STÄUBLI LABVIEW INTEGRATION LIBRARY
The DSM LabVIEW-Stäubli Control Library is created to simplify communications between a host PC running LabVIEW and a Stäubli robotic motion controller so as to control the robot from the LabVIEW environment.
Stäubli Robots are usually found in the automation industry. The standard Staubli programming language, VAL3, is an adjustable language allowing for a wide variety of tasking. Although the VAL3 language works well in its environment, there are limited options for connecting the robot to an existing PC-based test & measurement system. The LabVIEW language, on the other hand, has been created from the start to run systems found in a research environment. The DSM LabVIEW-Staubli Integration Library lets the user promptly create applications for a Staubli robot using the familiar LabVIEW programming language.
AUTOMATED CRYOGENIC TEST STATION
A test station was built with the intent in mind to automate cyclic cryogenic exposure. A LabVIEW program was inserted to automate the process and collect data. The software featured:
• Checked the temperature of up to 8 thermocouples
• Checked the life status of test specimens twice per cycle
• Automated backups to allow for data recovery
• System was integrated with a pneumatic control board and safety features
TENSILE TESTER CONTROL PROGRAM
This system is able to record high-resolution x-ray imagery of test subjects of aerospace alloys while they are under tensile and cyclic fatigue tests. This capability can improve understanding of how grain refinement is used to enhance material properties. The tensile tester can function in multiple modes of operation. The sample can be fully rotated within the tester, permitting three-dimensional imagery of samples.
DYNAMOMETER TEST STATION
A test station designed to characterize piezoelectric motors was built, with programmable current source and a DC motor integrated into the system to apply a range of resistive torque loads to the tested motor. A torque load cell and a high-resolution encoder were used to measure torque and speed, which is collected at each resistive torque level, forming a torque curve. A LabVIEW project was programmed to run the test. Test settings were configured in the program and data was collected by an NI DAQ card. The program also included data manipulation and analysis.
OPEN-LOOP ACTUATOR CONTROLLER
The goal is to characterize the actuator’s performance in open-loop so that a closed-loop control scheme can be developed. This program can output voltage waveforms as well as voltage steps up to 40V. Voltage duration is programmable down to the millisecond and an encoder is integrated into the system and readings are real time. The encoder features resolution on a micron level and experiences exceptional noise due to the vibrations present in the system. The data is filtered after the test to report accurate, low-noise data.
