LabVIEW is used in this system to program a supervisor controlling the quality of sand in a career, before filling the trucks after the results of measurements of quality, we will inject a product to improve the characteristics of the sand to neutralize impurities (such as clay for example) and make them suitable for building. This pilot supervises three PLC (programmable logic controller), which each have a dedicated function: a sampler, a analyser and a divider.
LabVIEW : Software for the supervising of the sand quality control
Software for the supervising of the sand quality control

Programmable logic controller

Hardware technology

The excavation and filling trucks is completed by the sampler, analyzer and dozer system, wich is composed of:

  • a PC that monitors and controls the PLCs
  • three PLCs (and their mechanical components they control) linked to the PC via Ethernet:
    • Mitsubishi FX3U
    • Schneider Twido LCAE 40RDS
    • Telemecanique Micro TSX37
  • signal lights for alarms

Software technology

Operating system: Microsoft Windows XP
Supervisor programmation: langage Graphique sous LabVIEW de National Instruments
PC-PLCs communication: OPC servers

How does it work?

The supervisor is able to display PLCs measurement data, and pilote PLCs and save data of the all system. It works in automatic or manual mode. Special machines orders are also available for the operator.

After sand excavation, the sampler takes a small amount of sand that leads to the analyzer. It analyses the sand with various chemical and electronic processes. The results will be given in order to inject a dose of inertant in the sand but upstream. Trucks of 48 tonnes are filled in 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Screenshots of PLC commands panels coded with LabVIEWScreenshots of PLC commands panels

Screenshots of PLCs commands panels

Screenshot of the supervisor history panel

Screenshot of the supervisor history panel

 

Tags: labview OPC DSC serial RS industrial computer PLC programmable logic controller modbus profibus test bench
< Prev   Next >

What is LabVIEW?

LabVIEW LabVIEW is a development environment specialized in industrial and scientific applications. Its uniqueness is that it relies on the G language, created by National Instruments, which is fully graphical. It can create complex software, while facilitating the programming and thus reduce development time. Through its library of functions for data acquisition, instrumentation, analysis of mathematical measures, but also through the rapid creation of GUIs and coding simplified, the engineer has more time to focus on specific functions of the instrumentation communication and measurement analysis.

LabVIEW is particularly suitable for developing control, supervision, test and measurement systems.

What is LabWindows/CVI?

LabWindows/CVI LabWindows is a development environment in C language for the implementation of test systems, measurement and instrumentation. Thus, it is possible to enjoy both the power and precision of the C language but also libraries of functions for instrumentation and signal processing from National Instruments.

With LabWindows / CVI, you can develop:

  • software for Windows (exe) or UNIX Linux,
  • libraries (DLL, Active X,. NET),
  • instrument drivers,
  • on embedded targets,
  • on real-time target.
Système de calibrage de sondes de puits de pétrole

What is Measurement Studio

Measurement Studio pour Visual Studio C++, C# et Visual Basic These are libraries of graphical controls and functions for the rapid development of industrial or laboratory solutions containing .NET technology used directly in Visual Studio, to have power tools National Instruments software and instrumentation functions for C++ , C# or Visual Basic.
Read more...

What is TestStand

TestStandTestStand is a instruction sequences engine and a development environment for creating a test sequencer evolved several common test for different products. We have a generic software that loads, as the test product, sequences specifying actions, tests and tolerances, and components (such as DLLs) for communication with the hardware.