has a contouring capability, you new motion configuration can set up a variety of Tenvironment to help you get up and arbitrary motion profiles running fast. This environment is now for different contours and integrated into National Instruments shapes. Application Measurement & Automation Explorer, examples include labeling, which means you easily test and configure laser cutting, and winding. your system without programming. You To give you more configure and test parameters such as limit flexibility when integrating switch settings, motor types, and more. with other National Once you have these parameters in place, Instruments products, such you can save your configuration to use in as DAQ or IMAQ, your applications. With the environment’s interactive panels, you can test two-axis vector moves or circular moves. With your 7344 Series high-performance controller configured for NI-Motion gives you the ability to route open loop stepper motors, you get a preview your encoder pulses directly over the RTSI of what your motion will be before you even bus. NI-Motion 5.0 works with a variety of connect your motors. Even without motors, application software packages, including the two-axis plot or virtual stage displays the Measurement Studio™ and Microsoft position to which your motors move when Visual Basic. they are connected. Download your free NI-Motion software at Contouring Improvements to VIs Contouring and ease of configuration are two new ni.com/motion With Version 5.0 of NI-Motion, you also features of NI-Motion 5.0. have the ability to contour or generate a smooth profile by splining through an arbitrary series of positions. With this new ni.com/motion

Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation Third Quarter 2000 9 ALLIANCE NEWS

LabVIEW Interface Available for Karl Suss Probe Systems loomy Controls, a Select Integrator, With the toolkit, you can make has developed the Suss Interface wafer, microscope, and programmable BToolkit for LabVIEW. With the probehead stage movements, make toolkit, you now can seamlessly incorporate movements to the first die, and step National Instruments LabVIEW into Karl through the wafer map with a click of a Suss manual, semi-automatic, and fully button. In addition, you now can easily automatic probe systems to customize and create custom test system interfaces and automate wafer-level test applications. link to a much wider variety of test The Suss Interface Toolkit for LabVIEW instrumentation to the probe systems has the look and feel of a standard for your specific application. LabVIEW instrument driver with which LabVIEW developers are familiar. With the For more information about the Suss Interface numerous instrument drivers available for Toolkit for LabVIEW, contact Karl Suss, LabVIEW, this toolkit brings a wide variety 228 Suss Drive, Waterbury Center, VT 05677, of instruments and measurement tools to tel (802) 244-5181, fax (802) 244-5103, Karl Suss Probe System the semiconductor industry. In addition, the e-mail [email protected], Web suss.com interface offers fast and easy integration that is a crucial part of the test system based on Karl Suss probe systems. ni.com/alliance Motion Goto! Program Configures Products

iewpoint Systems, a Select Integrator, FlexMotion™ 7344 available for PCI, PXI™, For more challenging applications, you announces the Motion Goto! program and FireWire buses. Small-motor can order a custom motion control system Vto assist customers with the integration applications use National Instruments MID with capabilities expanded beyond the of National Instruments motion control power drives to provide the electrical needs standard configuration and designed to products into complete systems. Through of the motors. Large motor applications that suit your needs. the Motion Goto! program, you can order require voltages exceeding 24 VDC are standard and custom configurations based handled using third-party drives interfacing For more information, contact Doug Femec, on National Instruments motion control to the 7344 motion control card via Viewpoint Systems Inc, 800 West Metro Parkway, hardware and mechanical hardware from National Instruments Universal Motion Rochester, NY 14623, tel (716) 475-9555, other major manufacturers. Interface (UMI). Whether through a MID fax (716) 475-9645, e-mail [email protected], You can choose standard configurators power drive or a UMI, all necessary motion or Web viewpointusa.com/MotionGoto.html or mix and match components to suit a signals are available to National Instruments variety of needs. All standard configurations 7344 motion control cards. begin with National Instruments ni.com/alliance NIWeek™ 2000 Connects People and Solutions

