Example Software Features

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Below are examples from some of our recent projects that show what can be done in LabVIEW. Of course, the list is not exhaustive - almost anything is possible!

 

Graphing/Charting

There is an infinite number of ways of displaying data on graphs or charts, so for each program, we design the best solution.  The example below has:

  • 2 y-axes (left and right) with the ability to select which parameters are plotted on each (using drop-down menus above each axis).
  • The ability to define the time-frame on-the-fly by use of the scrollbar and "timebase" control
  • Display of "recipe steps" in the coloured bar below the chart
  • Ability to switch to previous ("historical") data and back to "live" data

 Chart Example

 

Recipe Creation and Editing

A process to be run by a system can be configured as a series of steps.  A collection of steps for a complete process is sometimes called a "recipe".  The example below shows:

  • The recipe displayed as a table
  • Buttons for inserting, editing and deleting steps (the insert and edit buttons cause a subscreen to pop up, where the step is defined)
  • Display of recipe "faults", if any.  The faults box is coloured red if there is a fault and saving of the recipe os not permitted until the fault is rectified.  A fault could, for example be the setting of a temperature and pressure that are not allowed simultaneously.
  • Display of key physical parameters in a chart.  As the recipe is altered, the chart automatically updates.

Recipe editing example

 

Timed Operation

Processes or parts of processes can be set to take place at some time in the future.  An example of this is given below. 

Timed Operation Example

 

Mimics and Manual Control

It is often helpful for a system to be displayed as a mimic.  A process can then be run automatically or in "manual mode" or "maintenance mode".  The example below shows:

  • A mimic where in "Maintenance Mode", valves and pumps can be turned on or off by clicking on them (subject to certain interlocks)
  • Clicking on certain more complex items causes a sub-panel to open where several values can be specified (the power supply's pale green sub-panel is shown)
  • Items that cannot be accessed by the user at any given time are disabled (greyed-out) - here, automatic processes cannot be run until the user comes out of "Maintenance Mode" by pressing "Maintenance Disable".

Mimic example

 

Program Configuration

Making a program configurable enables it to be used in many ways (perhaps with many different products).  The example below comes from a program that has over 60 configurable parameters!

Configuration example

 

On-Screen Keyboards for Touchscreens

The On-Screen Keyboard supplied with Windows is often too small for comfortable operation.  A LabVIEW-based alternative is shown below.  Of course, this can be modified in a large number of ways.

 On-Screen Keyboard Example

 

Security and Passwords

Many of our customers require password-protection on certain parts of their programs.  Below is an example fo a log-in screen from a recent program.  There can be any number of "security levels" (although "operator", "engineer" and "administrator" is typical) and passwords may be assigned for each user or for each level.  If left in a high level inadvertently, the software can be made to drop down to the lowest level after a period of inactivity.

Security Login Example

 

Program Navigation

There are 3 mains ways to navigate around a LabVIEW program:

  • buttons (as shown in the 3 previous screenshots)
  • menus (like Microsoft Word up until the 2007 version!).  This is less common in LabVIEW, but we have implemented it occasionally
  • tabs

An example of tabs is shown in the "Mimics" section above, where most of the screen is a large "tab dialogue" structure (with the tabs, in this instance, at the bottom).  It is very easy to navigate with tabs.  Sometimes, one or more tabs may be disabled (or hidden) but in the example above, the user can go to any tab, even when a process is running.  Notice that the sidebar on the right shows key information whatever tab is selected.

 

Simulation Mode

For a number of years, we have written programs that can be configured to run in "simulation" mode or in "hardare" or "real" mode.  "Simulation" mode means that the software generates dummy data rather than accessing any hardware, although otherwise it functions in the same way as hardware mode.  It can be useful for our own debugging and diagnostic purposes.  However, recently we have found that several of our customers are keen on using simulation mode for training and marketing purposes.

 

Use of Excel, Word etc

Communication between LabVIEW and other applications such as Excel, Word, Access and other databases has become increasingly common at LiveWires in recent years.  For example, storage of process parameters/recipes and results in Excel can be very convenient because it allows for easy viewing and analysis of data on remote PCs.  LabVIEW is able to access almost every function in Microsoft Office, allowing complex operations to be performed.