n August 16 to 18, more than 1,500 people To register for NIWeek 2001, visit ni.com/niweek their paper, “Behlen Industries – from around the world gathered in Austin LabVIEW RT Controller” Ofor NIWeek 2000, the Worldwide Best Application Contest Winners Conference on Measurement and Automation. As 114 applications were submitted in the Best Semiﬁnalists – Jeffrey Long from NIWeek grows each year, we have added even Application Contest. Criteria for the contest AutomationWorks, Inc. for his paper, more sessions (more than 100) including more included technical challenge, innovation, and “LabVIEW and IMAQ Pattern Matching advanced sessions, new self-paced activities cost-effectiveness of the solutions. National Control Precision Vision-Guided Motion sessions, and new short courses. We explored how Instruments would like to recognize the Control Machinery Application” to make measurements in this Internet and cellular following winners: Christoph Widmer from Kuhn AG world and get the most out of our products. for his paper, “Replacing a PLC with Make plans now to attend NIWeek 2001! In the Production and Manufacturing LabVIEW and FieldPoint for Composting meantime, be sure to join us for NIDays – Winner – Greg Harasym, Plant Automation” one-day events that are held regionally around Steve Conquergood, and Jeff Aitchitson the world. from Advanced Measurements Inc. for ni.com/alliance

10 Third Quarter 2000 Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation CUSTOMER SOLUTIONS

LabVIEW Motion-Controlled Robot Climbs and Inspects Highway Lighting Towers by Kurt Hudson, Laboratory Engineer, inspection. The robot is Virginia Technologies, Inc. tethered to the ground to provide power, motion The Challenge: Automating and control, and video feedback. improving the inspection of high-mast In the robot controller lighting towers to evaluate structural integrity. prototype, a joystick controlled vertical and The Solution: Creating a PC-based circumferential travel, course robotic crawler and controller for remote corrections, and power, and inspection using motion and vision we displayed video on a hardware controlled with LabVIEW. separate monitor. In the current system, Periodic evaluation of the structural integrity called Polecat Pro, a portable of steel high-mast light poles and other computer running highway utility structures is necessary for the Windows 98 and LabVIEW detection and repair of cracks. Current provides a graphical user inspection processes are completely manual, interface. A FlexMotion™ labor intensive, and cause trafﬁc lane closures. control board and NI-Motion driver servomotors. The LabVIEW-based system also In addition, the manual process is hazardous software provide closed-loop control of the provides continuous velocity control from zero and prone to inaccuracy. servo axes, each of which is equipped with to 5 ft/minute, which means the robot can Virginia Transportation Research an optical encoder. The FlexMotion board proceed rapidly to the inspection site and Council contracted research at University of also senses the status of two limit switches move deliberately during inspection. With the Virginia and Virginia Technologies, Inc. to and controls a digital output line. This line distance-traveled indicator, you can record the develop a mobile robot to provide a more drives a relay to select either vertical or distance traveled to the evaluation area and complete inspection of the pole joint for circumferential motion. We connected all thus accurately document the location of a signs of fatigue, without requiring visual power supplies and drive electronics through captured video image. inspection by an operator. We envisioned a a UMI motion interface. We used an IMAQ Results The Virginia Department of Transportation We realized an estimated 60 percent saving in development time is currently evaluating the Polecat Pro to and cost by using a LabVIEW-based motion and vision solution, supplement current inspection methods. We realized an estimated 60 percent saving in comparison to alternatives. in development time and cost by using a LabVIEW-based solution, in comparison system with both remote visual and PCI-1407 color image acquisition board to alternative solutions. Our next revision ultrasonic inspection capabilities. The robot and NI-IMAQ™ software to acquire video. will include remote camera control to needed to navigate the pole vertically and The LabVIEW application provides enhance the color image analysis of circumferentially to provide full coverage of speed control from -5 to +5 ft/minute as corrosion and fatigue features. Later, we joints in the pole. well as course correction by adjusting the plan to add the ultrasonic transducer for speed of the wheels on each side of the crack and pitting detection as well as an System Design robot. We can adjust acceleration and autonavigation system. Researchers at the University of Virginia turning rate. A live video window is part of developed the mechanical design of the the graphical user interface and contains a For more information, contact Kurt Hudson, Virginia robot. The robot motion is provided by six pushbutton control for saving snapshots to Technologies, Inc., 2015 Ivy Road, Suite 423, servomotors, each driving a wheel that can disk, and IMAQ Vision software provides all Charlottesville, VA 22903, tel (804) 970-2269, be directed to climb vertically or traverse the image display tools needed. e-mail [email protected], Web vatechnologies.com circumferentially. The wheels have magnets to provide friction and keep the robot System Performance attached to the pole. Each axis can articulate With the LabVIEW system, we synchronized individually relative to the robot frame, so the drive motors to start moving at the same that the robot can negotiate obstacles along time, with uniform velocity. This feature the pole such as steps or tapers. virtually eliminates the frequent course An RS-170 video camera attached to the corrections that were required in the prototype front of the robot provides live visual because of the open-loop operation of the ni.com/success

Tel: (512) 794-0100 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com/automation Third Quarter 2000 11 PERIPHERALS

Join us for NIDays 2000 to Get References “PC-Based Turbo Charger Engine Quality Veriﬁcation System,” by Bruce Connected to Technology! A. Ammons and Craig S. Mira A1677A tarting in September and extending to • Distributed Measurement Systems “Automated Tomographic Imaging of December 2000, National Instruments • Monitoring and Control over the Web Glacier Ice using LabVIEW RT,” by Slaunches NIDays – one-day technical • Check out the New Version of LabVIEW Steve Boon A1686A conferences in 73 cities throughout • Tackling High-Channel Count 34 countries. Industry experts highlight Applications in LabVIEW “Replacing a Programmable Logic the advantages of using the Web and • Building a Network-Based Data Logger Controller (PLC) with LabVIEW and networking technologies in measurement • Steps for Success with Vision FieldPoint for Composting Plant and automation applications. • And more! Automation,” by Ch. Widmer and Here are a few of the NIDays 2000 Meet industry experts at NIDays 2000! J. Bienkowski A1675A technical sessions addressing how to increase For more information about the NIDays your system’s performance, lower costs, 2000 event nearest you, visit “Using National Instruments LabVIEW improve systems integration, and reduce ni.com/nidays and IMAQ for Visual Quality Control development time: of a Filling Line,” by F. Serena and L. Vidal A1697A

“Automated Testing of Submersible Pumps with LabVIEW,” by Christopher Keogh A1674A

“Siemens Actuator Test System Gains Flexibility and Compatibility with LabVIEW,” by Thomas Niederberger A1676A

Trade Shows Look for the National Instruments booth at these upcoming trade shows: KOFAS 2000 – Seoul, Korea ...... Sept 1-5 Smart Automation Austria 2000 – Graz, Austria ...... Oct 11-13 S.A.W. Swiss Automation Week 2000 – Basel, Switzerland ...... Sept 5-8 Vision – Stuttgart, Germany ...... Oct 18-20 AADECO – Buenos Aires, Argentina...... Sept 11-15 ISA Show Brasil 2000 – Sao Paulo, Brazil ...... Oct 23-26 ISA Venezuela – Maracaibo, Venezuela ...... Sept 19-21 Design/Control Solutions -– Osaka, Japan...... Oct 25-27 Fieldbus and Network – Milan, Italy ...... Sept 26-27 Computers in Manufacturing – Birmingham, UK...... Nov 7-9 Tekniikka 2000 – Jyväskylä, Finland ...... Sept 27-29 BIAS 2000 – Milan, Italy...... Nov 7-11 MT Austria – Viena, Austria...... Sept 27-29 Electronica – Muenchen, Germany ...... Nov 21-24 General Manufacturing Exhibition – Fukuoka, Japan ...... Oct 4-6 SPS/IPC/DRIVES – Nuernberg, Germany ...... Nov 28-30 Conexpo Literal – Rosario, Argentina...... Oct 5-6 Fieldcomms – London, UK ...... Dec 5-6 Automate Australia – Melbourne, Australia...... Oct 10-12 ELEC – Paris, France ...... Dec 11-15

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